46 pages • 1 hour read
Patricia HighsmithThe Price of Salt
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1952A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Patricia Highsmith's The Price of Salt, Therese, a 19-year-old aspiring theater set designer, meets Carol, an elegant woman in her thirties, while working at a New York City department store. Their instant connection leads to a deep, complicated romance, challenged by social constraints, Carol's divorce, a detective's surveillance, and their respective personal struggles. The novel addresses anti-lesbian bias.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith garners praise for its groundbreaking portrayal of a same-sex romance, noted for its authenticity and emotional depth. Critics commend its elegant prose and complex characters. On the downside, some found its pacing uneven. Overall, it's a significant, influential work in LGBTQ literature.
Who Should Read The Price of Salt?
Readers who would enjoy The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith are typically drawn to emotionally charged, character-driven narratives and explorations of LGBTQ+ themes. Fans of Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman or Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin will appreciate its nuanced portrayal of forbidden love and identity struggles.