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A review by bevelynhugo
The Price of Salt, or Carol by Patricia Highsmith
4.0
HOLY SHIT. She literally went back to Carol at the last page. Just hurrying to Carol’s table at Elysee. I was reading with such anticipation, hoping she wouldn’t just move on with the next girl, Genevieve (the actress at the cocktail party). It’s such a cozy book, especially the roadtrip scenes. Peak of the book is of course when they confessed their love at Waterloo.
This book has some of the best writing I’ve ever read, hands down. The way Patricia Highsmith does description is so inventive. She describes mundane things in ways I’ve never thought of before. I highlighted a lot of quotes I loved. Also, I loved Therese as a protagonist because her falling for Carol and even her quick infatuation with Genevieve at the end is so relatable to every gay girl. The way Patricia Highsmith uses description helps a lot with that. If you’re a wlw this is basically required reading.
I came for Christmas lesbians but it really has this quality, literary feel to it. Obviously this hits on a more personal level if you’re a wlw but I can see it being an important book regardless of your romantic orientation. It really illustrates how much of a crime it is to be an American gay person in the 50s. They wouldn’t throw you in jail outright, but same-sex love is like a scar on your life that has consequences. Any evidence they find follows you forever like a tattoo. You’re seen as some deviant pervert. Like a pedophile if you were to think in terms of our modern-day mindset. Obviously that would be the grounds to lose custody of your child.
Minus a star because I thought the beginning dragged on, especially with her dissatisfaction about Richard. I understand the character of Richard adds drama and contrasts heavily to her relationship with Carol. But I honestly just wanted to read about Therese’s dream woman! I completely forgot Therese had a boyfriend too. I didn’t really care for her set designer career either and any scenes to do with it. I’m pretty sure they cut that part out from the film completely. I’ll have to rewatch the film soon.
This book has some of the best writing I’ve ever read, hands down. The way Patricia Highsmith does description is so inventive. She describes mundane things in ways I’ve never thought of before. I highlighted a lot of quotes I loved. Also, I loved Therese as a protagonist because her falling for Carol and even her quick infatuation with Genevieve at the end is so relatable to every gay girl. The way Patricia Highsmith uses description helps a lot with that. If you’re a wlw this is basically required reading.
I came for Christmas lesbians but it really has this quality, literary feel to it. Obviously this hits on a more personal level if you’re a wlw but I can see it being an important book regardless of your romantic orientation. It really illustrates how much of a crime it is to be an American gay person in the 50s. They wouldn’t throw you in jail outright, but same-sex love is like a scar on your life that has consequences. Any evidence they find follows you forever like a tattoo. You’re seen as some deviant pervert. Like a pedophile if you were to think in terms of our modern-day mindset. Obviously that would be the grounds to lose custody of your child.
Minus a star because I thought the beginning dragged on, especially with her dissatisfaction about Richard. I understand the character of Richard adds drama and contrasts heavily to her relationship with Carol. But I honestly just wanted to read about Therese’s dream woman! I completely forgot Therese had a boyfriend too. I didn’t really care for her set designer career either and any scenes to do with it. I’m pretty sure they cut that part out from the film completely. I’ll have to rewatch the film soon.