A review by colittle
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Richard failing to remember certain key details near the end of the story when he’s recalled everything else in vivid detail seems more like a cop-out than an intentional literary decision. Other than that, 5 stars. The seminal dark academia novel and an often satirical examination of class, elitism, and aestheticism. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Outing