The Price of Salt, or Carol

An unlikely encounter between Therese, a young sales clerk, and Carol, a lonely homemaker, leads to an amorous romance in this classic work of lesbian fiction. Struggling against the oppressive routines of their daily lives and the strict social norms governing mid-century femininity, the new lovers take to the open road where their new relationship can thrive. But their dreamy, blissful adventure is sharply interrupted when Carol must make a difficult choice between her child and her lover.

Patricia Highsmith is famous for penning thrillers like Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley, but her keen ability to create compelling characters and narratives truly shines in this oft-overlooked classic. Published under a pseudonym in 1952, Highsmith’s lyrical prose and sensitive, well-rounded treatment of lesbian characters marked a significant departure from the stereotyped lesbian pulp fiction that had historically dominated the marketplace. A work that demands our respect and attention, The Price of Salt is an honest and profound meditation on love and the importance of following one’s heart.