A review by bookishfiendx
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is insanely written. Richard, the narrator, focuses so much on the mundane, intricate, and picturesque of his life- leading to a dense read. The details that Tartt focuses on from the greenery of the college to the way that Francis, Charles, or Camille move and talk help the reader dive right into this world. The relationships and characters are so flawed, yet you root for them at a point in the book. Richard's refusal to take off the rose-colored lens provides a perspective of "Oh, they really should have gotten put away for this, but why do I kind of agree with them".  Until you don't.

 The suspense is always creeping in the back, you never really know if anything will happen but you think it will. It is a long, dense read but the way Tartt gets the reader hooked in this world of friends and their whacky (highly illegal) actions is so entertaining. She has so many themes of class and wealth, politics, race, etc that are veiled through Richard's experiences that bring it together. 10/10
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