A review by racheldkidder
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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

3.5

This was hands down the weirdest book I have ever read. When I was around 200 pages into the book someone asked me what it was about and I had to tell them I did not know because the only thing of significance that had happened was Richard starting his classes. The beginning of this book is incredibly slow-paced and I felt like nothing was happening until around page 250. Things did eventually pick up, but I would still often find myself reading and wonder what the scene I had just read had to do with the story at all other than to develop the characters, which should have been done much earlier in the book. I realize it sounds like I didn't enjoy the book but I truly did. I do not regret reading it but I probably will never pick it up again or recommend it to anyone. I loved the way the characters were so flawed and not all just perfect white kids running around with money to spare and no consequences to their actions. I do think there was a larger message to the story I missed and I am willing to accept that some of my critiques might be explained by whatever that message was. That being said, I still think there are some things that were unnecessary and inexplicable. for example,
Charles and Cammila sleeping together. Why was there incest and what purpose did it serve?
If it was to give the characters flaws, they already had plenty and did not need that one in particular. I also thought it was odd how the author chose to include that detail, but then only mention it in passing and only ever truly address it once. The ending
of Henry killing himself
, while in my opinion unnecessary, did work to improve the story. Logically, I cannot figure out why that seemed like the right thing to do, but it was, in a way, poetic and felt like a good way to end the book. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it was so strange and confusing that I cannot say I would recommend it. This is the first time I have ever felt this way about a book and hopefully will be the last. As always, please check trigger warnings because there are a lot in this book.
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