flaviasantos's review against another edition
2.0
Entertaining? Yes.
Also very very misoginistic and obviously queer baiting.
Also very very misoginistic and obviously queer baiting.
jillbobagginsbookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
risingballoons's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ticklemouse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emily_7's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this. Preferred it to the secret history. Brilliantly written with the dark academia aesthetic
robgreig's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
islaybooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is what I hoped The Secret History would be (which I unfortunately found quite slow). The same dark academia vibes, and interesting backgrounds and character developments.
It tells the story of Oliver, who has been in prison for a murder that still confuses the lead detective from the case - he thinks there was way more to the story but just couldn't prove it. When he is released from prison, Oliver decides to recount the story for the detective (now retired) to satisfy his curiosity. So he delves into the story and his time at school, where he studied Shakespeare with his six close friends at the academy. Naturally, one of these seven friends ended up dead, which was the crime Oliver confessed to and served time for.
I studied literature at A Level, so I do have quite a bit of Shakespeare study under my belt. However, I don't think that this knowledge is necessary for understanding the plot of the novel. Shakespeare adds to their behaviour in certain ways, but it is more focused on the dynamics of the young adults and how they change so much that death occurs.
Okay - the ENDING. This broke me. I sobbed into my sleeve at the ending, which was not something that I expected. It is so beautifully written that I was completely invested in the story and the characters and was completely heartbroken (although there was the slight suggestion of mystery at the very end, which I liked). Overall, a well written book with detail and descriptions that subtly unpeel the layers of the characters - definitely a great read.
It tells the story of Oliver, who has been in prison for a murder that still confuses the lead detective from the case - he thinks there was way more to the story but just couldn't prove it. When he is released from prison, Oliver decides to recount the story for the detective (now retired) to satisfy his curiosity. So he delves into the story and his time at school, where he studied Shakespeare with his six close friends at the academy. Naturally, one of these seven friends ended up dead, which was the crime Oliver confessed to and served time for.
I studied literature at A Level, so I do have quite a bit of Shakespeare study under my belt. However, I don't think that this knowledge is necessary for understanding the plot of the novel. Shakespeare adds to their behaviour in certain ways, but it is more focused on the dynamics of the young adults and how they change so much that death occurs.
Okay - the ENDING. This broke me. I sobbed into my sleeve at the ending, which was not something that I expected. It is so beautifully written that I was completely invested in the story and the characters and was completely heartbroken (although there was the slight suggestion of mystery at the very end, which I liked). Overall, a well written book with detail and descriptions that subtly unpeel the layers of the characters - definitely a great read.
caytlynn's review against another edition
DNF @ 50%
Honestly I’m just extra disappointed in this book. Everyone RAVED about it and I’m the end it was boring and predictable at times. I honestly never felt anything towards any of the characters.
The only thing that slightly held my interest was why Richard suddenly went psycho. I thought it would be looked into or just anything done about it. But from what I’ve heard everyone just accepts it as like jealousy. Which is just a low level excuse. So many others reasons could have been given that would have been so much more exciting.
Then to read reviews and realize that yes the book queer batted the shit out of our characters and the audience. We all could tell Oliver’s little chest pains every time he was around James was because he was gay but just didn’t realize it. It was overtly obvious. But James even though acting odd at times about hearing about his roommates sexual escapades with a girl but not also being into Oliver just overall being weird.
So to end it all out Oliver kills this man because he accused him of being gay for Oliver. You beat the living shit out of a man for saying you were gay. Then proceeded to let said man take the fall for you for 10 years. For him to then find out you committed suicide but wait he was left a note with some Shakespeare that might actually be hinting he’s still alive. Just why.
This is ridiculous in the worst way and I’m glad I didn’t finish this stupid book.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the atmosphere and the college-feel of this book. I enjoyed the use of Shakespeare in the writing/plot. The mystery was straight-forward and I think I would have liked to spend a little more time with these characters so I understood them better.