About a year ago, I discovered the "Most Read Authors" feature on GoodReads. I discovered two things that bothered me: 1) James Patterson was in my top 10 most read authors & 2) the first female author appeared in the 25th spot (J.K. Rowling and only because there were 7 Harry Potter books). This book marks the important shift that there is now a female author in the top 10 (Patricia Highsmith) and Mr. Patterson moves out of the top 10. Who needs professional sports when I can deal with my own book stats (e.g. books/pages per year, most read authors, etc.)? I had hoped to push myself further with the inclusion of female authors in my normal reading projects, but I need to still work on this. I'm simply drawn to these ridiculously prolific male authors, so I'm probably reading 3 books written by men for every 1 book written by a woman. Two key goals reached with this book, but more work to do. I'll spend some more time with Patricia Highsmith, but will work on some other authors first.Anyway, about the book…This is the 16th Highsmith book that I've read. Definitely fits well in her wheelhouse of fugue-like examinations of psychological aspects of broken humans trying to make a go of life. The key difference with A Dog's Ransom was in the number of core characters and the shifting prominence of the characters through the course of the novel. Highsmith tends to cycle through the core issue/scenario over and over, continuing to explore the deeper ramifications for the characters. I appreciated that the expansion of the number of characters decreased the feeling of repetition. But, the ending felt tacked on, like she was done with the story and just needed to close up this bit of messy business (that knocks this down a "star"). I wish this GoodReads edition included the image of the cover because the cover of the first edition is quite nice.FYI - Here's my new top 10 "most read authors":Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake): 28Stephen King: 26Donald Westlake: 22Lemony Snicket: 21The Believer Magazine: 20 (actually this should be 81, but not all issues listed on GR)K.C. Constantine: 17Dave Eggers: 17Haruki Murakami: 16Donald Hamilton: 16Patricia Highsmith: 16
This book was especially interesting given the recent Gov. Spitzer scandal. The main character, Clarence, is a goody goody newby cop who gets pushed into being bad and then finding himself in the hands of his colleagues. All of this because of a kidnapped dog. This is supposed to be a social satire but, I think it falls a little short really. It is odd that the cop, Clarence, is so moved by the plight of a middle-aged couple whose dog has been kidnapped when there are rapes and larcenies that need his attention. I don't really find it humorous the attachment of the couple to the dog especially since they lost their young adult daughter in the previous year (she was hanging out with a rough crowd). I really don't feel that their reactions or actions to be extreme. Luckily they get resolution soon enough and look forward to moving on with their life, but Clarence cannot let go of their situation and a stupid decision he made. As a result he drags the couple and his girlfriend through a giant mess. I have enjoyed Highsmith's Ripley series but I may think twice before picking up a stand alone again. I do agree with one GR reviewer's observation that it rambles and ends abruptly leaving the reader unsatisfied.
Do You like book A Dog's Ransom (2002)?
It kills me to write this. If A Dog's Ransom had been written by some two-bit writer ... If I'd merely picked up the book at a flea market without expectations instead of seeking it out ... If I hadn't read and loved the works of Patricia Highsmith in the past ... well, maybe I'd rate the book a tad higher.But it was disappointing. Dull. Redundant. The ending left me feeling nothing.I still adore Ms. Highsmith and will seek out another of her works I've yet to read. Or perhaps I'll return to the Ripley tales for a spoonful of sugar.
—Caroline
Published in 1972, A Dog's Ransom was heralded by the press at the time:"Highsmith edges her readers toward the insane territory inhabited by . . . readers are sure to be left feeling by turns startle, oppressed, amused and quest." New York Times Book Review"No one has created psychological suspense more densely and deliciously satisfying." VogueThe theft of Reynolds' dog is the instigating incident that precipitated the collision of the lead characters and placed them in their moral quandary. The theft is the door that opens to reveal the lives of desperate, nuanced characters. Highsmith expertly anchors the book in that present time with dialogue, dress, and references to current events of that day. When the murder is committed and the remaining characters must live with the knowledge, she crafts their lifestyles, world-views, and range of emotions and thoughts in a way that builds suspense.
—Dana Jennings
Highsmith's prose is simple and unadorned. It is almost like a reading primer for adult learners sometimes; but the content is far from simplistic. A middle aged couple's beloved poodle is kidnapped; a twisted outsider escalates his hobby of writing poison pen letters to those he considers unfairly priviliged; a confused young policeman tries to find meaning, love and honour. It all comes together in a stark, uncompromising narrative where innocence has no place. It also makes an interesting companion piece to a couple of Simenon novels: Dark Snow and The Fate Of The Malous.
—Jayaprakash Satyamurthy
