Hoorah for the first lesbian novel that doesn’t end in suidcide or another equally dreary outcome! Apart from the rare happy ending this book is quite a good read. Teresa’s narrative isn’t overly sentimental about her unhappiness. Even if one isn’t a lesbian one can connect with her sense of not belonging. Although the society depicted is depressing the narrative is not; Highsmith manages to write eloquently homosexulaity in a time when it was demonized (even more than current times). Unlike many other novels about homosexuality that target thier homosexual audience, Highsmith’s writing reaches everyone.

Interesting sidenote: this novel was first published as pulp fiction and shelved with all the other fluffy insipid lesbian fiction targeting men despite garnering favorable reviews from well-respected publications.