Tom Ripley is a character who starts off by scamming people in New York. One day, he is approached by Herbert Greenleaf, a wealthy man who mistakes Ripley for a friend of his son, Dickie. Dickie has been living a lavish lifestyle in Europe with his friend Marge but is needed back home due to his mother’s illness. Herbert offers Ripley an all-expenses-paid trip to Italy to convince Dickie to return home. Ripley, a man with a mysterious past and a talent for adopting new identities, travels to Italy and befriends Dickie. The story takes a dark turn as Ripley’s true intentions are revealed, leading to a shocking climax.
Patricia Highsmith’s novel, “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” has been adapted into various films and TV series, with actors like Matt Damon and John Malkovich portraying the complex character of Ripley. In the audiobook version, the actor David Menkin skillfully narrates the story, capturing Ripley’s deceptive nature and the tension between him and Dickie. The audiobook is available for 9 hours via Little Brown Audio.
For listeners interested in more audiobooks, Anne Michaels’ “Held” offers a multi-generational story set after World War I, exploring themes of trauma and love. Werner Herzog narrates his memoir, “Every Man for Himself and God Against All,” recounting his journey from a humble childhood to becoming a renowned film director. These audiobooks provide a diverse range of narratives and experiences for listeners to enjoy.
