The Secret History - Donna Tartt

The Review:

Donna Tartt’s world-renowned writing skills are showcased in her novel, The Secret History, which is a beautiful endeavor showcasing rich characters and their slow deep dive into insanity. The Secret History truly is a modern masterpiece that lives up to its high praise. The protagonist, Richard, is an entertaining and extremely descriptive young man who finds himself amongst a group of prestigious students who attend his college in Vermont. His fellow scholars are Bunny, Francis, Henry, Charles, and Camilla— the only girl in the group. The Secret History breaks down the nature of human beings and how our evil behavior stems from selfish motives. Donna Tartt’s characters stand out with great personalities and unique behaviors, despite most of it being satire for the overall message of the book. The Secret History touches base on the destructive power of obsession while also serving as a satirical mockery of those who romanticise dark academia. 

My Opinion:

I loved The Secret History. I keep this book very close to my heart and believe that it has helped shape my moral beliefs in various aspects of life and philosophy. The dynamic between Henry and Julian— or even Richard and Francis- has so many twists and turns due to our unreliable narrator. Julian’s departure ultimately caused Henry’s outburst, which ends in Richard being shot. This left me with an even greater desire to know what their relationship was like behind closed doors. Henry’s obsession with Julian was something foreign to the rest of the characters. Considering this book a Modern Classic shows how well-written and developed The Secret History truly is. I strongly recommend this novel to any reader who loves classic literature, dark academia, Greek mythology, or has a strong desire to commit murder. Although I don't recommend the last one!