The Secret History

by Donna Tartt
The Secret History cover
Good Books rating 3.56
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £25.00
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 62
  • Added: 2025-08-30
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781405529631
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-05-02
  • Formats: 70
  • Reviews: 4

In this modern classic, Donna Tartt masterfully weaves a tale of intellectual pursuit and moral ambiguity. A group of eccentric misfits at an elite New England college, guided by their charismatic Classics professor, embrace a way of life far removed from their peers. Their journey into the depths of classical thought and lifestyle leads them to cross moral boundaries, culminating in a tragic event that irrevocably alters their lives. The novel explores themes of morality, the allure of the past, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. With its rich literary allusions and sophisticated prose, 'The Secret History' is a haunting and compelling exploration of how easily the line between good and evil can be crossed.

Reviews
Wordcrafters · 2025-10-24
engaging 4.50

The novel is described as riveting, gritty, and darkly humorous, with a compelling narrative driven by its protagonist.

The reviewer praises 'The Secret History' for its riveting and gritty narrative, highlighting the darkly humorous elements that make the story engaging. They appreciate the protagonist's perspective and the way the story unfolds, creating a compelling and immersive experience. The reviewer also notes the novel's ability to balance drama and playfulness, making it a standout read. They find the characters and their interactions to be particularly intriguing, adding depth to the overall story.

Quick quotes

    The Secret History is a riveting, gritty, darkly humorous novel narrated by the fictional Richard Papen.

    The novel's ability to balance drama and playfulness makes it a standout read.

    The characters and their interactions add depth to the overall story.

What Cathy Read Next... · 2025-02-04
engaging 4.25

The book is praised for its vivid character development and engaging narrative, though it requires patience due to its length. The writing is described as brilliant, bringing the characters to life effectively.

The reviewer appreciates how Donna Tartt crafts her characters with depth and complexity, making them feel real and compelling. They note that the novel is lengthy and it takes a while before the story fully captivates, but the payoff is worthwhile as the characters and their interactions become deeply engaging. The narrative unfolds with a careful build-up, keeping the reader invested in the psychological dynamics and the unfolding mystery.

Quick quotes

    She does a brilliant job of bringing the characters she created to life.

    The Secret History is a long book and it isn't until later that it fully captures you.

    The narrative is engaging and the characters are complex and well-drawn.

Book Dragon Lair · 2024-09-24
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer loved the novel for its dark, academic, and irreverent themes, despite its many trigger warnings. They found it captivating and well-crafted.

The reviewer from Book Dragon Lair expresses a deep appreciation for The Secret History, describing it as a dark, academic, and irreverent masterpiece. They highlight the novel's ability to captivate readers with its complex characters and intricate plot. The reviewer acknowledges the presence of numerous trigger warnings but believes they add to the book's authenticity and depth. They praise Tartt's writing style and the way she weaves together themes of morality, guilt, and redemption.

Quick quotes

    Overall, I loved The Secret History in all its dark, questionable, academic, and irreverent glory.

    It's a landmine of trigger warnings (both subtle and not).

    Tartt manages to sweep you up in the characters lives and makes your heart break.

Michigan Daily · 2023-02-08
disappointing 1.00

The novel is criticized for being bloated and disrespectful, with the reviewer advising against recommending it to others. They find the book's length and themes problematic.

The reviewer from Michigan Daily takes a strong stance against The Secret History, describing it as bloated and disrespectful. They argue that the novel's length and themes are overdone and not well-executed, leading to a negative reading experience. The reviewer suggests that the book's popularity is undeserved and that readers might be better off exploring other works. They highlight the book's flaws in character development and narrative structure, which they believe detract from the overall impact.

Quick quotes

    Donna Tartt's classic novel, 'The Secret History,' is bloated and disrespectful and you should stop recommending it to people.

    The novel's length and themes are overdone and not well-executed.

    The book's popularity is undeserved.

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