Carol

Carol follows nineteen-year-old Therese Belivet, a set designer working at a Manhattan department store in the early 1950s. During the Christmas rush, she meets Carol Aird, an elegant customer who purchases a doll for her daughter. The women begin a friendship that grows more complex as Carol faces a divorce from her husband. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of mid-century American society, with its rigid expectations and social constraints. The narrative traces their journey across America as they attempt to escape mounting pressures in New York. At its core, the story examines questions of identity, desire, and the price of living authentically in post-war America. The novel stands as a landmark of LGBTQ+ literature, notable for its frank treatment of same-sex relationships at a time when such topics were largely taboo. Through its exploration of love and social convention, Carol presents an enduring commentary on personal freedom versus societal demands.

Readers celebrate the book's honest, tender portrayal of a lesbian relationship in 1950s America, noting how it defied conventions by avoiding tragedy or moral judgment. Many point to the subtle psychological observations and building tension that make the romance feel authentic. Readers praise: - The elegant, restrained prose style - Complex character development of both Carol and Therese - The path-breaking happy ending for LGBTQ+ literature of its era - Capturing the repressive social climate without melodrama Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in the first third - Distance in the narrative voice - Some find Therese's character too passive - Dated elements in the dialogue and social attitudes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (75,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,800+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (2,500+ ratings) "The writing pulls you into their world completely" - common sentiment in 5-star reviews "Takes patience to get through but worth it" - frequent 4-star comment

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin A man in 1950s Paris grapples with his sexuality and social expectations while falling in love with an Italian bartender.

The Price of Salt by Claire Morgan A stage designer falls into an all-consuming relationship with a married woman during a cross-country road trip in 1950s America.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters A female pickpocket becomes entangled in a plot to defraud an heiress in Victorian England, leading to unexpected romantic complications.

The Hours by Michael Cunningham Three women in different time periods connect through Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" while exploring their identities and desires.

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters A woman and her mother take in lodgers in 1922 London, leading to a love affair that spirals into crime and consequences.

🔖 The book was originally published in 1952 under the pseudonym Claire Morgan because publishers felt its lesbian romance theme was too controversial for Highsmith to use her real name 📚 "Carol" was initially titled "The Price of Salt," and was partly inspired by a brief encounter Highsmith had while working as a shopgirl at Bloomingdale's during Christmas season 💫 It was one of the first lesbian novels to have a happy ending, breaking from the tradition of tragic or moralistic conclusions common in gay literature of the era 🎬 The 2015 film adaptation starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara received six Academy Award nominations and was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at Cannes 📖 The book sold nearly a million copies in paperback during its first year of publication, with many readers writing letters to "Claire Morgan" thanking her for giving them hope