Despite having seen numerous film adaptations of her work, I had never, until now, read a Patricia Highsmith novel. The Talented Mr Ripley was one of the adaptations I'd seen, but it was so long ago that it felt like I was coming to the story with fresh eyes. Highsmith writes in a style that I particularly enjoy. Despite writing in third person, Tom Ripley remains the sole perspective character, and his sociopathic nature permeates the text. No matter his actions, one cannot help but love Tom Ripley. Although in the text he describes himself as unremarkable, he is incredibly charming and intelligent, and the reader desperately wants him to get away with his crimes. The prose is gripping yet uncomplicated, and as we are reading from the perspective of a criminal, the pace and the motivation of Ripley are not bogged down by a need to generate mystery. I will definitely be reading the rest of the Ripley series and more of Highsmith in general.