Dive into the original novel 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith to truly experience the captivating story that inspired 'Carol'. The book offers an intimate exploration of its characters' inner lives, presenting a profoundly personal and richly detailed journey that extends beyond the film's beautifully stylized depiction. Highsmith's novel delves deeper into the nuances of love and societal constraints of the 1950s, providing readers with a more nuanced and in-depth understanding of the leads, Therese and Carol. Through the written word, you'll gain access to their thoughts and emotions, exploring their relationship with a complexity and authenticity that only literature can offer. Discover the raw and evocative prose that vividly brings the characters to life, offering a richer emotional connection and a more detailed portrait of their world. 'The Price of Salt' provides a timeless exploration of love, identity, and the courage to defy social norms, making it a rewarding read that goes beyond the visual storytelling of its film adaptation.

In 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman.

Drama

Romance

The Price of Salt

Carol

Dive into Patricia Highsmith's gripping psychological thriller, "The Talented Mr. Ripley," to explore the mind of one of literature's most enigmatic antiheroes. While the film adaptation dazzles with picturesque visuals, the novel offers an intimate look at Tom Ripley's internal machinations, his calculated manipulations, and his chilling transformation. Highsmith's prose weaves a masterful tale that draws you into Ripley's world, compelling you to understand his motives and the darker shades of human nature.

Reading the book allows you to experience the tension and suspense at your own pace, savoring the moments that the screen might rush. Patricia Highsmith's intricate characterization and detailed descriptions invite readers to delve deeper into the intricate cat-and-mouse game that is far richer and more nuanced than its cinematic counterpart. By choosing the source material, you embrace a narrative that challenges and engages your imagination, leaving a lasting impression long after the last page is turned.

Tom Ripley is a calculating young man who believes it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody. Opportunity knocks in the form of a wealthy U.S. shipbuilder who hires Tom to travel to Italy to bring back his playboy son, Dickie. Ripley worms his way into the idyllic lives of Dickie and his girlfriend, plunging into a daring scheme of duplicity, lies and murder.

Thriller

Crime

The Talented Mr. Ripley

If you're captivated by the psychological tension of Alfred Hitchcock's films, consider diving into Patricia Highsmith's novel "Strangers on a Train." The book delves deeper into the psyche of its characters, offering an intricate exploration of motivations and moral ambiguity. Highsmith's masterful storytelling ensures that the suspense is palpable from start to finish, offering a distinct experience beyond the screenplay.

Readers of Highsmith's "Strangers on a Train" will find themselves immersed in a narrative rich with complex characters and intricate plot twists. The novel's exploration of duality and guilt provides a more nuanced understanding of the characters, drawing readers into their internal struggles. This added depth in the written word offers a thrilling experience, elevating the tension and psychological layers that may be overlooked in the cinematic adaptation.

Having met on a train, a smooth-talking psychotic socialite shares his theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder to an amateur tennis player — a theory he plans to test out.

Strangers on a Train