A review by iknewlizzie
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

adventurous dark funny tense slow-paced

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

5.0

what the fuck!!!!!!! it took me quite a while to read it because i read the physical book but WOW this book is actually insane like what the hell did i just read.

can we talk about richard ??? like i’m sorry but the way he just lets himself get pulled into this entire murder cult with no questions asked ??? he’s just like “oh they’re eccentric” ??? him being all “wow this is intense” while watching people lose their minds was so funny.

and don’t even get me started on henry. the most insane man i’ve ever read about. scary smart, scary calm, scary everything. like how did all these people just follow him ??? if i was in that group i would’ve moved schools or changed my name or move country. he was WEIRD AF!!! and the ending ??? i still don’t get it. like why did he kill himself ?? he was so calm about everything then suddenly boom shotgun in the head. i feel like he had a plan but also i don’t think even he knew what it was.

and francis !!! i love him but boy he needs therapy 

then bunny ???? THE WORST. like he really went from annoying rich kid (when he was actually broke) to blackmailing psychopath so fast it gave me whiplash.

no because the twins ??? that was not normal. the vibe between camilla and charles gave me actual chills. like i don’t know what was going on exactly but it felt wrong every time they were in the same room. and the worst part ?? no one really talked about it. just casual incest floating around

and charles ?? i hated him by the end. he was always spiraling, always drunk, always angry, and somehow still acting like he was the victim. like sorry your life is hard charles but maybe don’t physically attack your sister or hold a gun on your friends. he kept hiding behind alcohol like it excused everything and i was just DONE.

these people are insane. like genuinely. no one acts like a human being in this book. and i’m obsessed with it. like i get why they killed bunny but also ?? maybe just stop being friends with him ??? like i get he knew about the accident but who would’ve believed him he sounded INSANE (and the fact that they did cult sacrifices and shit would’ve made sound even more insane)

anyway 10/10 spiral into madness, no one is ok, and i loved it!!!!!!