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A review by stvalentine
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i have been implored for years by my friends to read this book, and i knew why only a few pages. donna tartt's writing style is magnetic - the way that she tells the narrative draws you in, just as richard is drawn into the cult-like friend group (classics students are exactly like that). there are times when the text is indistinguishable between narrative and poetry, and is all the more beautiful for it. i see now why this book is such a legend, has a comfortable, gilded seat on so many essential reading lists, and is endlessly described as having a cult following. creepy, enthralling, intimate, poisonous, life-changing. go read it.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Grief, Animal cruelty, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Gore, Gun violence, Animal death, Blood, Death, Xenophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Drug use, and Vomit
Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Addiction, and Racism