A review by saramcaps
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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

5.0

Does such a thing as 'the fatal flaw,' that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature? I used to think it didn't. Now I think it does. And I think that mine is this: a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.

It’s possibly my favorite opening line of all time. It immediately gives way to two of the themes of the book: that aesthetics influence our measure of morality and beauty is not inherently good.

Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it.

At its core, this is a story of academic elitism and destructive groupthink with unlikeable characters and a slow, suspenseful plot. The writing is lyrical and sophisticated. Altogether it's quite unsettling.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings