fujo_cat 's review for:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

4.0

dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Man, this book is something else. I can see why some don't like it and others adore it! I'd personally rate it a 4/5 - 3,5 or 3,75/5 if I was really critic of it but mostly 4/5 for the whole enjoyment of it.

Some critics I see is that the cast lacks personality and no one feels unique or, well, human. I- yeah, in some ways, that is true, I won't deny it. I think that was really evident in the beginning, especially

before Bunny's murder,

but as things develop, so do their behavior.

I think that also shows that showing yourself through your aesthetics and fantasies alone, presenting a fake image of you to others, is going to eventually destroy you and who you love. That final scene with Henry lives rent-free in my head still...

But without going too deep into it, I just really enjoyed the whole ride this had to offer-!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Violence, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Car accident