Reviews - Carol | The StoryGraph

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4.13k reviews for:

Carol

Patricia Highsmith

3.96 AVERAGE

mvmckenzie16's review against another edition

3.0

i liked this, but some strutural parts were confusing (why is salt introduced only at the end? when did therese get back to chicago?), and everyone in it needs like ten therapists.

dodopruna's review against another edition

3.25

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mfoxbaba78's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Stars- Slow burn of a novel. 1950s NYC. Mommy issues. Jealousy. Lesbian road trip across the USA good times. So.Much.Driving. Is this room bugged? A child named Rindy (i love the way that name rolls off the tongue). Go away, Richard! Dumb divorce detective doofus. Gun! Lots of cigarettes + copious cocktails. Plus beer. Strong women who know their own minds, yet are unable to overcome being penned in by societal expectations. Disappointment. Resentment. Love. LOVE.

An exploration of love: what is it? what does it feel like? what, if anything, does it mean? are we obligated to love those who love us? can love be strong enough to overcome societal restrictions? unrequited love. parental love. filial love. love love.

I really liked the ending. Oh Therese and Carol *lights a cigarette and takes long drag*- maybe I'll give this book 4.75 stars...

susannah_spangles's review against another edition

4.0

I love the darkness and precision of Highsmith’s writing. This meandered a bit to start with but about halfway through picked up the pace and I really enjoyed it. It has an alternative title which is The Price of Salt, which I prefer because salt is a metaphor for making life interesting. And how far will people go to do that? Is it worth the price? Very satisfying.

brittanieshey's review against another edition

3.0

A slow, subtle book. It seems like not much happens, and when it does, what's happening is obscure. More than anything, this seems to be a book about power imbalances in relationships. There is a melancholy there too, as you can feel Therese's doubt and insecurity throughout. I wish it would have ended differently, with Therese finding her power and moving on from the relationship older and wiser, but I guess she found a different kind of power — in being free to be who she was sexually and openly.