Patricia Highsmith was 29 when this, her first novel, was published. It's hard to believe it's a first novel because not only is it polished it also has the misanthropic outlook of a older, more jaundiced, writer. I listened to this book through fm libro where the profits go to a local bookstore of your choosing. It was read by Bronson Pinchot who did a great job.
I'm sure you know the plot from the Hitchcock movie if not the novel. Two men meet on a train. One is the spoiled son of rich parents, the other is an up and coming architect (in the movie he's a tennis player). The spoiled son, Bruno, gradually gets the architect, Guy, to confess he's in a loveless marriage and eager to be rid of the woman who is recently pregnant by another man. Bruno introduces the idea that they should each murder the person standing in the way of other man's path to happiness. (Bruno has a father he can't abide and who sees through his son's profligate ways).
Guy basically forgets the man and his idea until his wife is murdered at an amusement park. Then the game is on and he must either shake off Bruno, eager to have his part of the bargain met somehow or murder his father.
After finishing the book, I watched the movie. Each had certain strengths. This was one of Hitchcock's best films. It's much more fast- paced than the book and he uses so many interesting techniques to fill you with dread. Making Guy a tennis player provides for one of the best scenes too. However the book looks into each man's psychological makeup more fully. Both mediums are very good and worth investigating. Robert Walker, in particular, makes a perfect Bruno. He died not long after this film from a bad reaction to a drug. He was 31.
10 comments:
I can only take Highsmith in small doses, but she was a master at moral ambiguity.
I like both the book and the film, Patti, although do have differences. Of course, I'm a fan of Hitchcock's work, but still... And I really like the premise for this story.
Like Margot, I liked the novel and the movie. And, as Jeff points out, moral ambiguity was the key aspect of Highsmith's work.
I agree on Robert Walker, who was perfect in the role. His son (Robert, Jr.) looked very like him. I must have missed it that he died last December.
I've read two or three raves for different books that Bronson Pinchot has narrated lately.
I would never have guessed this was him. I think PH likes to show how easily people can turn dark if their interests are served by it.
I'm a big fan of the movie. Can't remember if I ever read the novel or not. I know I have read very little Highsmith.
Having had another day to think about it, I think the novel gives too much detail on their thought processes. The movie told you nearly as much about them through actions and clever technique. There were several major changes though.
And, of course, something to be considered is that Bronson Pinchot's reading also influenced my take on it. Audiobooks are not quite the same thing, are they?
I've read a number of Highsmith's novels, including the five Ripley books. My favorite is an early effort called "The Blunderer". I read "Strangers" a few months ago and found it somewhat draggy. Shortly after I read it the movie popped up on TCM and I saw it for the first time in years.It's a real improvement over the book.
Yes, it is a bit draggy. You are right.
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