Therese first glimpses Carol in the New York department store where she is working as a sales assistant. Carol is choosing a present for her daughter; she looks preoccupied, exuding an aura of elegance as perfect as a secret. Standing there at the counter, Therese suddenly feels wholly innocent - wholly unprepared for the first shock of love. Therese was nineteen, and loved by a young man she cared about, but could not desire. Carol was a sophisticated married woman. Now Therese seemed to have no other purpose to her life other than their meeting? First published under a pseudonym in 1952, Carol is a love story told with compelling wit and eroticism, and consummate tenderness.
Patricia Highsmith
Patricia Highsmith was an American novelist known for her psychological thrillers and suspenseful plots. Her most notable works include "Strangers on a Train," "The Talented Mr. Ripley," and "Carol." Highsmith's writing style is characterized by its dark and twisted exploration of human nature, often featuring morally ambiguous characters and intricate psychological narratives. She is credited with revolutionizing the crime fiction genre by focusing on the inner workings of the criminal mind rather than just the act of crime itself. Highsmith's influence can be seen in modern psychological thrillers and her work continues to be celebrated for its complex characters and gripping storytelling. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" remains her most famous and enduring work, solidifying her legacy as a master of suspense.