2021 EDIT: I couldn't get into 'Carol' a second time, unfortunately, and I skimmed most of it.
I just don't think the 50s novel was meant to be enjoyed much. So many descriptions of the most mundane details and observations. Some scenes are outright pointless, if not tedious. The narration is dreary, dull, impersonal, awkward and meandering, with little actual heart. There are inconsistencies in the writing, such as characters being in one place and then suddenly, a few paragraphs later, they are in a different place entirely in the same room. It's confusing, and is what I mean by the book being awkward. The characters can be bewildering, inconsistent and not always likeable (not that they need to be, but still, it would have helped add a certain ardour and vitality to the narrative). Names of supposed characters keep popping up on pages, as if the reader is expected to know who they are. A realistic depiction of people and life flying by? Is this intentional? Why should I care, anyhow?
It seems to me that, like the 2015 film adaptation, which I also grew bored of, 'Carol', or 'The Price of Salt', mostly relies on its LBGTQ romance as its novelty and highest selling point. Without it, what else is there that's worth remembering? It could work as an antipatriarchy story, I guess. It's like style over substance - not that there isn't any good substance in 'Carol', far from it. It just could have been written better; more freely, and with more energy, in my opinion.
I appreciate it for being the "first" lesbian novel with a somewhat happy ending for the couple. That's antipatriarchy and anticensorship.
I didn't care for Therese this time round, either. How selfish she is, even if she is young. And she's apathetic and judgemental, especially of women who aren't Carol.
Final Score: 3/5
Original Review:
The second book I've read that centers on a lesbian romance. The first was 'Annie on My Mind' by Nancy Garden, from the eighties. This one is from the fifties. I maintain the belief that regardless of who you are - and what your sexual orientation is or lack thereof - a good book is a good book and can be enjoyed by anyone. A good book should be able to at least garner interest in a readership not normally into its subject matter.
And in my opinion, 'Carol' (originally 'The Price of Salt') by Patricia Highsmith is a brilliantly-written, atmospherically real novel that is an instant classic. Additionally I saw the film adaptation starring Cate Blanchett just the other night - the day after I finished the book - and I knew I had to start a review right away.
'Carol' explores all the rainbow spectres of emotion from beginning to end. The theme of the main character experiencing first love towards someone of the same sex - no subtext, which was revolutionary for its time - is the icing on the cake of this absorbing and exhilarating craft. It is also the "first" homosexual love story with a positive ending (however ambiguous). What hope and joy.
Mostly set in New York, 'Carol' is constantly in motion; moving from place to place, meeting one character here, another there, and then in a flash we're introduced to another new person. A reflection of how real life works when adult human beings are always in a state of activity; with so many aspects of their lives to function through as productive society members. Classism is another theme that’s more subtly touched upon in this great work.
The romance itself is potent and a source of passion throughout, but the author still takes time to develop it slowly within the narrative, all from the perspective of the young protagonist, Therese Belivet. 'Carol' is her coming-of-age story: her starting out in life, miserably working in a doll department in a store at Christmas, endlessly waiting for job opportunities in theatre set designing, drifting away from a boyfriend she doesn't love, losing contact altogether with people from her previous life. Carol, the person - the rich Suburban older woman, sophisticated and beautiful - enters Therese's life as if by a magical chance at the department store. Carol Aird, who is going through a divorce and fighting for custody of her daughter, becomes Therese’s life.
But, by taking more and more risks with each other - like travelling à la 'Thelma and Louise' road trip - Carol could end up bringing about naïve Therese's destruction as well as her own, emotionally...
It sounds so straightforward. Really, it's glorious. To no end it's thrilling.
The novel flows in a natural-seeming way - filled with natural-sounding dialogue from the very human characters - despite its on-driving pace and quickly dropping off certain elements from one place to the next, big or small. For there will always be the big and small things in life that will shape us. Little features, such as the department store of dolls and train sets, kid gloves and set design models, add up to shine an innocent, fairy tale light to 'Carol' in its modest beginnings. The calm charm before the storm of the adult world, full of harsh consequences slowly but surely ploughing through.
Like Therese, we will continue to go on moving forward; to grow and gain new experiences. We will learn and decide what to keep to ourselves and what to discard as the past, as a shadow of our former lives. We must love ourselves for who we are, do what we feel is right, and not change because of the preconceived ideas of ignorant and intolerant people.
The fifties NY atmosphere Highsmith utilized is stylish, delightful yet gritty and morose all at once. The majority of the supporting characters are male, and most of them are negative presences for Carol and Therese, due to living in an oppressive, patriarchal society that thrives on the submissiveness of the female in order to go on in its toxic waste-lay. The few supporting female characters, such as Abby, are at first perceived as potentially threatening. But they are actually positive influences; Therese mostly misunderstands them for they make her fear for her place in Carol's life, and for her own mortality.
There are flaws in 'Carol', of course. Even though I thought the writing was near perfection, it does contain a few old-fashioned phrases I had to get used to. To me they seemed to be placed a little awkwardly. Therese believes that Carol had betrayed her at one point because Carol may love her young daughter more than Therese. The child is in the midst of a custody battle between her parents following a bitter, vengeful divorce. It's all about who spends the most time with Carol (who is pretty callous and judgemental herself). This absurdly childish and selfish notion of Therese's doesn't really change throughout the story, although it could be a sign she's still maturing long after the ending, which to the final page is perfectly done.
'Carol', among its other achievements, made me care deeply about a romance story. A forbidden romance story at that. The characters are complex and believable, the events of all shapes and sizes are intriguing and richly defined, and the solid writing does not let the reader go for a moment. It’s great to see a female friendship - sexual or not - portrayed positively. By the by, ‘Thelma and Louise’ is also one of my favourite films.
‘Carol’ may have cured my long-suffering reading slump this year. It certainly regained my faith in well-written and fantastical books. What can I say, I love it. As Carol would say, it's like it was flung from space.
Final Score: 4.5/5
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