Patricia Highsmith Books In Order

Publication Order of Ripley Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Patricia Highsmith is a great writer who did wonderful job in her career by writing several books that motivated and educated most of her readers. Patricia Highsmith was born on 19th January 1921 in Fort Worth, Texas in the United States and passed away on 4th February 1995 while staying in Locarno, Switzerland when she was 74 years old. She was an awesome American novelist and also did short stories. She began her writing as from 1950s until the time she passed away. Her real name at birth was Mary Patricia Plangman. She was the only child of the late Jay Bernard Plangman who lived as from 1889-1975. The mother was known Mary Coates who lived as from 13th September 1895 to 12th March 1991 who divorced before their child was born. Her mother later went back to Patricia Highsmith’s grandmother where she born. In 1927, the mother together with the step father moved to New York City. The step father was known Stanley Highsmith who was an artist like the biological father. They stayed in Manhattan but later left her parents to go back to New York. She also lived in Astoria Queens. Her grandmother taught become her teacher at an early age as she taught her how to read. She took advantage of the extensive library that the grandmother owned to improve on her reading and writing skills. Patricia Highsmith resented her step father largely as he had pressured her mother to get rid of her before being born, something which her mother did not agree on. This love-hate relationship continued and she did not manage to resolve it by the time the step father died. This haunted her for the better part of her life and it inspired her to write a short story known as “The Terrapin”, a fiction book about a young boy who caused the death of his mother by stabbing her. Her life was somehow complicated and troubled because she was an alcoholic and never engaged in an intimate relationship for quite long. She loved cats and snails. This made her bred about over 300 snails in home garden. She was described as cruel, hard, mean and unlovable person. She never bore any child since she was never married. In her late years, she suffered from cancer and aplastic anemia which claimed her life by the age of 74 years.

Her novel genre were about psychological thriller, suspense and crime fiction. Most of her subjects touched on violence, insanity, murder and obsession. Her literary movement was the modernist literature. Some of her notable books are “The Ripliad” and “Strangers on a Train”. Her first novel was published in 1950. Her estate that she left behind was about $3 million and it supported her in producing her first book in the 1940s. The latest novel that was entitled as “Small g: a Summer Idyll” was published just after death. The first two books she wrote were done in 1950 and 1952 respectively. The books were known as “Stranger on a Train” and “The price of Salt” which was also published as Carol. The latest book that its publication came after a month of her death was done in 1995. It was known as “Small g: a Summer Idyll”. These are some of the recognized books among the long list of her books. She was very creative and wrote some of the best fiction books that are now read world-wide. Her books are always available online where you can either choose to buy or read the book online. The books are also available locally at the nearest bookshops or libraries. Get a copy of her books and you will definitely love them.

Strangers on a train

This is the genesis book that was done by Patricia Highsmith in her writing career. The book is a psychological thriller novel and was published in 1950. It has a total of 281 pages, hence you can always read it just a couple of days. The protagonist character in the novel is known Guy Haines who was an architect. He married Miriam who was unfaithful and he therefore wanted to divorce her. He looked forward to marry Anne Faulkner, the woman that he loved most. On his way to visit his wife, he met Charles Anthony Bruno in the train. Charles was psychopathic guy who introduced the idea of exchanging murders. This therefore implied that, Bruno would kill Guy’s wife, Miriam if Guy would kill Bruno’s father. Through this, the police would not suspect any of them because neither of them would have such motives. Guy never took the proposal seriously, but Charles Bruno went ahead and killed Miriam while Guy was far from home. Guy was hesitant to inform the police when he learned that Bruno had killed his wife. He knew that Bruno would accuse him of participation in Miriam’s death due to the plans they had with him. The longer he kept this for himself, the worse it became for him.

This is just an overview of the thrilling story that happens in the plot. This, therefore, leaves many unanswered question that you can only answer when you read the entire book. Get it today and you will really love it.

The Price of Salt

This is the second novel that was done by Patricia Highsmith. The book comes just two years after her pioneer publication. It was therefore published in 1952 and it is also under the title Carol. It is a romance novel which is inspired by a woman who is blond in a fur coat that she met shopping in a department store where she worked as a sales clerk in temporary terms. It has two publication that was done in 1952 and later revised in 2004. The main character in known as known as Therese Belivet who was a young but lonely woman who started her adult life in Manhattan. She was very eager to commence her career as a designer of theater set. She lived with her widowed mother who sent her to a boarding school in Episcopalian when she was a young girl. This made Theresa feel abandoned. To console herself, she started dating Richard whom she never loved. Due to this, she never wanted to make love to him. She met a woman named Carol Aird who after socializing, they became friends. Theresa however, did not know how to handle Carol as Richard accused her of playing with his feelings but she knew very well that she fell in love with Carol.

To continue reading the book, you need to find her copy of the book. They are readily available both locally and online.