The Patricia Highsmith BBC Radio Collection

The definitive collection of dramatisations and readings of Patricia Highsmith's finest fiction. A master of the psychological crime genre, Patricia Highsmith is most famous for her quintet of best-selling Ripley novels, and her groundbreaking thriller Strangers on a Train (notably adapted as a classic film by Alfred Hitchcock). The five Ripley BBC dramas can be accessed separately, on this page: https://archive.org/details/TTUBBCR4 This extensive collection encompasses some of her best-known works, as well as selected short stories. Included here are dramatisations of Strangers on a Train (starring Anton Lesser, Michael Sheen, Saskia Reeves and Bill Nighy); Patricia Highsmith's compelling tale of obsession, The Cry of the Owl (starring John Tharian, Adrian Lester and Joanne McQuinn); and the dark, intriguing domestic noir A Suspension of Mercy (starring Stuart Milligan and Janet Maw). Highsmith's tender, unsettling lesbian love story Carol is abridged and read by Zoë Wanamaker, and there are abridged readings of her short stories 'The Dangerous Hobby', 'Variations on a Game' (both read by Campbell Scott) and 'The Trouble with Mrs Blynn, the Trouble with the World' (read by Anna Massey). Five more unabridged stories, 'The Cries of Love', 'The Snail-Watcher', 'The Breeder', 'Notes from a Respectable Cockroach' and 'Goat Ride', are read by Helen Horton, John Webb, Garrick Hagon, William Hootkins and Crawford Logan.

Exploring the Dark and Intriguing World of Patricia Highsmith

Dive into the captivating and twisted world of Patricia Highsmith with the audiobook collection from BBC Radio 4. This definitive collection brings together dramatizations and readings of Highsmith's finest fiction, showcasing her mastery of the psychological crime genre and her iconic anti-hero, Tom Ripley.

At the heart of this collection are the five plays chronicling Tom Ripley's journey from small-time conman to cold-blooded killer. With Ian Hart portraying the enigmatic Ripley, listeners are taken on a thrilling and chilling ride through The Talented Mr. Ripley, Ripley Under Ground, Ripley's Game, The Boy Who Followed Ripley, and Ripley Under Water.

Highsmith's classic thriller, Strangers on a Train, is also brought to life in a gripping dramatization featuring a stellar cast including Anton Lesser, Michael Sheen, Saskia Reeves, and Bill Nighy. The collection further explores Highsmith's dark and complex narratives with adaptations of The Cry of the Owl and A Suspension of Mercy, both filled with tension, obsession, and suspense.

Listeners are treated to an abridged reading of Highsmith's tender and unsettling lesbian love story, Carol, expertly narrated by Zoë Wanamaker. Additionally, selected short stories such as 'A Dangerous Hobby', 'Variations on a Game', and 'The Trouble with Mrs Blynn, the Trouble with the World' offer glimpses into Highsmith's mastery of the form, narrated by Campbell Scott and Anna Massey.

Beyond the fiction, the collection includes insightful programs such as Looking for Ripley, where crime writer Mark Billingham delves into the enduring fascination with Tom Ripley, and A Passionate Affair, exploring Highsmith's own relationship with her iconic character. Desert Island Discs offers a glimpse into Highsmith's personal life as she shares the soundtrack of her life with presenter Roy Plomley.

Overall, the audiobook collection "Patricia Highsmith" by BBC Radio 4 is a must-have for fans of psychological thrillers and crime fiction. With its stellar performances, gripping narratives, and insightful explorations of Highsmith's work, this collection provides a comprehensive and immersive experience into the world of one of the genre's most acclaimed authors.

Rating: 5/5

Genres: Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Drama

Language: English (US)