serenityr05's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Islamophobia, Gun violence, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Rape, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Death, Self harm, Alcoholism, and Blood
james1star's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Secret History is undoubtedly a very well written and theorised book, Tartt gifts us, in my opinion, the perfect balance of plot and character analysis alongside some truly exquisite passages. Without including many spoilers, all I can say for the plot is we follow the student Richard Papen as he tells the story of his time at Hampden College in Vermont. Not wanting to neglect the Greek he had previously studied, he joins the cohort headed by the odd teacher that is Julian, becoming close to him and his fellow classmates: Henry, Francis, Edmund (Bunny) and the twins Charles and Camilla. This group who I called ‘the Greeks’ in my notes lead fairly strange lives from fellow students at the college but one that certainly intrigues Richard. And then things happen…
This is for sure a Big Brain Energy book: there’s untranslated Ancient Greek, Latin and French in it, multi-syntaxes sentences containing ‘()’s ‘-‘s and lists within, parts inferred and much more. So whilst it’s not the most accessible and definitely makes you think, it’s still an enjoyable reading experience. Some parts went over my head but I did feel a bit intelligent I guess reading it. This may put some people off and I get that but personally I could follow well enough and enjoyed the engagement of my brain at times. The way Tartt pulls it all together with a multilayered plot and very nuanced characters shows her BBE off, she clearly knows her stuff and I guess wanted to show this off - however, the story and flow isn’t negatively impacted in doing so. I absolutely loved how parts were pieced together and everything just clicks in place, so so good!
The characters are primarily unlikable but you get to know them so well and in such depth that at times you do root for them, in essence wanting the baddies to get away with it. But they are jarringgggggggg. Like wow did they annoy me and it does get quite repetitive at points too. I think Bunny was the character I liked least and Francis most but there is nuance for days in this book. The developments, analysis and interactions between the characters is all done very well and intelligently so.
The things I didn’t particularly like all that much was how about the page 400 mark I felt it was at a great ending point but then it kept on going… and going… and going. I still enjoyed these parts in terms of writing style but the actual events weren’t to my taste in all honestly with certain plot points, a major plot twist I didn’t see coming, didn’t really add up all that well. Therefore, the messages the book portrays weren’t the best specifically in terms of suicide and reasons why people are led to it - a bit too much was left to the imagination. I also felt in this final third that I had spent too long with these characters (I’m not accustomed to long books btw) and their annoying qualities shone out a bit too much. I’d say an enhanced epilogue might have been a better solution or thinning out this part of the book I’d have preferred.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book but look into the trigger warnings first as there are quite a few and know it’s written in a BBE pretentious way that might not appeal to everyone. I’m glad I read it and would be one I’d be interested in revisiting in a few years to see if I could get more out it. I’ve also just written this after finishing the book so I might add to this review in the coming days or possibly make a video for my YouTube channel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Classism, Drug use, Murder, and Drug abuse
Minor: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Sexism, Suicide, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Blood, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
alba_marie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
<i>“It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it. And what could be more terrifying and beautiful, to souls like the Greeks or our own, than to lose control completely? To throw off the chains of being for an instant, to shatter the accident of our mortal selves? </i>
Dark academia is so, so clearly my style.
<i>The Secret History</i> caught my eye awhile ago, but when a friend read and recommended it at the tail end of dark winter's days, it seemed like the perfect time to read it. And I'm so, so glad I did.
My favourite book of the year so far, I really needed a 5 star win, and Donna Tartt did not disappoint. This is a story of a group of academics who get so caught up in their own world and philosophy, so cut off from the real world and other people, that when they do something terrible, they twist themselves and reality into knots to justify it, and to make it disappear. This is a book about the slow disintegration of a person's mind and morals in face of a darker, overwhelming group's philosophy. This is a book abut how far a person goes to justify a nonsensical act. About how far a person is willing to twist their own morals to fit into a group they yearn to join.
The writing is incredibly mature, mixing terribleness and beauty in equal parts. Claustrophobic and exclusive, this is a book full of unlikeable characters that you simply cannot get enough of. You know they can't win. You know they shouldn't win. You don't even <i>want </i> them to win. But you are darkly fascinated by them, you can't stop watching them. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion – you know it will be bad, but you can't take your eyes away.
Each of the characters were terrible, horrible people. They were in no way likeable. But they were in no way <i>meant</i> to be likeable, and in their terribleness, Tartt created a thing of beauty.
If you like dark academia, or just dark, juicy gothic stories, read <i>The Secret History</i> for sure.
Dark academia is so, so clearly my style.
<i>The Secret History</i> caught my eye awhile ago, but when a friend read and recommended it at the tail end of dark winter's days, it seemed like the perfect time to read it. And I'm so, so glad I did.
My favourite book of the year so far, I really needed a 5 star win, and Donna Tartt did not disappoint. This is a story of a group of academics who get so caught up in their own world and philosophy, so cut off from the real world and other people, that when they do something terrible, they twist themselves and reality into knots to justify it, and to make it disappear. This is a book about the slow disintegration of a person's mind and morals in face of a darker, overwhelming group's philosophy. This is a book abut how far a person goes to justify a nonsensical act. About how far a person is willing to twist their own morals to fit into a group they yearn to join.
The writing is incredibly mature, mixing terribleness and beauty in equal parts. Claustrophobic and exclusive, this is a book full of unlikeable characters that you simply cannot get enough of. You know they can't win. You know they shouldn't win. You don't even <i>want </i> them to win. But you are darkly fascinated by them, you can't stop watching them. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion – you know it will be bad, but you can't take your eyes away.
Each of the characters were terrible, horrible people. They were in no way likeable. But they were in no way <i>meant</i> to be likeable, and in their terribleness, Tartt created a thing of beauty.
If you like dark academia, or just dark, juicy gothic stories, read <i>The Secret History</i> for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Minor: Blood and Homophobia
hannalizzy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 Star Book, five star listening experience. It’s always so cool to hear it from the author themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Death, and Blood
remuslibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Toxic friendship, Death, Suicide, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Racism and Incest
Minor: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Antisemitism
ritugp01's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This novel was lauded as a modern classic from Pulitzer-winning author Donna Tart. I wholeheartedly agree. The disdain that filled me for all the characters in various classics like The Great Gatsby, Giovanni's Room, etc, also permeated throughout the experience of reading The Secret History. I consider this further evidence that it is an exquisite piece of literature.
The novel has been described as "a murder mystery in reverse." While this is a perfect description, the book is also a deep look in how easily murder occurs, even in seemingly normal people, as long as one opens themselves to the possibility.
The novel has been described as "a murder mystery in reverse." While this is a perfect description, the book is also a deep look in how easily murder occurs, even in seemingly normal people, as long as one opens themselves to the possibility.
Spoiler
In a tl;dr character analysis: Henry was utterly unhinged and I think I loved him regardless. Richard, the narrator was mediocre but served his purpose as a voyeur to multiple murders. Charles and Camilla? WTF. But also, they both sucked and I cannot decide who was worse. Francis is the only valid character but he's on this ice too. Julian is just Henry but older and willing to fake social skills. Lowkey, Bunny sucked but damn I feel bad he was killed. Like, he was just freaking out that his friends committed MURDER, it's totally understandable he was on the edge of a psychotic break. This book was a lot, and Judy Poovey is the only good person in the whole story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Death, Drug abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, Addiction, Cursing, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Car accident, Classism, Gaslighting, Excrement, Murder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Antisemitism, Self harm, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
queerloras's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Classism, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Blood, Gaslighting, Death, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
itsocchiolism's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
i wanted to like this book so much, especially after all the hype around it but it just wasn’t for me. i didn’t like the characters at all and couldn’t sympathize with them. they all need therapy, and deserved to go to jail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Incest, Addiction, Racism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Eating disorder, Drug use, Classism, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Self harm, Mental illness, Alcohol, Medical content, Drug abuse, Death, Suicide, Murder, Blood, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Misogyny
Minor: Rape
morgane_mntg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eventhough i don't like being scared and tense book, i loved this one. we love and then despise the characters and want to know their deep thoughts. i'm a bit disapointed by the second half of the book because it was sometimes very slow
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, and Violence
cfoley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Incest, Cursing, Violence, Toxic friendship, Injury/injury detail, Grief, Classism, Alcohol, Addiction, Drug use, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Death, Mental illness, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Suicide, Murder, Blood, Antisemitism, Animal death, and Gun violence