This Norton Critical Edition includes: * The 1952 novel along with-for comparative reading-Patricia Highsmith's two Afterwords (1984 and 1990). * Editorial matter by Terry Castle. * Background materials on The Price of Salt's textual history and genesis (1948-52). * An unusually rich Criticism section, thematically arranged to promote classroom discussion. Letters to Patricia Highsmith (1952-65)-never before published-allow today's readers to understand something of this novel's deeply personal power, while reviews of the 1952, 1984, and 1991 editions trace the novel's critical reception in a changing world. Other topics include lesbian pulp fiction, a brief history of lesbianism in the 1950s and Carol, the 2014 film adaptation of The Price of Salt. * A Selected Bibliography.