Party down: Vietnam’s Communist leaders meet

In 'Strangers on a Train', Patricia Highsmith crafts a gripping narrative about Guy Haines, an architect, and Charles Bruno, a wealthy socialite, who form an unlikely bond on a train. Bruno proposes a sinister plan to swap murders, which Guy initially rejects, but Bruno's actions soon entangle Guy in a dark game of cat and mouse. The novel explores themes of psychological tension, moral ambiguity, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

Patricia Highsmith's "The Price of Salt", published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan, is a groundbreaking lesbian romance novel. It tells the story of Carol Aird and Therese Belivet, two women who fall in love in 1950s New York. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and societal constraints. Highsmith's sensitive portrayal of a same-sex relationship was revolutionary for its time. The novel's exploration of love and its challenges resonates with readers even today. The Price of Salt is considered a landmark work in lesbian literature.

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a 1955 novel by Patricia Highsmith that follows Tom Ripley, a young American con artist who travels to Italy to persuade Dickie Greenleaf to return home. As Ripley becomes increasingly obsessed with Dickie's lifestyle, he commits a series of crimes to assume his identity. The novel explores themes of identity, morality, and the blurred lines between reality and deception. Highsmith's portrayal of Ripley as a charismatic yet amoral character has captivated readers and inspired numerous adaptations.