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A review by printempsdesens
Dio di Illusioni by Donna Tartt
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
To begin I’d like to say this is the only book that was really worth the hype. I had heard a lot around this book and I was a little reticent about starting it cause I was afraid I was gonna hate it like happened with other popular books but luckily that didn’t happen.
I won’t be long about the plot cause we all know what’s about: a criticism to all the elite academic class, the decadence of the “american dream” and the escapism through the search for some kind of true beauty.
Every character is an exaggerated parodic representation of some morally gray characteristics of human being. I don’t think Tartt’s aim was to make the characters relatable nor likable but there’s something interesting unfolding the stories of corruption and I see no romanticization despite the fascinating settings and descriptions which are one of the most beautiful elements of this well written masterpiece.
Richard finds himself to Hampden and became obsessive about getting into this exclusive Greek class group. He idealizes its members and Mr Julian Morris as well, but it’s only when he gets into it that he understands the beauty pursued is a lie.
“Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it.”
ndr. this quote reminded me not only Oscar Wilde’s The picture of Dorian Gray but even Melville’s Moby Dick as the beautiful white whale is associated with negative characteristics and the similarity with Ahab’s hubris in the Greek group that pursues a beauty that is sick and evil. But this is only my own reference, do not really mind it.
Going on with the book we find out the turbid dynamics going on between this group of friends and it’s only thanks to Richard’s outsider perspective that we can experience that. In fact despite entering into this small circle and participating to its rituals he never really integrates. Which considering the fact he is the only one coming from a lower social class could also be a metaphor and a critique to the “American dream” decadence.
Another element that makes me think to the empty values that are preached is Julian’s reaction when he finds out everything (side note: i’ve LOVED the way he discovers it, that was an extremely pleasurable scene).
Julian, afraid of being involved, leaves. Everything he had been preached decades showing his true colors even about the fake feelings of affections he has on his students. The relationship they have had has always been really weird, the endless work of worshipping is quit here. The myth falls.
One of the most hit by this is his pupil Henry which on the opposite took literally his lessons and had built a strong sense of community and sacrifice. He k words himself to save his friends giving much sense to the danger of not well education. You see for all the book we are lead to think their minds are more educated cause they study Greek and classics and never get in touch with reality though descriptions of the other students but the education system fails both of the parties. The danger of learning but not being able to have critical approach following literally what you learn… well henry is the example of it.
Of course this is not an excuse for their bad actions also despite being manipulated by Julian’s teaching and the fact they came from rich context yeah but also context where the supervision of their parents is weak but it was interesting going though their psyches and understanding why they acted like they did.
Again it’s all fiction and I would never romanticize something like that even because I found this whole dark academia aesthetic such a critique and not something to live for. We can appreciate well written books even if we would never do bacchanal and murder people. I think I’m gonna stop here since I already wrote A LOT but since i have a feeling this book will be stuck in my mind for a bit I might add something signaling it of course.
I won’t be long about the plot cause we all know what’s about: a criticism to all the elite academic class, the decadence of the “american dream” and the escapism through the search for some kind of true beauty.
Every character is an exaggerated parodic representation of some morally gray characteristics of human being. I don’t think Tartt’s aim was to make the characters relatable nor likable but there’s something interesting unfolding the stories of corruption and I see no romanticization despite the fascinating settings and descriptions which are one of the most beautiful elements of this well written masterpiece.
Richard finds himself to Hampden and became obsessive about getting into this exclusive Greek class group. He idealizes its members and Mr Julian Morris as well, but it’s only when he gets into it that he understands the beauty pursued is a lie.
“Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it.”
ndr. this quote reminded me not only Oscar Wilde’s The picture of Dorian Gray but even Melville’s Moby Dick as the beautiful white whale is associated with negative characteristics and the similarity with Ahab’s hubris in the Greek group that pursues a beauty that is sick and evil. But this is only my own reference, do not really mind it.
Going on with the book we find out the turbid dynamics going on between this group of friends and it’s only thanks to Richard’s outsider perspective that we can experience that. In fact despite entering into this small circle and participating to its rituals he never really integrates. Which considering the fact he is the only one coming from a lower social class could also be a metaphor and a critique to the “American dream” decadence.
Another element that makes me think to the empty values that are preached is Julian’s reaction when he finds out everything (side note: i’ve LOVED the way he discovers it, that was an extremely pleasurable scene).
Julian, afraid of being involved, leaves. Everything he had been preached decades showing his true colors even about the fake feelings of affections he has on his students. The relationship they have had has always been really weird, the endless work of worshipping is quit here. The myth falls.
One of the most hit by this is his pupil Henry which on the opposite took literally his lessons and had built a strong sense of community and sacrifice. He k words himself to save his friends giving much sense to the danger of not well education. You see for all the book we are lead to think their minds are more educated cause they study Greek and classics and never get in touch with reality though descriptions of the other students but the education system fails both of the parties. The danger of learning but not being able to have critical approach following literally what you learn… well henry is the example of it.
Of course this is not an excuse for their bad actions also despite being manipulated by Julian’s teaching and the fact they came from rich context yeah but also context where the supervision of their parents is weak but it was interesting going though their psyches and understanding why they acted like they did.
Again it’s all fiction and I would never romanticize something like that even because I found this whole dark academia aesthetic such a critique and not something to live for. We can appreciate well written books even if we would never do bacchanal and murder people. I think I’m gonna stop here since I already wrote A LOT but since i have a feeling this book will be stuck in my mind for a bit I might add something signaling it of course.