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A review by salem0
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
read by and reviewed: 10.02.23
this review may be a bit disjointed, i have so much to say.
really good, i think. i had to look into the book's meaning a bit after i finished it. the story, as i understand, plays out like a greek tragedy- with all the titular characters in the end stuck in the past, with various degrees of badly-dealt-with trauma.
finding out slowly how julian played a hand in the whole fiasco, and the whole group- even henry- were manipulated by this illusion of divinity is pretty interesting. henry's death feels very much like a tragic greek hero's sacrifice, and it really drives home how much of a myth he and the gang were playing into throughout the book- obsessed with ancient greece, trying to seem more elite than they actually were (often to a pretentious extent), trying to be like greek characters to a point where they attempt a bacchanal- not to mention how they become more and more disconnected from reality- till it all crashes down.
richard, the unreliable narrator telling the story of his 'secret history', is the most sympathetic fellow of the group i found, though there is some irritation warranted for his pretentiousness. his idolization of the professor and his friends, and how he slowly comes to realize he may have been wrong about them all this time, was one of the best parts of the story. watching all the characters lose their shit after bunny's death is quite fascinating, and just a bit saddening, though when you remember the terrible things they've done it feels like some dramatic comeuppance. you still end up feeling a little sad for how it's all turned out for them. i found myself hoping that richard, and maybe francis, get better, that he moves on one day from all that's occurred. it's a very tragic, tragic ending, executed perfectly.
last up, in terms of technical stuff- the writing's great, and there are so many beautiful quotes in this book. it really could've been cut down tho, the first half just has so many unnecessary parts. nearly all of the part where richard's fumbling around during the break could have been removed. it would've been nice to see more of camilla too. that's all. overall, good shit.
this review may be a bit disjointed, i have so much to say.
really good, i think. i had to look into the book's meaning a bit after i finished it. the story, as i understand, plays out like a greek tragedy- with all the titular characters in the end stuck in the past, with various degrees of badly-dealt-with trauma.
finding out slowly how julian played a hand in the whole fiasco, and the whole group- even henry- were manipulated by this illusion of divinity is pretty interesting. henry's death feels very much like a tragic greek hero's sacrifice, and it really drives home how much of a myth he and the gang were playing into throughout the book- obsessed with ancient greece, trying to seem more elite than they actually were (often to a pretentious extent), trying to be like greek characters to a point where they attempt a bacchanal- not to mention how they become more and more disconnected from reality- till it all crashes down.
richard, the unreliable narrator telling the story of his 'secret history', is the most sympathetic fellow of the group i found, though there is some irritation warranted for his pretentiousness. his idolization of the professor and his friends, and how he slowly comes to realize he may have been wrong about them all this time, was one of the best parts of the story. watching all the characters lose their shit after bunny's death is quite fascinating, and just a bit saddening, though when you remember the terrible things they've done it feels like some dramatic comeuppance. you still end up feeling a little sad for how it's all turned out for them. i found myself hoping that richard, and maybe francis, get better, that he moves on one day from all that's occurred. it's a very tragic, tragic ending, executed perfectly.
last up, in terms of technical stuff- the writing's great, and there are so many beautiful quotes in this book. it really could've been cut down tho, the first half just has so many unnecessary parts. nearly all of the part where richard's fumbling around during the break could have been removed. it would've been nice to see more of camilla too. that's all. overall, good shit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Drug use, Addiction, Homophobia, and Suicide
Minor: Antisemitism, Incest, Sexual content, Outing, Religious bigotry, and Sexism