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Carol - The Price of Salt  By  cover art

Carol - The Price of Salt

By: Patricia Highsmith
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

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.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

Featured Article: The Best Lesbian Listens by Queer Authors


Get to know lesbian literature’s past and present with these essential listens from the LGBTQIA+ canon. Anyone on the hunt for the best LGBTQIA+ audiobooks knows that it can still be a challenge to find stories centered on lesbian characters and experiences. Discover the best lesbian listens across fiction and nonfiction and in a range of genres and age categories, with one common factor: All of these stories are focused on lesbian characters.

What listeners say about Carol - The Price of Salt

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The story of two very strong women

STORY (romance) - This book is a beautifully written story of a very deep, romantic love between Therese (about 20) and Carol (30-something). Carol is a rich society woman getting a divorce and battling for custody of her daughter. Therese is young, trying to find her place in the world and in a relationship with Richard that just doesn't feel right for some reason. When Therese and Carol meet, the attraction is immediate but awkward. The emotions flourish, but openly being lesbian in the 1950's was much more difficult than it is today.

This is not a trashy lesbian story. In fact, there are only a couple extremely short references to sex, and they're very vague and tastefully done. The characters of Therese and Carol are deeply explored, and you will come to understand the love between them and how it gives them strength to face the problems it causes. Carol is wealthy and they take a long road trip together, so much of the book is them driving, dining in restaurants and meeting people in different towns, etc. There isn't a bunch of twists or suspense in the story, as it's more about the characters and their relationship. I liked the ending.

PERFORMANCE - Good job.

OVERALL - There is no violence or cursing and only the mild sexual references mentioned above. I am not gay or lesbian but I enjoyed the book, although it was a bit slow-moving.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not just a brilliant reflection on love....

This book not only has gorgeous prose about love but also shows the struggles of mid-century LGBT people. Wonderful on its own merits in every way. Transcends all genres that it could be lumped into. I disdain romance novels but this is amazing.

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

High expectations with a let down all around.

Struggled to finish the book. The narration was flat and monotone. Would wait for the movie.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book. very entertaining

loved it and didn't want it to stop. really love the characters and the way the author and narrator brought them alive.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely beautiful.

The performance, the writing, the emotion... This book will never disappoint. Flung out of space.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Such beautiful words I didn't know existed

Such beautiful words I didn't know existed. Made me want to watch the movie too.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

life's little surprises

Wonderful . wonderful. wonderful. just that. absolutely, shockingly, wonderful. sometimes there is nothing more. wonderful.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A wonderful novel

What did you love best about Carol - The Price of Salt?

The richness of Highsmith's writing. The novel unfolds slowly in contrast to the rapidity with which these two very different women fall in love. I particularly appreciate Highsmith's descriptions and insights into what otherwise might be rather mundane objects or experiences.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Carol - The Price of Salt?

Waterloo...

Which scene was your favorite?

It's hard to choose just one...there are so many moments in this novel that I appreciated. I have listened multiple times and with each I discover something new.

Who was the most memorable character of Carol - The Price of Salt and why?

The book is written from the perspective of Therese (unlike the film) and it's hard not to be drawn to her journey. I appreciate how she transformed through her love of Carol to become a young woman with a mind of her own.

Any additional comments?

The narration was excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

left me waiting for what was next

this was a very for me boring with story with very little to it I guess I expected more based on the other reviews. I had trouble getting through it but I kept listening hoping that something would improve unfortunately it didn't

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Left me flat

The concept of this book was a great one. Any engagement that I might have had with the story was lost in the narrators style. I was left feeling as though the characters were depressed and somber throughout. Perhaps I would enjoy this more in paper form, but I wouldn't spend the money to find out.

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