Title: The Secret History
Author: Donna Tartt
What I think so far: I finally gave into the hype, and it feels so good. The Secret History reads intoxicatingly, like a guilty pleasure; yet, in combining an expertly written mystery with erudite themes, it creates a rare balance between entertainment fiction and quality literature. Tartt borrows heavily from Fitzgerald, both in style and theme, whilst adding a layer of decadence, a bit of Waugh, and something uniquely Tartt’s, turning this novel into an exciting hotchpotch of ideas and events. All in all, it makes for a highly unconventional and twisted story about a group of students on the road to destruction.
Would I recommend? Most definitely. Whether or not you’re into ancient Greek culture, high-brow academia, murder mysteries, dysfunctional families, or college angst themes, there is bound to be something suited to your tastes that will captivate your attention.
Rating: 9/10
Words by Kelly Lentz