I'm glad you found the time to read Carol. As I had read Bannon's Beeboo Brinkler ominbus, I was used to style and slow pace of1950 s literature. Not everyone's cup of tea or one I could read all the time. Having a love of the movies of that era probably helps. I also researched Highsmith and was also surprised this book was different. Until I read what she was going through when she wrote it. She had a fascinating life although somewhat troublesome.
As to the suitability of Therese and Carol, well a romantic I would hope they had a HEA. However as you say, they has "issues". The different stages in their lives , age gap ( although Therese had matured during their separation) Carols daughter and all the complications attached to that part of her life, jus to name a few. However there was an element of a Domme and Sub about them and as we know people do thrive on that sort of a relationship.. Personally I'm more for a more equal footing. I have to say that I'm not sure I liked Carol at times or her treatment of Therese but as a mother I can understand her need to defend her rights as a mother. The biggest thing that gets my blood boiling is the treatment of women in general at that time by men ( sometimes I wonder have we really come very far in the world?). Having read the book three times last year ( I like to be prepared for book group😀) I don't think it will ever be my favourite in the genre and I think I was probably projecting Cate Blanchetts image when reading it and having watched the movie first it tainted my reading of it. I usually prefer to read the book first, get my own images. Anyway, as you see I too had many thoughts and feelings about this book. Too many to comment on now, so enough of my ramblings. Thanks for replying to my question.
As to the suitability of Therese and Carol, well a romantic I would hope they had a HEA. However as you say, they has "issues". The different stages in their lives , age gap ( although Therese had matured during their separation) Carols daughter and all the complications attached to that part of her life, jus to name a few. However there was an element of a Domme and Sub about them and as we know people do thrive on that sort of a relationship.. Personally I'm more for a more equal footing. I have to say that I'm not sure I liked Carol at times or her treatment of Therese but as a mother I can understand her need to defend her rights as a mother. The biggest thing that gets my blood boiling is the treatment of women in general at that time by men ( sometimes I wonder have we really come very far in the world?).
Having read the book three times last year ( I like to be prepared for book group😀) I don't think it will ever be my favourite in the genre and I think I was probably projecting Cate Blanchetts image when reading it and having watched the movie first it tainted my reading of it. I usually prefer to read the book first, get my own images.
Anyway, as you see I too had many thoughts and feelings about this book. Too many to comment on now, so enough of my ramblings. Thanks for replying to my question.