Published by Random House, 2013
Thompson’s biographical novel successfully unravels the mystique surrounding a man the world mainly sees as offering up only a buffet of oddities. Yes, the author’s style is straight-forward and unadorned, so those who lean more towards fan of history are more apt to enjoy the authorial flair (or lack thereof). Thompson goes in mainly chronological order from LeRoy’s young life, interspersing “Believe It!” factoids throughout the chapters in a celebratory nod to the “strange and brilliant” Ripley.
Some may question Thompson’s method of delving into the less savory aspects of Ripley’s life, such as his hasty and ill-advised first marriage, his regular romantic dalliances, and his rather rampant alcoholism. These foibles (or major flaws, as the crow flies) are what make Ripley ours, part of our American seam, instead of an unreachable cartoonist (the most popular man in America at one time) to whom no one can relate.
All in all, A Curious Man is worthy of reading to find out the man behind the oddities that so fascinated and continue to fascinate our general public. A rather extensive index is included (brilliant move on Thompson’s part).
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