Road Trip

Patricia Highsmith published her novel The Price of Salt (1952) under the pseudonym Claire Morgan. At the time, it would have been risky for her to use her real name, as she was just becoming known as a writer of psychological suspense novels with the success of Strangers on a Train (1950). The Price of Salt, a 'novel of a love society forbids', would have been controversial and potentially damaging for the author's career.

Therese Belivet is a young woman finding her way in New York. She wants to be a theatrical set designer, but is making ends meet by working at a department store. She has a boyfriend, Richard, but she does not share the intensity of his feelings for their relationship. In the lead up to Christmas, Therese is working in the toy section when a beautiful woman comes in to shop. Therese is instantly drawn to Carol Aird and takes the unusual step of sending her a Christmas card. 

Carol is coming to the end of her marriage and is quite lonely. The card touches her and she reaches out to Therese. As the women begin to spend more time together, Therese falls desperately in love with Carol. To escape the bitter divorce proceedings, Carol proposes a road trip out west and the two women set off in Carol's car. Over the time of their travels they become intimate and realise the strength of their love for one another. But the 1950s are not the right time for an open relationship, and with the divorce underway, Carol cannot give her husband any ammunition he might use against her and risk losing custody of her child.

Having read many Highsmith novels in the last few years, The Price of Salt is a significant departure. The story of forbidden love, the consequences of their relationship are different for each. Therese, a young artist, has no family to worry about and would likely be accepted by her artsy friends. Carol has so much more at stake, with a young daughter, a home and her position in society hanging in the balance. Her outing could see her lose everything. 

Both women are mysterious and at first it is hard to understand what Carol sees in Therese. Therese is a hard character to grasp. She is an observer, constantly watching but not revealing much. On the first day of the road trip Carol says to her 'I wonder if you'll really enjoy this trip. You so prefer things reflected in a glass, don't you.'  But over the course of the novel, Therese matures, she begins to understand Carol more, and becomes more engaging.

Todd Haynes directed a film adaptation of Carol, starring Cate Blanchett in the title role, with Rooney Mara as Therese.  The film received six Academy Award nominations and nine BAFTA nominations. 

My reviews of other Highsmith novels are also available on this blog, including Deep Water (1957), The Talented Mr Ripley (1955), The Tremor of Forgery (1969), The Two Faces of January (1964) and This Sweet Sickness (1960).