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( first, read the SYNOPSIS, TABLE OF CONTENTS and/or SAMPLE PAGES on amazon.co.jp, amazon.co.uk and amazon.com )

Having read The Talented Mr Ripley before this, one's impression can only be "Highsmith has done it again". At least in my case, I didn't once put the book down, and read through.

In contrast to "The Talented . . . "--which had Ripley providing all the action--this one has an otherwise-boring character with an otherwise-mundane life, ending up sharing the stage with Ripley, but with no less remarkable results.

The brilliance is displayed in two ways. One, keeping the reader constantly-engaged in the present and looking forward to the next action. And two, a writing style that provides a vivid view of the very minds of the the three characters -- Ripley himself; the man who was until then a stark contrast if not opposite to Ripley's personality but nonetheless acting in the situtation not much differently from Ripley himself; and the wife.

More than a pleasure to read. A worthy experience of peering into the not-quite-neatly-defined goings-on in human souls.

英語（文法だけではなく、表現や文化的ニュアンスも）が得意な方向きです。
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Having read The Talented Mr Ripley before this, one's impression can only be "Highsmith has done it again". At least in my case, I didn't once put the book down, and read through.
In contrast to "The Talented . . . "--which had Ripley providing all the action--this one has an otherwise-boring character with an otherwise-mundane life, ending up sharing the stage with Ripley, but with no less remarkable results.
The brilliance is displayed in two ways. One, keeping the reader constantly-engaged in the present and looking forward to the next action. And two, a writing style that provides a vivid view of the very minds of the the three characters -- Ripley himself; the man who was until then a stark contrast if not opposite to Ripley's personality but nonetheless acting in the situtation not much differently from Ripley himself; and the wife.
More than a pleasure to read. A worthy experience of peering into the not-quite-neatly-defined goings-on in human souls.