Set in Manhattan in the early 1950s, The Price of Salt takes the reader into a forbidden love between two women: one, Therese Belivet, a set designer, and a wealthy suburban wife and mother, Carol Aird.
It is nearly Christmas in the year the two meet, when Therese was working as a temporary employee at Frankenberg’s, a department store. The author describes the first moments, as the two gaze across the room at one another…and then Carol approaches, followed by a shop transaction that takes place involving a delivery. Could something momentous be happening?
It doesn’t take long before they are drawn together again, for a lunch, then drinks, and then a visit to Carol’s suburban home, and, at the very least, a friendship is developing. Carol and her husband are separated, and their daughter Rindy goes back and forth between them.
Nothing overt happens between Therese and Carol, but within a few weeks, they are traveling across the country, toward the West…and their lives are changing dramatically.
Meanwhile, Carol discovers something very sinister is happening, at the hands of her husband. Will the two be ripped apart? Will it be a question for Carol of losing her daughter?
The intense and somewhat obsessive love between them could end; in any case, their lives could be altered moving forward. Wondering what will happen and if the societal expectations of the times will dictate the course of their feelings is a reminder, once again, of how times have changed and how stultifying the world once was. A timeless tale that could be about any kind of forbidden love, gay, straight, or otherwise…and was captivating in its ability to describe the longing of two people reaching across barriers to be together. 4.5 stars.
Sounds good to me and from an author who I want to read far more of. Thanks for sharing
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Thanks, Cleo, this was my first book from the author. I had already seen the movie (Carol), so I was pretty sure I would enjoy the book. Now I want to read more from Highsmith.
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I agree with Cleopatralovesbooks – really want to read more of this author! Bronte
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Thanks, Bronte, and I loved the writer’s prose, which allowed me to see and feel what was happening in the scenes. I want to read more from this author, too.
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My poor TBR list!
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Oh, I am feeling it, too, Bronte…
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Did you like it better than the movie, Carol?? Patricia Highsmith was quite an author. Maybe the book gets into the characters’ heads more than the movie?
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There were a few differences between the book and the movie, Susan. In the movie, Therese was a photographer, while in the book, she was a set designer.
I don’t think I would have enjoyed the book as much if I hadn’t seen the movie. So…I guess I’m saying I loved the movie more, but then, I’m a big fan of Cate Blanchette.
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