Brain Snacks: Tasty Tidbits of Knowledge
The book was originally published with the name "Claire Morgan" on the cover. Morgan was a one-hit wonder of a pseudonym for Patricia Highsmith, who didn't publicly acknowledge the book until 1984. Maybe she thought Big Brother was watching her and would find out anyway. (Source.)
Even though this novel was originally published under a penname, it is in fact quite autobiographical. Highsmith based Carol on her lover Virginia Kent Catherwood who lost custody of her child after a lesbian affair was revealed. Highsmith was also a bit of a stalker. While working at a department store, she found the address of a pretty blonde customer and staked out her house. Perhaps The Price of Salt is a bit of wish fulfillment as well, taking us inside that house with Therese. (Source.)
Carol and Therese take a long road trip, but the book's journey from page to screen was even longer. A screenplay for the film was first written in 2000 by Phyllis Nagy, and after fifteen years—and almost as many cast changes—the film was finally released in 2015. (Source.)