Dickie Had it Comin’ – The Talented Mr. Ripley and Its Adaptations

We’re truly in the golden age of book adaptations but move over, Reese Witherspoon, Patricia Highsmith is the reigning queen. Tune in to listen to Renee, Ashley, and Mariquita thoughtfully and hilariously discuss the 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, as well as the 1999 film, and the new Netflix series. They compare and contrast the three texts, dive into the enduring themes of queerness in each, why the book withstands the test of time, Matt Damon vs. Andrew Scott, and all the aspects they loved in the latest series. Finally, they attempt to answer the question, “What the hell is Mr. Ripley’s talent anyhow?”

Books/Resources Mentioned:

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999 film)

Ripley (2024 Netflex series)

The Guest by Emma Cline

Sociopath by Patric Gagne

Mindhunter (TV series)

Sugar (TV series)

Bad Sisters (TV series)
The Tragedy of Macbeth (film)

Support this episode’s hosts and guests: 

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Follow Ashley: Instagram // Twitter // Website

Today’s episode is sponsored by Thank You, More Please by Lily Womble from Legacy Lit and The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent from HQ Digital, an imprint of HarperCollins. Thank you to our sponsors for supporting independent feminist media.

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This episode was edited and produced by Renee Powers on the ancestral land of the Dakota people.

Original music by @iam.onyxrose

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Renee Powers

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Renee Powers founded Feminist Book Club in 2018 to provide a space for intersectional feminists to learn, grow, and connect. When not reading or running the biz, you can find her drinking coffee and trying unsuccessfully to teach her retired racing greyhound how to fetch. Favorite genres: feminist thrillers, contemporary literary fiction, short stories, and anything that might be described as "irreverent"