Scan barcode
A review by frances_frances
The Price of Salt, or Carol by Patricia Highsmith
2.0
TLDR: This book is presented as a romance novel but is actually about a dysfunctional relationship with seriously uneven power dynamics.
I had a hard time with this book. It has cultural value as rare example of midcentury American queer fiction. And it's significant that the queer characters have a chance for a happy ending (rather than the trope of queer characters dying or otherwise being "punished" for their sexuality and/or gender). That being said, this book left me feeling kind of icky and very worried for Therese.
There's a real need to unpack and discuss the power dynamics at play between Therese and Carol. At the start of their relationship, Therese is 19 and Carol is in her early 30's (32?). Therese is sexually inexperienced and has never been with another woman. Meanwhile, Carol is married with a child and has had previous experience with queer sex. Therese is a struggling artist, Carol is a wealthy housewife. In other words, Carol has way more power in the relationship. She consistently uses this power to influence Therese, thereby taking advantage of her youthful naivete. The uneven power dynamics might be more obvious to readers if Carol was a man in his early 30's pursuing a 19 year old Therese. I do think the power dynamics are different between two women, but still Carol has the upper hand.
SPOILERS I was hopeful towards the end when Therese seemed to be investing in herself for herself (without Carol's influence). I was really hoping that Therese would connect with other young queer artists at the theatre party she attends. Theatre spaces have historically been sites of validation for queer people, so Therese finding community there would make sense. I was so disappointed that she returns to Carol. Her time with Carol was certainly formative, maybe necessary, for Therese's personal growth, but I think it's an unhealthy dynamic to build a long term relationship. By the end, Carol hasn't done anything to demonstrate that she has learned or changed, so why would her and Therese's relationship be any healthier the second time around?
I appreciate The Price of Salt as a queer cultural artifact, but I would not recommend it. This book is presented as a "romance novel" when it could achieve much more framed as a queer coming of age story.
I had a hard time with this book. It has cultural value as rare example of midcentury American queer fiction. And it's significant that the queer characters have a chance for a happy ending (rather than the trope of queer characters dying or otherwise being "punished" for their sexuality and/or gender). That being said, this book left me feeling kind of icky and very worried for Therese.
There's a real need to unpack and discuss the power dynamics at play between Therese and Carol. At the start of their relationship, Therese is 19 and Carol is in her early 30's (32?). Therese is sexually inexperienced and has never been with another woman. Meanwhile, Carol is married with a child and has had previous experience with queer sex. Therese is a struggling artist, Carol is a wealthy housewife. In other words, Carol has way more power in the relationship. She consistently uses this power to influence Therese, thereby taking advantage of her youthful naivete. The uneven power dynamics might be more obvious to readers if Carol was a man in his early 30's pursuing a 19 year old Therese. I do think the power dynamics are different between two women, but still Carol has the upper hand.
SPOILERS I was hopeful towards the end when Therese seemed to be investing in herself for herself (without Carol's influence). I was really hoping that Therese would connect with other young queer artists at the theatre party she attends. Theatre spaces have historically been sites of validation for queer people, so Therese finding community there would make sense. I was so disappointed that she returns to Carol. Her time with Carol was certainly formative, maybe necessary, for Therese's personal growth, but I think it's an unhealthy dynamic to build a long term relationship. By the end, Carol hasn't done anything to demonstrate that she has learned or changed, so why would her and Therese's relationship be any healthier the second time around?
I appreciate The Price of Salt as a queer cultural artifact, but I would not recommend it. This book is presented as a "romance novel" when it could achieve much more framed as a queer coming of age story.