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A review by utopiaandmelancholy
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Glad I finally read this book, I completely understand the hype. The writing is beautiful and yet feels self-aware of its pretentiousness, totally encapsulating the character of the narrator. Not that you like him of course - I wouldn't say there's a single character in this book that you would consider likable, and I think that's the point.
However, I am deeply deeply thankful I chose to read this book now, and not when I was first recommended it when I started studying Latin and Greek seriously and would've considered it aspirational rather than cautionary. (Also, for some bizarre reason, I thought there was a scene in this book set in an empty swimming pool, which I kept waiting to materialise but never did, because no such scene exists.)
However, I am deeply deeply thankful I chose to read this book now, and not when I was first recommended it when I started studying Latin and Greek seriously and would've considered it aspirational rather than cautionary. (Also, for some bizarre reason, I thought there was a scene in this book set in an empty swimming pool, which I kept waiting to materialise but never did, because no such scene exists.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Suicide, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, and Classism