The Secret History by Donna Tartt Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Secret History
Book Review: BRILLIANT!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the most brilliant books I have ever read. I urge everyone who reads this review to buy it without question. The plot, writing and character detail is absorbing, intelligent, witty and thought provoking. If I could have only one book on a desert island, this would be it. Buy it now!Book Review: Beautiful and chilling
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Secret History" is one of my favorite books. Briefly, it's the story of an "innocent" (Tartt's characters are too complex and well-drawn to put into little boxes) college kid who joins a group of elite Greek scholars at a small liberal arts college. This coterie is intent on recreating the Greek ritual of the Bacchinal (sex, drugs, you name it) and, unfortunately, a student dies during one such attempt. So "The Secret History" is a bit of a murder mystery, even though we all know who did it! The writing is beautiful. Donna Tartt has a distinct talent for detail, and the dialogue is some of the best I've read in a contemporary novel. I've lent this book to several people and they've all really liked it. In fact, one of them failed to return it and I no longer have a copy of my own!
I was happy to learn how many people on Amazon.com liked this book: I didn't realize it was so popular. I too find the characters especially memorable. One of the reasons I wanted to review "The Secret History" even though 317 reviewers did so before me is that people neglected to mention Julian in their reviews. Julian is the Greek professor, a crazy Gore Vidal/Walter Pater hybrid who encourages his students' mania and singleminded passion for the aesthetic. Julian is a celebrated wit and host: his classroom is a natatorium full of plants and statues and he keeps a jar of Mont Blanc pens on his conference table. He hosts little dinners for his special students. He knows what they're up to and probably wishes to join the Bacchanal himself. Julian's students adore him as he is knowledge, learning, and cosmopolitanism personified. But what do you think Julian does when things get complicated?
You'll have to read the book now. Ha!
Book Review: Beginner's Luck?
Summary: 5 Stars
If only everybody could get it this right the very first time. Let's just hope this virgin novelist doesn't crawl back into her cave for another 9 years. We need writers like her - insightful, provocative, challenging - a refreshing contrast to the Tom Clancy-types who mob our bookstores. The only downfall to this novel? As the character study that it is, it fails to deliver satisfactory development. Something I'd expect from a writer whose attention to detail leads her to quote passages that span several languages and several centuries. FYI, Hollywood is buzzing - the movie is expected next summer. So hurry up and read it - we all know what can become of a good book once we've seen a lousy film adaptation. And please, pray with me that Winona Ryder doesn't get cast as Camilla..Book Review: Begs to be filmed
Summary: 5 Stars
A world so skillfully and seductively drawn, I couldn't stop casting the film in my head. During my first reading of The Secret History, Donna Tartt was to blame for my late arrivals at the office and days half-asleep at my desk. Couldn't put it down, didn't want to see it end. Spiced with a hint of the supernatural, this well crafted tale of psychological suspense simultaneously fills you with dread and welcomes you into a beautifully atmospheric world you'll hate to leave. Where is Donna Tartt? I'm still waiting to read more. And still waiting for the movie.Book Review: Bet the Kirkus Reviewer feels like an idiot...
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved it -- locked myself in my apartment for a weekend until I finished. I think it's interesting how many reviews focus on how "pretentious" the book is -- frankly, I think the most fantastic part of the book was being introduced to the classics in such a seductive way. This book made me reach intellectually, and inspired me to learn about the Classics and regret not studying them in college. I don't read many books that challenge me, and I think my tastes are pretty sophisticated but most of the literary books that are on the shelves seem to be spare and stylish these days. This was a book I could sink my teeth into, and a world I could lose myself in. Also, I went to a college extremely similar to the one in the book and I was impressed by how well she evoked the feelings of isolation and craziness that a few months of snow and ice can bring about. And the people were pretty dead on as far as I was concerned -- shallow preppies and their pushy parents, kids just trying to be a part of a group, and the rare few charismatic personas floating around campus.