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serenedancer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Overall it was well written, but I couldn't get into it. I liked the characters and the relationships were good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
frantically's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lesbian yearning this, lesbian yearning that, where is the PLOT
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking, and Lesbophobia
mysimas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
Carol, a sister book to Forster’s Maurice.
Maybe it was me, maybe it was the book, but the prose, although beautiful, sometimes confused me. A lot of the first half was also kind of a blur for me, most scenes didn’t really stand out or apart, though I felt quite charmed by the overall feel.
Therese’s growth was beautiful to witness and reminiscent of aforementioned Maurice or even Pride and Prejudice. Carol did some growing of her own, too, and she was one of the more convincing love interests I’ve encountered in fiction.
Definitely a book I would like to reread, this time carefully looking for the paralels as well as the uncanny synchronicity of thought that Carol and Therese seemed to display at times.
Last but not least, shoutout to the worst line ever and the pretty great one that followed right after:
Maybe it was me, maybe it was the book, but the prose, although beautiful, sometimes confused me. A lot of the first half was also kind of a blur for me, most scenes didn’t really stand out or apart, though I felt quite charmed by the overall feel.
Therese’s growth was beautiful to witness and reminiscent of aforementioned Maurice or even Pride and Prejudice. Carol did some growing of her own, too, and she was one of the more convincing love interests I’ve encountered in fiction.
Definitely a book I would like to reread, this time carefully looking for the paralels as well as the uncanny synchronicity of thought that Carol and Therese seemed to display at times.
Last but not least, shoutout to the worst line ever and the pretty great one that followed right after:
The milk seemed to taste of bone and blood, of warm flesh, or hair, saltless as chalk yet alive as a growing embryo.
It was hot through and through to the bottom of the cup, and Therese drank it down, as people in fairy tales drink the potion that will transform, or the unsuspecting warrior the cup that will kill.
(Seriously, I almost wept at the contrast.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Abandonment
Moderate: Fatphobia and Stalking
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
To explain my warnings a little: Abandonment — relates to Therese’s childhood history which later resonates with the events of the book. Homophobia — a characteristic of the society at the time, some of the characters display hate. Carol and Therese do not suffer from prominent internalized homophobia. Fatphobia — occurs mostly in the first half of the book. Could be argued for as a characteristic of Therese’s, from which she eventually starts to grow. Stalking — does not happen between Carol and Therese, or in a romantic context, and is not portrayed as a good thing. Suicidal thoughts — a very brief reflection of Therese’s that spans all of two lines.s_snape_hbp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Outing
sydneybedell's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
bethvance's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
sarahbw2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
savvylit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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? Yes
5.0
The back of my copy of The Price of Salt has categorized this book as a mystery. It is decidedly not a mystery - though most of Highsmith's best-known work did fall in that genre.
Instead, this book is a beautifully portrayed love story written and set in an era when such a thing was considered 'perverse' and criminal. Published in 1952, The Price of Salt is so much more than a sensually described romance, though.
The Price of Salt is:
. an atmospheric look at life as a young woman in mid-century New York City
. a dark revelation about the difficulties of being a queer woman in the early 50s
. a road trip epic
There were two aspects of this story that made it a 5 star read for me:
1. How Therese's love for Carol feels so palpable. After reading the story, I discovered that the book is considered semi-autobiographical. By drawing on her own experience and feelings, Highsmith made reading this love story feel so realistic; almost to the point of near-voyeurism.
2. The setting was delightful and transporting. Highsmith has so deftly captured the styles and mannerisms of the era: red polished nails, unfiltered cigarettes, classic cocktails... Fans of 50s style will adore these details.
Instead, this book is a beautifully portrayed love story written and set in an era when such a thing was considered 'perverse' and criminal. Published in 1952, The Price of Salt is so much more than a sensually described romance, though.
The Price of Salt is:
. an atmospheric look at life as a young woman in mid-century New York City
. a dark revelation about the difficulties of being a queer woman in the early 50s
. a road trip epic
There were two aspects of this story that made it a 5 star read for me:
1. How Therese's love for Carol feels so palpable. After reading the story, I discovered that the book is considered semi-autobiographical. By drawing on her own experience and feelings, Highsmith made reading this love story feel so realistic; almost to the point of near-voyeurism.
2. The setting was delightful and transporting. Highsmith has so deftly captured the styles and mannerisms of the era: red polished nails, unfiltered cigarettes, classic cocktails... Fans of 50s style will adore these details.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
xenia_li's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship
ritapisk's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.75
just the historical implications of this could make me cry for days on end. I can't believe Patricia let them be happy. and with such gorgeous writing too! minus .25 stars because it did make me wonder several times if the relationship was toxic or not, but I've decided no <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia