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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
A pretty interesting read, especially because (as I understand it) it's one of the first pro-gay novels where the characters triumph in the end. Odd to think of how controversial this could have been in the 1950s. Also, there making a movie out of this so soon you'll be seeing everyone on the train reading it so you might as well go ahead.
M'ha agradat més del que em pensava; es llegeix fàcil i està ben escrit. El llibre gira al voltant de la relació entre la Therese (narradora) i la Carol, totes dues personatges molt ben construits. En el seu moment va ser un llibre innovador i provocador, però a dia d'avui ha perdut aquesta gràcia. Li costa una mica arrencar però el final és bo. La traducció té alguna patinada.
Patricia Highsmith describes the awkwardness and clumsiness of intimacy better than perhaps any other writer I’ve come across. Small gestures, like fleeting eye contact, unanswered questions and subtle changes in facial expressions create chemistry and sexual tension out the wazoo. To use a big cliche, it’s a master-class in less-is-more.
It’s romantic without seeming idealistic; while the characters constantly fantasise about their future, the novel never loses its insight and (to use another cliche word) humanity.
It’s romantic without seeming idealistic; while the characters constantly fantasise about their future, the novel never loses its insight and (to use another cliche word) humanity.
A beautiful tale of a first true love… how nice to read a coming out story from the 50s, when society was far from accepting people of the LGBTQ community. The writing was beautiful, the characters relatable, and the emotion thorough and real. I loved it.
I wish I had read the book before seeing the film. Whilst the film did a brilliant job of portraying the tension between all the characters and seemed to capture the enigmatic but cool Carol and eager, young Therese, the book focused more on the inner feelings of the characters without relying on the need to portray the most intimate scenes - which are written without detail but with acute subtlety, and that is a strength of the book. It is the intensity of the feelings, the sense of new and aching love, that makes the book a worthy read. Considering the time period and the (even now) still-changing attitudes toward gay relationships, this is a ground-breaker. Carol and Therese's relationship intensifies on their road trip west, and as they feel that they are freer to pursue the feelings they have, the plot twist threatens to destroy all of that. Therese is able to say 'no' to convention, despite a persistent boyfriend, and Carol knows she will have to give up everything if she wants to pursue Therese. The outcome is one that I didn't really expect, even in the film.
Required reading for book club.
I have high standards for romance and I really enjoyed this. Yearning = HIGH. Burn = SLOW. Patricia Highsmith filled this with gems of insight on love and life. The character arcs were intense & true to life. I love a lost young woman finding her place in the world. Bonus points for grappling with identity and love. And I loved the ending soooo much. A beautiful story with beautiful characters.
I have high standards for romance and I really enjoyed this. Yearning = HIGH. Burn = SLOW. Patricia Highsmith filled this with gems of insight on love and life. The character arcs were intense & true to life. I love a lost young woman finding her place in the world. Bonus points for grappling with identity and love. And I loved the ending soooo much. A beautiful story with beautiful characters.
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Carol was a bit of a dick but I still think she deserved better.