A review by sonda_says
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

When a book has been hyped up this much, both in the Tumblr Hall of Fame and the Forever Pinboard of Dark Academia, it is close to impossible for your reading experience to measure up to the hype.
 

However, even with the title of cult classics stripped away, it fell short as a novel. Content and plot are overridden by pages and pages of consequential scenes hidden behind paragraphs of rather insufferable characters frolicking. With Camilla feeling incredibly underdeveloped.
 

As the female protagonist in the book, she seemed to only exist for the men to project their heterosexuality onto. She had no purpose and 
  no agency that wasn't her hair fluttering attractively in the wind or the way her eyes looked when they caught a glint of sunlight. As well as her affections to be a source of conflict for the male characters who were all allowed to endeavor to greater things. But even those moments that were set into action by them. Moments of conflict and murder and plotting mystery were described by such a drab character, unmoved by almost anything, that it becomes impossible to spark the expected interest from the person reading it.
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