A review by readinghavoc
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

I really enjoyed this book – it was dense at times and intimidatingly long, but the pay-off is well worth it. Kept me on the edge of my seat and continuously shocked me. The first hundred pages dragged and I almost put it down, but I'm so glad I didn't. The last 100 pages alone more than make up for it. The characters were hard for me to connect to because they were so pretentious but as you progress through the book it becomes clear that that serves its own purposes in the story. Super bizarre story, would recommend it to someone looking for a really thoroughly laid out thriller who doesn't mind making the investment for a big thrill. Interested to read some of Tartt's other work (after some easier, quicker reads lol).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment