Donna Tartt, winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for her most recent novel, The Goldfinch, established herself as a major talent with The Secret History, which has become a contemporary classic.Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum … a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever, and they discover how hard it can be to truly live and how easy it is to kill.
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So I finally read The Secret History and I LOVED IT — maybe even more than The Goldfinch? It was probably longer than it needed to be (again, maybe even more so than The Goldfinch) but I didn’t care because I was having such a good time. Murder! Privileged college students! Dead languages! Vermont! (No, seriously, I promise it’s good.)
A story of some eccentric college friends who cause a tragic event that is revealed over the course of the book. Meh? Yet, I find myself thinking back to the characters and wondering how they are doing… I know they are not real. But still… Not the least memorable part of this book is for how I it was introduced to it. I was in a used book …
This is a reread but it’s been such a pleasure to get back to Hampden College, Greek lessons, and intricate studies of both Dionysus and Plato.
Wow! This author is, with out a doubt, one of the finest writers of our day. I first read “The Goldfinch;” I was reminded of Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” Half way thru this novel, I could not forget John Fowles’ “The Magus.” I have reread both of those two or three times and would be surprised if I did not do this with this book as …
In Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, murder, lies, and classical studies blend in a suspense novel of moral questions.
Richard is a California drifter, in an angry working-class way, not a laid-back sunshiney way, who lands at a small, private college in Vermont. Then he stumbles into a tiny Greek class, led by a forceful, charismatic professor …
This is the best novel I have read in years.
The story of one young mans eccentric college years with his closest of classmates.
The characters are very deep & well represented. Tartt’s writing style is brilliant. I found this book to almost have a lyrical tone with in it. And yet her other novels, can read so differently. Newest favorite …
Richard and his four friends Charles, Camilla, Francis, and Henry are deeply involved in Greek studies and stage a bacchanal—during which they lose control and a murder occurs. Bunny finds out and turns to blackmail to get himself and his family out of a financial hole. The atmosphere is thick and tense; as you’re reading, you’ll find it …
Based off of this and the Goldfinch, Donna Tartt has this particular way of writing/depicting living/life that I just love. I preferred the Goldfinch (it’s my favorite book I’ve read in a long time and it made me feel something I can’t describe), but I still really enjoyed this book. It, like the Goldfinch, put me in an emotional state. I would …
This book has been described as a thriller and a crime novel but, if you are expecting to be thrilled or expecting some kind of mystery or whodunnit, then you may be disappointed. I would describe it as a drama and a kind of meditation on human nature and what group thinking and stronger, seductive influences can do to people. It is extremely …
Intelligent fiction.
Tart is a great writer. This book is one of my favorites. I have read it three times.
This stunning work has more layers than an onion. The mind boggles at the incredible amount of research that must have gone into this full, rich, and complete book. I was awe-struck by Donna Tartt’s talent, and of course incredibility envious. Inspiring!
“The Secret History” is a positively superb book, full of engaging characters and rich settings. It’s a thinker that also manages to be a page-turner, with enough action and tension and twists to keep you riveted throughout.
A genuinely great novel.
One of my all-time favorite books. The audiobook (as read by the author) is excellent as well.
Had me hooked hard until the very end. Honestly never wanted it to end.
Super dark book with a twisted group of people, but once I started reading I had to finish.
I’ve finished it during the night because I couldn’t stop… it’s very introguing and it takes you in the head of the main protagonist, so you think on the base of his impressions and considerations… simply amazing
Erudite reverse mystery.
Intelligent, informative,educating, well-designed story of broken lifes of the young people who dared to commit a crime