Carol - The Price of Salt

By: Patricia Highsmith

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

A chance encounter between two lonely women leads to a passionate romance in this lesbian cult classic. Therese, a struggling young sales clerk, and Carol, a homemaker in the midst of a bitter divorce, abandon their oppressive daily routines for the freedom of the open road, where their love can blossom. But their newly discovered bliss is shattered when Carol is forced to choose between her child and her lover.

Highsmith's sensitive treatment of fully realized characters who defy stereotypes about homosexuality marks a departure from previous lesbian pulp fiction. Erotic, eloquent, and suspenseful, this story offers an honest look at the necessity of being true to one's nature.

The Price of Salt is the basis for the upcoming film Carol, starring Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, and Kyle Chandler, to be released December 18, 2015.

©2015 Patricia Highsmith (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The Story of Love.

Carol - The Price of Salt, Written by: Patricia Highsmith is a study of love. How love begins, how it matures and how it plays out. The story is told through the eyes of Therese, the younger lover. What is enchanting in the story is Ms. Highsmith takes you through all the phases of just how a love finds itself and grows as lovers come to know each other.

First comes the recognition that you have a mutual attraction, a realization that appears from the first moment you lay eyes on the other. The aura between the lovers is filled with energy. Then one must learn to trust sufficiently to allow the rapport. The story then moves on to the seduction, and how the relationship will hit moments of boredom and the presence of personal issues between the lovers and the adjustments that must be made. Next comes the close understanding of just who the other partner is, their frailties and wants; and the question, can the allure survive? Once the love is underway, the lovers can become abusive. Why? Perhaps because we try to protect ourselves from having to give up one’s independence. A test to see if the love can endure. The story teaches the opportunity to be in love is a treasure that if not nurtured will become valueless. Move forward or lose out.

Yet, the story also teaches that once the ecstasy of love is gotten, others get in the way. Others provide their judgment on their preferences without any concern for the lover’s wants. That is particularly true here as the love with which we are concerned was once thought to be an abomination. The love described in “The Price of Salt” is between two woman and takes place in the 1950s. (The true abomination in this novel though was the relationship each woman had with their alleged male lovers.)

Okay, so the plot here is that the love blooms and a forceful attack is launched by their society against our heroines, Carol and Therese. The genius of the Ms. Highsmith is that the tale twists and turns with interesting reshaping of the plot. Can the lovers prevail, or is this a tragedy? Its ending is certainly not mundane. One must read the last three chapters at one sitting. . . . and just how does it work out? Read/listen to the book, it is well worth your time. It is full of happiness, disappointment and learning.

Love, Love, Love!

Where does Carol - The Price of Salt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best

What did you like best about this story?

everything

Did Cassandra Campbell do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

she did, but I found her voice a littel annoying :(

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

This book is great! The character development is strong and I can't wait to see the movie!!!

Perfection. Highsmith is a queen of the sentence.

Stunning novel perfectly performed. So evocative of time and place. Very special.

Really great narrator. Applause!!

Loved it!

This books' diction was perfection. Loved how the characters were written. Great plot, really kept my attention. Loved the ending.

love this story

First I had watched the movie then I bought the book. Then I bought the audiobook. The book is not completely different from the movie but there are some detail different. And as always, more details and basically longer. Let's find out.

Almost took a snooze

Was a very slow start so I had to restart several times because I couldn't pay attention. I finally committed to it and really liked it in the end. Hoping the movie is a bit better.

Not what I had hoped

The story lacks character development. I could never identify with any of the characters. The main character was dull and made little sense at times. This was not at all the tender love story I had hoped for. I forced myself to finish it in hopes it would finally deliver a believable emotional connection between the characters but it never did.

The narration is terrible!

The narrator drones through this novel of forbidden passion in a disinterested monotone. What a buzz kill!

Simply Beautiful

You might think a love story written in the 1950s would be boring and unrelatable in this day and age, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The story between Carol and Therese is unmatched to most modern day romances. Their chemistry, desire and adornment for one another is electrifying. The narrator is wonderful and brings the book to life, emphasizing the subtle vocal traits that you begin to recognize in each character as soon as the book begins. I am so impressed with this book. I did not expect to find myself so emerged, but I was captivated by it. What a great piece of literature.

A lovely novel

I am in love with this book and it has a happy ending, which lesbian movies or books don't have a lot. Enjoy!