When I read in the news about Joran van der Sloot it’s hard not to remember a novel I read, oh so long ago.
The Talented Mr. Ripley, a thriller revolving around the personality of a young American and wannabe socialite in Europe, is among Patricia Highsmith’s finest novels. When I read it in 1985, it was at an era during which – unlike today – life passed without many daily visual obstructions; there was no Internet, no cellphones, TV had horrible programs (it still does) and the Cold War was still raging.
Somehow, reading about the murderous inclinations of a young man who manages to control his emotions and perform the “perfect murder” was a leap away from all those Agatha Christie novels; where the murderer is uncovered in the end, having made one too many mistakes.
Joran van der Sloot managed to do just that, and despite his many mistakes he was able to utilize the legal system to his benefit for several years. A young man, without having as much as finished college, he seemed to perversely enjoy his fortunate fate; unlike that of Natalee Holloway whom he most likely killed or murdered.
Ironically, on the very 5th anniversary of Natalee Holloway’s murder, perhaps by extrapolating his guilt, anger and clear signs of self-destructiveness, Joran van der Sloot apparently committed yet another crime. The body of Stephany Tatiana Flores Ramirez was found in remote Peru, with multiple stab wounds that denote struggle, perhaps against a failed date-rape attempt using pills.
Unlike psychological novels, however, this is real life.
Joran van der Sloot is an un-talented Mr. Ripley, no matter how much sympathy is left in those that support the notion of “innocent until proven guilty“. The personality, acts and apparent disrespect towards human life of this Dutch man will most likely be used in future literature and movies, web sites and online debates.
Speak Your Mind