Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
guys… that was life changing and dare i say better than the movie…
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it
I don't have a whole lot of articulate thoughts about this one. I thought Therese was annoying and the imbalance of power in the relationship was uncomfortable to read. Fans of the movie might like it as they are very similar.
Definitely 4, maybe 4.75…. I want to give it a 5 simply for being a book about gay women who get a happy ending in a time when nobody wrote about gay people getting happy endings. It’s slow in parts, but Highsmith’s writing delivers (even outside the thriller genre). I’ll have to watch this genre defying movie soon!!
The film is a festive favourite, so I was glad that Highsmith's writing is such that I never really thought of Todd Haynes' movie at all. My Therese wasn't Rooney Mara, Carol wasn't Cate Blanchett, but film and novel share a beautiful, literary essence, they both stand apart and together as wondrous works of historical romance and longing.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After watching Carol for the fifth or sixth Christmas season in a row, I decided it was time to read the novel. I enjoy the film, but every time I watch it, I'm left wanting to know just a bit more about the the characters. The novel certainly delivered in that sense - a little more about what drives Therese, some backstory for both her and Carol, more of Abbey, a version of Carol that feels more raw (and more mean!) than in the film.
The pacing is slow, and at times felt like rambling, but overall the narration is solid and I didn't find the style too hard to get into. There are a few encounters that (to me) felt kind of bizarre and pulled me out of the novel for a sec, but ultimately did not go on long enough to make me not want to keep reading. The last fourth of the book feels like it goes on for longer than it absolutely has to, but the ending remains incredibly satisfying.
I found Therese's devotion to Carol or anything Carol-adjacent early in the novel really frustrating, but enjoyed that we get to follow her through some hard-earned growth. And as mentioned above, Carol is a meaner, moodier, far less patient character in the novel. Though, given the setting and the time the novel was written, and what Carol's dealing with throughout the book, it makes a lot of sense. Absolutely not saying she has to be likable, just saying that I was a little surprised at first.
The pacing is slow, and at times felt like rambling, but overall the narration is solid and I didn't find the style too hard to get into. There are a few encounters that (to me) felt kind of bizarre and pulled me out of the novel for a sec, but ultimately did not go on long enough to make me not want to keep reading. The last fourth of the book feels like it goes on for longer than it absolutely has to, but the ending remains incredibly satisfying.
I found Therese's devotion to Carol or anything Carol-adjacent early in the novel really frustrating, but enjoyed that we get to follow her through some hard-earned growth. And as mentioned above, Carol is a meaner, moodier, far less patient character in the novel. Though, given the setting and the time the novel was written, and what Carol's dealing with throughout the book, it makes a lot of sense. Absolutely not saying she has to be likable, just saying that I was a little surprised at first.
read for book club, shy gay, unique narration style but I liked it I think
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I... I um... I'm struggling to review this. I think I may possibly kinda sort of really maybe love it but on the other hand I very possibly hate it. I mean, Carol, kind of a bitch, no? Waving her red flags** all up in poor Therese's face. And, at the risk of the hisses from the wider and more judgemental reading community, I'm really glad I watched the film first otherwise I don't think I could have followed much of what was going on. Seriously, what's with the wacky style there, Highsmith? Exhausting. But at the same time, it was gorgeous. The scene setting. The 50s backdrop. The pacing of the last 70 pages. The ending. Delicious.
That three stars is going to bug me though. Really it deserves one star but also five. I don't know.
** she's patronising, her mood swings gave me whiplash never mind poor Therese, she's vague then gets angry when poor Therese doesn't know what the fuck is going on and she makes her feel like she's not good enough because she has the cheek to be young.
That three stars is going to bug me though. Really it deserves one star but also five. I don't know.
** she's patronising, her mood swings gave me whiplash never mind poor Therese, she's vague then gets angry when poor Therese doesn't know what the fuck is going on and she makes her feel like she's not good enough because she has the cheek to be young.