This is one of this year's BEST reads. Not only do you get a revealing look at what makes the writer of Ripley tick, you also have a wonderful history of gay life in the 1950's ... plus the trials of two writers living together. Meaker is funny, honest, and truly moving in her observations then and now about the writer and the woman, Patricia Highsmith. It made me want to read a lot more of Meaker's works as well as rereading Highsmith ...