Crime fiction in autumn

I am currently reading Ripley Under Ground, Patricia Highsmith's second novel featuring antihero/villain protagonist Tom Ripley. Highsmith is not a crime fiction author I go back to very often, in fact this is the third novel of her I decided to read, but she is always enjoyable. And I have been wanting to go through her Ripliad for ages. Anyway, happy coincidence, but it is the third crime fiction I read in a row set in autumn. I don't read crime fiction in autumn,not until November anyway. Before, I read horror stories. Like I mentioned in April, it is nice to see the autumnal atmosphere applied to a different genre, and also to get in an autumnal mood months before my favourite season.

Mr Ripley for #Noirvember

 As it is still #Noirvember for a little while, I thought I would make another reading suggestion. It struck me that The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith would make an excellent read for this month. I've read it a decade ago, after I had developed an obsession with its movie adaptation. I must confess, I actuallyprefer the film to the novel. But both are perfect for #Noirvember, especially if you like a good Hitchcockian thriller and if you like a story following the perspective of a villain protagonist. I actually watched the movie two years ago for the occasion. I never get bored with it.

The thrill of the first pages

I finished reading The Talented Mr Ripley today, on the train to work. I might be spouting clichés here, but there we go anyway: I always have difficulties finishing a book, whether it is a fun read or a boring read. The boring ones I cannot bring myself to read them quick enough, the ones I love I finish them with regret. Highsmith's novel was an enjoyable read, even though I still think I preferred the movie.

But that means that on the way back, I could read another book. I decided to read Trois Carrés Rouges sur Fond Noir by Tonino Benacquista. (Sorry for the French links, but I cannot find info on him or his novels in english right now). Benacquista has always been a great read, making quality crime fiction with loveable human characters, a fair deal of violence but just enough of literary quality to make the book a smart read. I only read the first few pages, but it already appears like it is quality stuff.

I will spout another cliché: I love the first few pages of a good book. I don't think anything can beat the thrill of the first few pages, when you know you made the right choice and that the plot will be great. Nothing might have happened yet, but the stage is set. That is partially why I come back to Benacquista, Pelecanos and of course Burgess: they all make great start.

Fighting boredom

Sunday being Sunday, and first day of August being well, August, I could easily get bored today. Enjoying free time is not always such an easy thing. I get too tired and demotivated to spend time doing something tedious (house chores, more house chores), yet I don't want to be inactive. I have been doing okay so far, having a list of things entertaining enough, yet being not too demanding for the lazy person I am at weekends to be considered farniente activities. So I decided to:

-Watch an episode of The Wire. (Still to be done. I am on season five right now, almost sad that there will be no new episode to watch after that.)
-Read the novel I am currently reading. Bookworms have no excuse to be bored, unless they run out of reading material on their bookshelves.
-Have a drink at the café in the corner with my wife. Not our favourite place, but an interesting place nevertheless and it makes a nice change.
-Discussing/planning the next fun move/activity/relatively near future with wife. In a way that is often more entertaining than anything else.

Italy on my mind (again)

It happens from time to time, I get a longing for a specific place. Maybe it is because my brothers are away travelling and I envy them even though I was on holidays recently and will be again relatively soon. Anyway, from time to time I want to see Italy again and now is one of those times. Maybe it because I am reading The Talented Mr Ripley, which is mainly set there. And I have a confession to make: so far I prefer the movie to Patricia Highsmith's novel.

I haven't been for ten years and I feel like I saw too little of the country. And I want to improve my Italian. I know too little and want to become trilingual before I die. Of course, I would not be as useful to my wife in Italy as I am in French speaking countries, but the little I know could help us get by and I can learn more there than here.

Lullaby for Cain

Another piece of music from The Talented Mr Ripley. You don't see that often music working so well in a movie. The opening credit song, Lullaby for Cain, is particularly haunting.

Tu Vuo Fa l'Americano

Here is a clip from The Talented Mr Ripley, a movie I absolutely love. And yes, Cate Blanchett is in it, but that's not the only reason. It's a brilliant psychological thriller, a beautiful period piece, in a gorgeous setting, a setting that actually fits the plot. I know they are very good actors, however I have never been a big fan of Matt Damon, Jude Law or Gwyneth Paltrow (she stole her Oscar in 1999, stole it I tell you!), but they surpass themselves and all play brilliantly. That's a brilliant movie. Anyway, if you like Italian songs (I do, sometimes), you have to appreciate the mélange des genres here. Anyway, here it is: