Found in the Street

I am reading Found in the Street, by Patricia Highsmith, because 1) I finished Room (in 2 days) and took it back to the library and 2) The Price of Salt (aka Carol) is still checked out of the library. No surprise. I remember what a big deal Room was when it first came out, and the both the hype and the basic plot description kept me away. But, oddly, it, too, was "surprisingly upbeat," despite the horrific situation and its realistic aftermath. My paperback copy had an interview with the author, Emma Donoghue, who stressed that it was about mother love--yes!--but without sentimentality. Indeed. (I note that the DVD cover, just out yesterday, provides spoilers, as none of the early readers did. Just read it, they said, in essence. Finally, I did. So I could watch the movie without guilt.) Now I am hooked on Highsmith.Why haven't I read her before?