Reviews - Carol | The StoryGraph

4.13k reviews for:

I enjoyed this. The slow tension between Carol and Therese was lovely. I haven't seen the movie but definitely will to see if it's faithful to the book. I remember reading that it has an happy ending and while nobody dies or anything like that, losing custody and not being able to be with the person you want to be doesn't strike me as a happy ending. I feel kind of bitter sweet, that's the right feeling I guess.

kaykayhoo's review against another edition

3.0

Very different style than that of the "usual" Patricia Highsmith I am accustomed to. I knew "The Price of Salt" is a love story between two females. The subtleness of the love passing between the two ladies is beautifully written. Highsmith was such a versatile author and I was surprised how sentimental she could be. Homosexuality was an unwelcoming and a taboo subject in the 50s. The pain Carol experienced to choose her freedom to love was heart-wrenching. "A Price of Salt' no doubt is a excellent period literature, and Highsmith was way ahead of her time to touch on such a delicate matter.

I can't say I enjoyed reading "The Price of Salt" as much as my love for Highsmith's famous thrillers but it is a well-written novel regardless. The movie adaptation, "Carol," captured the love of the two ladies very well. In fact, I think I love the movie better than the book. :)

canolaaoil's review against another edition

4.25

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

nekootti's review against another edition

4.25

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

genevieve_rice's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

bonnie_the_book_lady's review against another edition

5.0

All the feels, elated to despondent. Therese is at a mediocre place. Her boyfriend is privileged and predictable. He dapples with art, but everyone knows what future is mapped out for him. Therese is underwhelmed. She is fresh from school with aspirations of set design. She is selling dolls at a high end NYC department store. Christmas is upon them. Suddenly, in walks Carol. Therese feels curiously jubilant and overwhelmed. As fate would have it, they meet again and again and again. Carol has a small daughter and a pending divorce. The plot is predictable enough. But this was the first queer book where no one dies. It was ground breaking. The mood and tone were exquisite. I am almost speechless.