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A review by excepto
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It is nice to read a novel for a change.
It is fascinating to read that and it raises the weird urge of suddenly wanting to study classics, go round a bunch of charity shops, changing the entirety of your wardrobe, and picking up a bunch of old philosophy books and also homer. This is especially enticing when in the first half of the book. At the same time you know how the story is going to end from the very beginning, in a bold move Tart decides to lay out her ending on the very first page.
It is interesting to look at the depiction of a 80s(?) American college campus and seeing the various groups and subcultures that function there. By Richard's classification I'm afraid I'm firmly placed in the hippy camp, hacky-sacking on the grass bare-foot.
At the same time the elitism of the protagonists is quite startling, just taking out cash out of their pockets on a whim. We get an interesting view of that from Richard's side who is not from money, but yet somehow manages to get on with their crowd. At places we have Henry voicing quite 'worrying' statements about how only the greats should have a say about the world, I'm not entirely sure what the book is trying to make me think of that as even Richard himself does not react to this very strongly.
I also notice how easily lying comes to Richard and it just seems odd to me, but maybe I just give a lot of consideration to truth.
The ending is quite heavy and depressing, I somehow hoped for something better, but should have known what was coming.
It is fascinating to read that and it raises the weird urge of suddenly wanting to study classics, go round a bunch of charity shops, changing the entirety of your wardrobe, and picking up a bunch of old philosophy books and also homer. This is especially enticing when in the first half of the book. At the same time you know how the story is going to end from the very beginning, in a bold move Tart decides to lay out her ending on the very first page.
It is interesting to look at the depiction of a 80s(?) American college campus and seeing the various groups and subcultures that function there. By Richard's classification I'm afraid I'm firmly placed in the hippy camp, hacky-sacking on the grass bare-foot.
At the same time the elitism of the protagonists is quite startling, just taking out cash out of their pockets on a whim. We get an interesting view of that from Richard's side who is not from money, but yet somehow manages to get on with their crowd. At places we have Henry voicing quite 'worrying' statements about how only the greats should have a say about the world, I'm not entirely sure what the book is trying to make me think of that as even Richard himself does not react to this very strongly.
I also notice how easily lying comes to Richard and it just seems odd to me, but maybe I just give a lot of consideration to truth.
The ending is quite heavy and depressing, I somehow hoped for something better, but should have known what was coming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Religious bigotry