Reviews tagging 'Cultural appropriation'

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

4 reviews

pbthealien's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.75

The Secret History is a perfect representation of the most carnal violent desires of the human experience, a perverse obsession with the macabre, and the arrogance of (specifically wealthy) youth. Allowing the audience to grow to love these characters, to empathize with them, was a stroke of genius by the author. For the first few hundred pages I thought the pacing was too slow, but the author was merely allowing enough time for the characters to become familiar and relatable. 

Without spoiling the plot, I believe the narrative was divisive and engaging throughout, while still deeply linking to the novel’s core themes. The juxtaposition of the groups’ erratic and cruel actions and their sophisticated environment serves to highlight their depravity even more. 

Richard, specifically, was a character who felt like a blank slate in the best way. He is the Everyman in a sea of wealthy elites, who is just along for the ride with the others. He is the only part of the book on which I am torn. I would have loved to see his character expanded upon more considering he was the MC, but his (relatively) passive role in the plot serves to provide a reliable narration.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, Incest, Suicide attempt, Racism, Suicide, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Mental illness, Death, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Classism, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol

andreadelo's review against another edition

challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Murder, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Antisemitism, Vomit, Addiction, Death, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Violence, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Outing, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Grief, Domestic abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation

jelliestars's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Death, Drug abuse, Islamophobia, Racism, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Blood, Homophobia, Murder, Suicide, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Sexism, Animal death, Cursing, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Medical content, Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Antisemitism, and Car accident

Minor: Eating disorder, Excrement, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping

pobi's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Like a murder mystery but back to front. Hated the first 100 pages and then couldn't stop reading for the rest of it. I enjoyed it tremendously (perhaps because of how dramatic all the characters are) but also I'm a little surprised (concerned?) that this is the centerpoint of dark academia and so many people seemed to want to emulate these people - they're not particularly charming really. I guess it has an almost Dorian Gray vibe to it sometimes though.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Self harm, Addiction, Alcoholism, Classism, Alcohol, Drug use, and Murder

Minor: Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Homophobia, Antisemitism, and Cultural appropriation