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A review by leospressos
Le Maître des illusions by Donna Tartt
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Words can't do this book justice. I don't think a book has ever made me feel this way, and I don't think I'll ever love a book this much. I'd give it 6 stars, even 8!, If I could. It made me rethink my entire rating system. No other book deserves to be a 5 stars like this one.
The writing is impeccable; not too heavy on descriptions, there's a few references and latin/greek passages that are easy to look up, and Donna Tartt does an amazing job at keeping you in the atmosphere. The characters are also great. You want to be them, you want to know them, even though they are morally grey and you know you shouldn't want that. Even with their flaws, I grew to love them so much I miss them now that the book is finished.
"Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming."
The writing is impeccable; not too heavy on descriptions, there's a few references and latin/greek passages that are easy to look up, and Donna Tartt does an amazing job at keeping you in the atmosphere. The characters are also great. You want to be them, you want to know them, even though they are morally grey and you know you shouldn't want that. Even with their flaws, I grew to love them so much I miss them now that the book is finished.
"Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail