Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train differs significantly from the Hitchcock film July's choice at the Tyneside Book Club was Patricia Highsmith's Strangers on a Train.
And nobody was able to cheat by just watching the Hitchcock film, as the source novel is very different.
The basic premise though remains the same - two men meet on a train, and one suggests a pact - if I murder your estranged wife, you could kill my father. The makings perhaps of the perfect crime.
Members did find that initial set-up compelling, And there's no doubt Highsmith builds tension and even in this early stage of her writing career, she is a fine storyteller. But some were not completely persuaded that all characters would have acted as they did. Some suspension of disbelief then was needed.
The group found villain Charles Bruno, a compelling presence, and with Highsmith getting chillingly and effectively inside the mind of a psychopath. Some of the most effective writing involved Bruno at his worst. The disintegration of Guy's personality and life was also well-drawn.
But many members did feel this made it a stressful - and even at times unpleasant read. Some who had read more Highsmith thought that her style developed further in her later Ripley novels.
Hitchcock made some significant, and perhaps understandable, changes to turn the book into the film, but one member who'd seen both, said she now preferred the novel. Highsmith certainly produced a book worth discussing, with some members keen to read more of her work.
The club welcomed new member Joy on the night. August sees the club's anniversary meal, and a discussion about Anne Tyler's family saga A Spool of Blue Thread.
And nobody was able to cheat by just watching the Hitchcock film, as the source novel is very different.
The basic premise though remains the same - two men meet on a train, and one suggests a pact - if I murder your estranged wife, you could kill my father. The makings perhaps of the perfect crime.
Members did find that initial set-up compelling, And there's no doubt Highsmith builds tension and even in this early stage of her writing career, she is a fine storyteller. But some were not completely persuaded that all characters would have acted as they did. Some suspension of disbelief then was needed.
The group found villain Charles Bruno, a compelling presence, and with Highsmith getting chillingly and effectively inside the mind of a psychopath. Some of the most effective writing involved Bruno at his worst. The disintegration of Guy's personality and life was also well-drawn.
But many members did feel this made it a stressful - and even at times unpleasant read. Some who had read more Highsmith thought that her style developed further in her later Ripley novels.
Hitchcock made some significant, and perhaps understandable, changes to turn the book into the film, but one member who'd seen both, said she now preferred the novel. Highsmith certainly produced a book worth discussing, with some members keen to read more of her work.
The club welcomed new member Joy on the night. August sees the club's anniversary meal, and a discussion about Anne Tyler's family saga A Spool of Blue Thread.
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