Manipulators

I’ve begun reading The Talented Mr. Ripley and am finding the character, Tom, very interesting in a ‘look at that crime scene’ kind of way. I only vaguely remember the movie, but so far the story of the novel is about a small time con artist, and very charming man Tom Ripley being sent to Europe by the father of a friend of his, in order to convince that friend to come home to America and be with his ill mother. Tom, who barely remembers this friend, is able to somehow steer the conversation in such a way that his expenses and ticket are paid for by the father.

So far, Tom has been working his way into the friend, Dicky’s, life, and watching him do it is very entertaining. Something about manipulative people is interesting to me, maybe because it’s a skill I don’t perceive myself as having, or being able to use with a clear conscience. Tom, however, is not a cold, calculating manipulator, but an emotional, spontaneous one that sometimes doesn’t even seem to realize what he’s doing.

I vaguely remember from the movie where the story ends up (I think) but am excited to find out how it gets there.