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A review by nigel_hakeem
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book lives up to the hype.
Tart writes with beautiful prose and the characters are compelling in the most heart-wrenching way. They are so over their head and not at all prepared or ready to deal with the consequences of their actions once brought back down to earth. One could easily dislike the cast of characters, but sorrow is the more appropriate reaction.
Tart uses the first-person perspective expertly. We are never sure what is really happening because we only get the POV from Richard and information is only given to him in pieces, and we are never sure how trustworthy that information is. This could be a flaw in a lesser writer but Tart pulls it off and it makes the novel hard to put down.
The ending broke my heart and I want to recommend this book to everyone I meet.
Tart writes with beautiful prose and the characters are compelling in the most heart-wrenching way. They are so over their head and not at all prepared or ready to deal with the consequences of their actions once brought back down to earth. One could easily dislike the cast of characters, but sorrow is the more appropriate reaction.
Tart uses the first-person perspective expertly. We are never sure what is really happening because we only get the POV from Richard and information is only given to him in pieces, and we are never sure how trustworthy that information is. This could be a flaw in a lesser writer but Tart pulls it off and it makes the novel hard to put down.
The ending broke my heart and I want to recommend this book to everyone I meet.