What really got me about this book, aside from the revolutionary fact that it's a lesbian romance in the 1950s, is the historical context. It's not historical fiction, but because of when it was written, we get some very interesting snapshots of what life was like before modern technology, especially modern communication tech.

On the queerness of this book, while the main characters do face forced heteronormativity, the fact that it's never in question that they are both women who love women is very refreshing. 

and while there are complications and backlash in the end, they get to be happy together. There's no death, Therese goes back to Carol, and they get to be together.