A review by madisonjewellyoung
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.25

📖🔎📝🩸🏫🚪⚖️🌲

A fascinating read, no doubt. The writing style was interesting and at times caught my attention completely while at other times lost me. Looking back on the book as a whole, however, I find to appreciate it more through and through.

The characters!!! That was what kept me reading from start to finish. Deeply intriguing to read a book from the perspective of someone who sees themselves as a side character of their own recounted experience. Leaning away from spoilers : here is each character depicted in emojis.

🪰🔎🥸🕳️🔒🚪
🦊🧱🚘🪩🍾💔
🐰💸🌫️🎙️👩🏼🫵🏻
🐻💵📜📚📞🪨
🐺👫🏼🥃⛓️‍💥🤝🏻💊
🦌🪽🩸🫧 🥀🤍
🐙💓💃🏻🪩🥂👋🏻

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Classism

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Incest