[(The Secret History)] [ By (author) Donna Tartt ] [July, 1995]

I don't know if I'll ever return with a long review (perhaps a paper or two I might end up publishing), given there's plenty, but I will say: this book has changed my life. And, funnily enough, I read it after The Goldfinch and didn't particularly like it. This was because I had read them too close together and had expectations. Becoming aware of this unconscious act, I took a break and shook off those comparisons I'd found myself making to let this story be separate and bloom in its own right. After doing so, that's when I became just as immersed in it as I had with The Goldfinch. Now, I find myself embracing myself more fully, and right after reading it, becoming indulgent with my interests in writing, reading, philosophy, and the Classics. I feel as though her work helped me greatly in finding my calling as well as myself and coming round to accepting these and many more things. Not many novels can help us in such life-changing ways, but this one absolutely calls us to examine ourselves and the world, honestly, and because of this, it does just that—changes the reader—that is, if we're bold enough to accept that call to adventure and introspection. Further reading suggestions: If you love this book and Homer, I highly recommend Why Homer Matters by Adam Nicolson! If Henry could have read it, I think he would have enjoyed it a great deal. I also think you might enjoy the book Danial Isn’t Real by Brian DeLeeuw if you wanted something more… Dionysian. I often see people say TSH is too slow and wonder if those very people wouldn't enjoy the latter rec. So, if you find that to be the case for you (this one a bit less exciting), I'd check that one out. This book has become a favorite of mine, which I reread as a comfort in changing seasons—especially so come winter. It somehow both excites and soothes me.

After seeing so many positive reviews, I decided to read it. I hated it. I didn't START off hating it. But once Richard meets the group, I started disliking it. Before long I hated it. It reminds me of The Catcher in the Rye. I hated everyone in the book. I hated how Tartt portrayed everyone and everything. I WILL give her credit for her immersive writing style that basically makes you a fly on the wall observing the chaos. She also did a great job with descriptions and scenery. By the way, no one could drink as much as that group does and attend class. They would all be in the morgue.