Take a photo of a barcode or cover
utopiaandmelancholy 's review for:
The Secret History
by Donna Tartt
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Glad I finally read this book, I completely understand the hype. The writing is beautiful and yet feels self-aware of its pretentiousness, totally encapsulating the character of the narrator. Not that you like him of course - I wouldn't say there's a single character in this book that you would consider likable, and I think that's the point.
However, I am deeply deeply thankful I chose to read this book now, and not when I was first recommended it when I started studying Latin and Greek seriously and would've considered it aspirational rather than cautionary. (Also, for some bizarre reason, I thought there was a scene in this book set in an empty swimming pool, which I kept waiting to materialise but never did, because no such scene exists.)
However, I am deeply deeply thankful I chose to read this book now, and not when I was first recommended it when I started studying Latin and Greek seriously and would've considered it aspirational rather than cautionary. (Also, for some bizarre reason, I thought there was a scene in this book set in an empty swimming pool, which I kept waiting to materialise but never did, because no such scene exists.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Suicide, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Vomit, Classism