A review by elsie12
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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

4.25

Regarded as a classic in the “dark academia” subculture, this book did not disappoint. The book centres around our protagonist, Richard, and his classmates all of whom study Classics at Hampden College in rural Vermont.
When a Dionysian ritual goes wrong (or perhaps too right?) Richard’s classmates are left with bloody hands. In a bid to bury their misdeeds, Henry, constructs a plan, which unbeknownst to Richard, he is set to play a key part in.

As with any classic “dark academia” read, the characters are painted different shades of morally grey. Richard admits to the reader at the beginning that his fatal flaw is longing for the picturesque. His idolisation of his classmates and deep rooted desire to be loved and accepted by them means he is willing to turn a blind eye as his classmates’ actions become increasingly morally reprehensible. The illusion eventually shatters and he begins to see his classmates for what they truly are, and while as the reader I grew to loathe the majority of them, Richard still remains, for the most part, devoted. Disliking the characters does not detract from this story, Tartt writes in a way where you are not expected to love them. In fact, I dare say at times she pushes you to see how much she can get you to dislike them. As a result, the book at points takes sadistic and perverted turns, as Tartt shows you just how detrimental Richard’s fatal flaw is and what he is prepared to overlook!
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