A review by roseisvibing
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

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

3.0

The Secret History is so slow-paced, oh my god. While the writing is very descriptive, there is so much unnecessary writing that makes you want to give up reading it. It takes like 200 pages (out of 600) of build up for any major plot development to happen. I like the intended message, but it is presented so indirectly in a text that is overall so longwinded that it almost loses meaning. It's the kind of book where you have to sit and process once you've finished- not in the 'wow, this has really affected me' kind of way, but in the 'what in the fuck did I just read' kind of way. The meaning/themes are very subtle, which meant I was left trying to figure out what point Tartt was intending to make with them. At times, it feels like events are just happening without a point to them. 

Also, I find the book's recent BookTok popularity very ironic given its intended message. I've seen people recommending this book because it's very 'dark academia' or 'aesthetic'- people are recommending it based on the aesthetics of the setting and the descriptive writing, which the book absolutely does provide (in an overly longwinded manner). However, the book's intended message is that having an obsession or fixation on aesthetics or outward appearances can lead to people overlooking necessary practical or internal traits. So, ironically, Tartt's text has kind of become exactly the opposite of what she intended, given that most readers' descriptions are reducing it to its aesthetics rather than its actual message and dark themes. 
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