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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I adored Carol for it´s themes, the fantastic description and development of a nonheterosexual relationship and the context of the time it was published, when writing a book like this still evoked some controversy. But in the end I couldn´t help but feel like it´s just a ´pretty good book´. I had some trouble connecting to the characters, though I was rooting for their happiness. I know that listening to this on audio book, which took few weeks, and not always giving the story my full attention affected the reading experience. Everything that wasn´t straightly related to the main relationship went kind of unnoticed. Yet I´m really glad this book was written, that Patricia Highsmith had the courage to write it and give the story an ending it deserves. I´m also interested in seeing the movie adaptation (part of the reason I really wanted to read this) as the cinematography seems stunning.
Review can also be found in Chill and read
We have met Patricia Highsmith as a writer of mystery books, ones that keep the reader hooked to the book till the very end. This is one of her main characteristics, as whatever she is up to, she fulfills to the very end with professionalism and totally devoted to it. Having that said, let’s get to the story!
It is the early 1950s. A young woman, lives in New York City, in a very small apartment one she can afford with her job at a department store. Her profession, stage designer, cannot yet pay the bills, as she has not found a real job yet, but she is working on maquettes to display at job interviews. She is having an affair with Richard, a painter, not a very promising one.
One day near Christmas, at the doll department that she is working at the store, arrives a very dynamic blond woman that captivates her eyes at first sight. She is elegant and classy in her mink. She is looking for a doll for her daughter and Therese, the young woman, finds the right one!
They fell in love instantly and they travel across the states followed by a private investigator, hired by Carol’s husband, soon to be ex-husband. The two women set their path and get to know their feelings along the way.
Full of emotions and agony on how it will progress, how the relationship will progress, the book is not only a projection of homosexual relationships back in the 1950s, but also a true picture of the America back in the days. People do not feel free to express themselves. Something like that would be very embarrassing, as those are degenerated people that would influence others surrounding them. This prejudice may still exist in conservative North America.
Highsmith had just published “Strangers on a train” and sold the rights to Hitchcock, a book that had marked her as a suspense novel writer. The publishers were eager for more mystery novels. Now with “The price of salt” she thought that she would be marked as a lesbian novel writer. Furthermore, her publisher was not willing to publish this book. This ended up to changing publisher, something that Highsmith hated, and publishing this book under the pseudonym “Claire Morgan”. Despite the many taboos, the book was very successful when it went on paperback and Highsmith was receiving many letters from people with concerns similar to the book’s.
“Carol” the other title that the book was published later on, was made into a movie in 2015 by acclaimed filmmaker Todd Haynes. Carol’s character is impersonated by Cate Blanchett and Therese’s character is impersonated by Rooney Mara.
To have a taste, check out the film’s official page.
We have met Patricia Highsmith as a writer of mystery books, ones that keep the reader hooked to the book till the very end. This is one of her main characteristics, as whatever she is up to, she fulfills to the very end with professionalism and totally devoted to it. Having that said, let’s get to the story!
It is the early 1950s. A young woman, lives in New York City, in a very small apartment one she can afford with her job at a department store. Her profession, stage designer, cannot yet pay the bills, as she has not found a real job yet, but she is working on maquettes to display at job interviews. She is having an affair with Richard, a painter, not a very promising one.
One day near Christmas, at the doll department that she is working at the store, arrives a very dynamic blond woman that captivates her eyes at first sight. She is elegant and classy in her mink. She is looking for a doll for her daughter and Therese, the young woman, finds the right one!
They fell in love instantly and they travel across the states followed by a private investigator, hired by Carol’s husband, soon to be ex-husband. The two women set their path and get to know their feelings along the way.
Full of emotions and agony on how it will progress, how the relationship will progress, the book is not only a projection of homosexual relationships back in the 1950s, but also a true picture of the America back in the days. People do not feel free to express themselves. Something like that would be very embarrassing, as those are degenerated people that would influence others surrounding them. This prejudice may still exist in conservative North America.
Highsmith had just published “Strangers on a train” and sold the rights to Hitchcock, a book that had marked her as a suspense novel writer. The publishers were eager for more mystery novels. Now with “The price of salt” she thought that she would be marked as a lesbian novel writer. Furthermore, her publisher was not willing to publish this book. This ended up to changing publisher, something that Highsmith hated, and publishing this book under the pseudonym “Claire Morgan”. Despite the many taboos, the book was very successful when it went on paperback and Highsmith was receiving many letters from people with concerns similar to the book’s.
“Carol” the other title that the book was published later on, was made into a movie in 2015 by acclaimed filmmaker Todd Haynes. Carol’s character is impersonated by Cate Blanchett and Therese’s character is impersonated by Rooney Mara.
To have a taste, check out the film’s official page.
dark
emotional
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I watched the movie first but I recommend reading the book too if you liked the movie. Many of the details are different but the story as a whole is still generally the same. It was interesting reading Therese's thoughts, especially about Carol, because I often think that she is quite unreliable. Also cool to get her thoughts at all because I often found her thinking a bit unclear in the movie. There are obviously valid criticisms of the book but I found it really interesting to read about lesbians from the POV of the past (like actually written then). Makes me feel lucky that I live today, even though things aren't perfect. Really glad they got a happy-ish ending that still felt realistic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
This book is the source material for the movie Carol. First published in 1952, the story is about a lesbian romance narrated in the space of around 3 months.
The literary significance of the book is that in a time where homosexuality was a sin, a sickness and a crime across all layers of society (with many still stuck in there today), it delivered a happy ending for the protagonists relationship, which was contrary to most literature at the time.
The story is driven in good part by the emotional and psychological development of the main characters.
A fascinating part of it is the reflection of life at the time, where TV is a rarity, using coins to use the radio at your hotel room, or sending a telegram (texting) were common.
The literary significance of the book is that in a time where homosexuality was a sin, a sickness and a crime across all layers of society (with many still stuck in there today), it delivered a happy ending for the protagonists relationship, which was contrary to most literature at the time.
The story is driven in good part by the emotional and psychological development of the main characters.
A fascinating part of it is the reflection of life at the time, where TV is a rarity, using coins to use the radio at your hotel room, or sending a telegram (texting) were common.
Great book! I especially loved the ending. Beautifully written story.