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A review by racheljennetti
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was... okay. I can tell Tartt is a fantastic writer, and I understand the story. I love the concept, and the aesthetic, and if this book had a clearer buildup, I think it would have been my favorite book.
My main issue with this book is that it felt unrewarding. We know Bunny dies from the first line in the book so we're not spoiling. But, halfway through the book, we figure out how he died, and then we go back to before he died. I feel like if that paragraph was taken out, I'd like it a lot more. It just felt so anticlimactic. I went back and went "wait, did they just say that?"
I have a few pages left but honestly, I do genuinely see this book being a modern classic. I just think I'd like a bit more intensity. I like it when a book makes me gasp or emote while reading, but I never really got there in this book.
I do not think this is a bad book by any means, I just think the story wasn't such an amazing buildup for me. I completely respect anyone who loves this book, and it is written with a beautiful tone and a very clear vibe I can picture in my head.
I also feel like Julian isn't in this book a lot. I feel like he was built up to be so pivotal in the beginning, and then we don't see him for like, 200 pages. That might just be me, though.
3.5/5 - I just think this book by her wasn't for me, but I am going to try the Goldfinch!
My main issue with this book is that it felt unrewarding. We know Bunny dies from the first line in the book so we're not spoiling. But, halfway through the book, we figure out how he died, and then we go back to before he died. I feel like if that paragraph was taken out, I'd like it a lot more. It just felt so anticlimactic. I went back and went "wait, did they just say that?"
I have a few pages left but honestly, I do genuinely see this book being a modern classic. I just think I'd like a bit more intensity. I like it when a book makes me gasp or emote while reading, but I never really got there in this book.
I do not think this is a bad book by any means, I just think the story wasn't such an amazing buildup for me. I completely respect anyone who loves this book, and it is written with a beautiful tone and a very clear vibe I can picture in my head.
I also feel like Julian isn't in this book a lot. I feel like he was built up to be so pivotal in the beginning, and then we don't see him for like, 200 pages. That might just be me, though.
3.5/5 - I just think this book by her wasn't for me, but I am going to try the Goldfinch!