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A review by paigeinthepages_sg
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If you are a lover of weird books like I am, this is a must read.
This inverted dark academia mystery centers on Richard, a lower-middle-class Californian who finds himself drawn into the lives of East Coast elites while studying classics at a college in Virginia. This eccentric group, united by their love of Greek studies, becomes entangled in events that push the boundaries of morality.
Donna Tartt finds a way to make even the worst characters feel beautiful and lovable. Despite all that happens in the book, I finished it still feeling quite dearly for the characters.
The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star is the length. Although the pacing and immersive writing allowed me to get through this book with little fatigue, I felt like it could have been 100 or so pages shorter and still have the same impact.
This inverted dark academia mystery centers on Richard, a lower-middle-class Californian who finds himself drawn into the lives of East Coast elites while studying classics at a college in Virginia. This eccentric group, united by their love of Greek studies, becomes entangled in events that push the boundaries of morality.
Donna Tartt finds a way to make even the worst characters feel beautiful and lovable. Despite all that happens in the book, I finished it still feeling quite dearly for the characters.
The only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star is the length. Although the pacing and immersive writing allowed me to get through this book with little fatigue, I felt like it could have been 100 or so pages shorter and still have the same impact.