The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith garners praise for its groundbreaking portrayal of a same-sex romance, noted for its authenticity and emotional depth. Critics commend its elegant prose and complex characters. On the downside, some found its pacing uneven. Overall, it's a significant, influential work in LGBTQ literature.

Readers who would enjoy The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith are typically drawn to emotionally charged, character-driven narratives and explorations of LGBTQ+ themes. Fans of Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman or Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin will appreciate its nuanced portrayal of forbidden love and identity struggles.

In Patricia Highsmith's The Price of Salt, Therese, a 19-year-old aspiring theater set designer, meets Carol, an elegant woman in her thirties, while working at a New York City department store. Their instant connection leads to a deep, complicated romance, challenged by social constraints, Carol's divorce, a detective's surveillance, and their respective personal struggles. The novel addresses anti-lesbian bias.

Patricia Highsmith

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Part 1, Chapters 1-5

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Part 1, Chapters 6-11

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Part 2, Chapters 12-17

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Part 2, Chapters 18-23

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