The Price Of Salt By Patricia Highsmith May 2026

Highsmith based the character of Carol on a blonde woman in a mink coat she saw while working at Bloomingdale’s during the 1948 Christmas rush [2, 5]. 2. Plot Summary

Highsmith focuses heavily on how Therese watches Carol—the obsession with details like gloves, perfume, and cigarettes [5].

Sophisticated, wealthy, and burdened by the social expectations of her class. She must choose between her daughter and her authentic self. The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

Much of the tension arises from the disparity between Therese’s working-class struggle and Carol’s mid-century luxury [1].

The story follows , a stage designer working a temporary job at a department store. She becomes infatuated with Carol Aird , an elegant suburban mother undergoing a difficult divorce. Their relationship develops during a cross-country road trip, but they are pursued by a private investigator hired by Carol’s husband to gather evidence of her "moral turpitude" to win a custody battle [1, 6]. 3. Key Characters Highsmith based the character of Carol on a

Watch the 2015 adaptation, Carol , directed by Todd Haynes, starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett. It is widely praised for capturing the novel's atmospheric tension [7].

Read the 1990 edition, which includes Highsmith’s afterword about the book's reception [2]. The story follows , a stage designer working

This guide covers the essentials of 1952 groundbreaking novel, The Price of Salt (also known as Carol ). 1. Context & Significance