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denizers 's review for:
The Price of Salt, or Carol
by Patricia Highsmith
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.