Review by notnikka - The Secret History

notnikka 's review for:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

5.0

dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

“It is is better to know one book intimately than a hundred superficially.”

I read this book a year ago and didn't give it much thought until I saw the quote above, at which point I thought to myself, yes, that's right, because every year I set a goal to read at least 100 books (which I never achieved!). At the beginning of July, however, I began reading books with a different approach - absorbing each word, analyzing each sentence, and taking my time.

I have completed 15 days of rereading The Secret History. I read it at my own pace without any pressure, and I have no regrets. While I was reading the novel, all I could think about was a review I had read on Goodreads stating that Richard is an unreliable narrator. This statement enabled me to analyze the book more thoroughly. I've noticed a lot of sentences that suggest Richard is an unreliable narrator, such as when he says, "...it has always been difficult for me to talk about Julian without romanticizing him." Are we reading a story that Richard romanticized?

I find it hard to imagine that this is Tartt's first published novel, because her writing is so excellent. Every single aspect was well-represented. I could go on and on about each and every character in this novel. They're all very intricate. I, too, felt manipulated at times (haha), but the scene where Bunny's dad broke down in tears was quite touching. Even though their relationship is strange, I could sense their grief, and I could tell that Richard felt a lot of guilt after that.

The Secret History is an absolutely captivating tale that has left me speechless. The prose is simply breathtaking, drawing you in and refusing to let go. I find myself totally obsessed with this phenomenal story, and could easily spend more time delving into its intricate details.

Content Warnings