Well, let's just say there is no question Highsmith could write, but I've yet to find a book by her (other than her cat stories, that is) where I can at least empathize with a single character -- and to state that I didn't enjoy watching an alcoholic psychopath destroying the life of a weak idiot who should have known better would be the understatement of the year. I'm in definite need of a palate cleanser now.
I don't think "empathy" was high on her list of things to make her readers feel. To be honest, I am not convinced "empathy" was even on the list. (Except maybe for The Price of Salt...)
And I think the fact that Highsmith actually wants her readers to feel anything from contempt to aversion towards her characters encapsulates my problem with her writing. Because that's not what I'm looking for in a book. I don't mind if there is no character that I particularly like or would want as a friend or can actively root for, but in a book where -- like here -- I'm revulsed by *every single* character (well, with the possible exception of Ann), the enjoyment just goes out of it for me and I'm beginning to wonder why I'm even bothering to finish the book.
I could -- sort of -- stick with Ripley because although a psychopath, he's also a charmer and unquestionably intelligent (but even there, I doubt I'll ever read the Ripley sequels).
And I'll take a look at "Carol" ("The Price of Salt") next, as it's at least a different type of story. But I wouldn't rule out that I'm going to call it quits on Highsmith, or at least her novels, after that. I did like the short stories by her that I've read, so maybe that will be a better way to go for me when it comes to her writing.
I really cannot recommend the sequels. I'll end up reading the rest of them but only because I'm a completist.
As for her other books, they do follow the same line of creating characters that are absolutely horrible. (Tho, come to think of it, Cry of the Owl has a main character that isn't a total waste of space, but...) So, if that's not something you want to read about, then there is no point of putting yourself through any of them.
C/Price is different but even there I would say you're not in for completely sympathetic characters.
And I think the fact that Highsmith actually wants her readers to feel anything from contempt to aversion towards her characters encapsulates my problem with her writing. Because that's not what I'm looking for in a book. I don't mind if there is no character that I particularly like or would want as a friend or can actively root for, but in a book where -- like here -- I'm revulsed by *every single* character (well, with the possible exception of Ann), the enjoyment just goes out of it for me and I'm beginning to wonder why I'm even bothering to finish the book.
I could -- sort of -- stick with Ripley because although a psychopath, he's also a charmer and unquestionably intelligent (but even there, I doubt I'll ever read the Ripley sequels).
And I'll take a look at "Carol" ("The Price of Salt") next, as it's at least a different type of story. But I wouldn't rule out that I'm going to call it quits on Highsmith, or at least her novels, after that. I did like the short stories by her that I've read, so maybe that will be a better way to go for me when it comes to her writing.
As for her other books, they do follow the same line of creating characters that are absolutely horrible. (Tho, come to think of it, Cry of the Owl has a main character that isn't a total waste of space, but...) So, if that's not something you want to read about, then there is no point of putting yourself through any of them.
C/Price is different but even there I would say you're not in for completely sympathetic characters.