I saw the film so I read the novel again —and boy I’m happy I did. There had been many years since I last read Highsmith and I had almost forgotten how good she was; now I think I’m going to come back and re-read all of hers. It’s my humble opinion that just a handful of novelists are in her league, in regard to the construction and development of tension, the understanding of the human psyche, and the subtle manifestation of the looming confrontation between man and society.
Read it and tell me if Vic’s character isn’t one of the most complex ones you’ve ever come across with.