Friday, November 13, 2020

FFB-DEEP WATER, Patricia Highsmith

Vic and Melinda Van Allen are a decade into a loveless marriage. Although Vic certainly feels something for Melinda (pride in ownership probably), Melinda is scornful of everything about Vic except his money. Vic tolerates lover after lover, determined to keep her and their family intact at almost any cost. Melinda makes no attempt to hide her affairs, even bringing the men home for dinner. 

We can't feel much sympathy for Vic though and feel even less when he begins to get rid of Melinda's lovers. 

This novel tests the idea whether you can be interested in a story with no one to root for. Even their six-year old child is spoiled and shows signs of being like her mother.  It didn't really work for me because I never understood why Vic tolerated Melinda's behavior. It never gave us enough of his background, or even Melinda's.  It is amusing at points but it's a queasy sort of amusement you feel. 

I believe this novel is going to be a movie starring Ben Affleck. He should be a perfect Vic.

9 comments:

Margot Kinberg said...

I'd like to see the film adaptation of this one, Patti! It sounds like a good 'un. I've always liked Highsmith's skill with weaving atmosphere, but I've not read this one. I ought to...

George said...

Like Margot, I like Patricia Highsmith's sinister sensibilities. I binged on Highsmith back in the 1970s but I occasionally go back and reread her work. I'm sure I have a copy of DEEP WATER around here somewhere. Our AMC theaters opened a few weeks ago and now--with the Covid-19 spike in Western NY--they have all closed down again. No new movies for months!

pattinase (abbott) said...

Desperate times.

George said...

Patti, Dr. Gale Burstein, Commissioner Erie County Department of Health, is advising everyone to limit attendance at Thanksgiving and to "hunker down." Things look worse with the coronavirus numbers climbing each day. Yes, there's a vaccine on the horizon but a lot of people aren't going to make it until then.

Jeff Meyerson said...

Pass on this one. We've recently stopped watching shows without any sympathetic characters or, at least, someone you can care about. I think of the David Hare/Hugh Laurie ROADKILL was more than four parts, I would stop watching it. I get enough of this crap just reading about what is going on in the "real" world.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I found it difficult to finish.

David Cranmer said...

I find a lot of Highsmith either incredibly rewarding or I don't finish them. I've never found any in-between.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Interesting. I think that is true for me too. I have several I just never warmed to.

TracyK said...

I have not tried anything by Highsmith except STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, although I plan to read the first Ripley novel. This one sounds very challenging, especially with no characters to care for. That isn't necessary but it helps.