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A review by elwirax
Carol: The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Price of Salt is a rare mid-20th-century example of a lesbian relationship not entirely doomed, instead offering a hopeful ending. While somewhat outdated, much of the shame, expectations, and uncertainty experienced by Therese and Carol still resonate with modern readers.
The novel successfully presents the complexities and flaws of its main characters: Carol, a strong and autonomous woman dealing with divorce and maintaining custody of her daughter, and Therese, a young woman trying to find her place in the world.
Nevertheless, none of these characters were particularly likable. Carol's relationship with motherhood was complicated. While her actions can be viewed as an empowering rejection of the notion that women must prioritise motherhood, they can also be seen as neglectful, as she risks losing custody of her daughter over a relationship that lacks true substance. She was cold, and her narrative was often stunted.
Therese, for much of the novel, is very passive and relies on Carol for guidance. This dynamic emphasises the considerable age gap between them, with Therese being 19 and Carol in her early 30s. Though we get to see Therese's independence explored toward the end of the novel, it is brief.
I cannot help but view their relationship as teenage infatuation rather than a true romance. However, much of this lack of genuine connection can be attributed to the time period in which it was written.
I found the middle part of the novel, particularly the road trip, to be meandering but necessary for Therese's character growth. The writing was, at times, very poignant, and I enjoyed Highsmith's descriptions of seemingly unimportant details, which grounded the story.
Overall, the book was enjoyable enough and deserving of merit as an early classic in lesbian literature. Dare I say, though, that the movie was slightly better?
The novel successfully presents the complexities and flaws of its main characters: Carol, a strong and autonomous woman dealing with divorce and maintaining custody of her daughter, and Therese, a young woman trying to find her place in the world.
Nevertheless, none of these characters were particularly likable. Carol's relationship with motherhood was complicated. While her actions can be viewed as an empowering rejection of the notion that women must prioritise motherhood, they can also be seen as neglectful, as she risks losing custody of her daughter over a relationship that lacks true substance. She was cold, and her narrative was often stunted.
Therese, for much of the novel, is very passive and relies on Carol for guidance. This dynamic emphasises the considerable age gap between them, with Therese being 19 and Carol in her early 30s. Though we get to see Therese's independence explored toward the end of the novel, it is brief.
I cannot help but view their relationship as teenage infatuation rather than a true romance. However, much of this lack of genuine connection can be attributed to the time period in which it was written.
I found the middle part of the novel, particularly the road trip, to be meandering but necessary for Therese's character growth. The writing was, at times, very poignant, and I enjoyed Highsmith's descriptions of seemingly unimportant details, which grounded the story.
Overall, the book was enjoyable enough and deserving of merit as an early classic in lesbian literature. Dare I say, though, that the movie was slightly better?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking and Lesbophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts