Ken’s review of The Secret History > Likes and Comments
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OMG that sounds grim. Thanks for the heads up; I’m removing it from my TBR list.
Ken, you did not enjoy reading this book, but I enjoyed reading your review. Yes, you deserve a reward for finishing. On to a better book.
Entertaining review and perfect, well-deserved reward for finishing the novel. I remember liking the first hundred pages. No other book I have read so far came as close in resembling a sinking and collapsing soufflé.
Thanks Yvonne, Laysee, and Ilse. I've read some sterling reviews of this book, so perhaps I'm odd man out. Still, I like the metaphor of a "sinking and collapsing soufflé." Poof. Like the hours I gave to reading it.
Ken, I haven't read this one so I can only say thank you for giving me more incentive to put off reading this. I read her The Goldfinch, years ago, and have been reluctant to read anything else by her since then. Parts were wonderful, and other parts felt like torture to me, but the ending saved it a bit for me. One of the debut novels that I read this year The Orchard by David Hopen was compared to this one, but I loved it. I'm content with leaving it at that!
Cheri wrote: "Ken, I haven't read this one so I can only say thank you for giving me more incentive to put off reading this. I read her The Goldfinch, years ago, and have been reluctant to read anything else by ..."
I've heard some people rave about The Goldfinch but it's way (way) down on my reading radar. Near the Titanic, in fact.
"The gabbiest book I've read in years" is a statement that so adroitly describes this book; I bow my head in agreement, whilst chuckling;)
Boadicea wrote: ""The gabbiest book I've read in years" is a statement that so adroitly describes this book; I bow my head in agreement, whilst chuckling;)"
Reading contemporary novels, I see more and more that readers like chat. Lots of it. And lists. And coincidence, even. I'm all for characterization, too, but talk isn't the only way, of course.
I think Tartt is for young people. I read this in early 20s, thought it atmospheric and provocative. Recently my daughter--in her 20s--gushed over Goldfinch. I read it and it was wordy and pointless. Tartt is a YA novelist, mayhaps.
Dan wrote: "I think Tartt is for young people. I read this in early 20s, thought it atmospheric and provocative. Recently my daughter--in her 20s--gushed over Goldfinch. I read it and it was wordy and pointles..."
Could be, Dan. I've run into the same thing taking on books my daughter gushed over. Maybe, with age, one loses one's patience with an overabundance of words and talking and self-importance as seen in these characters?
Or maybe I'm turning into a curmudgeon.
Dan wrote: "Age, curmudgeon: What's the difference?"
Ha-ha. OK, then. Let's lighten the blow: a kind curmudgeon.
I haven't read the book so I can't say whether or not I agree with your assessment. It doesn't sound like anything I would want to read. Thanks for the review. I will skip reading this one.
Cindy wrote: "I haven't read the book so I can't say whether or not I agree with your assessment. It doesn't sound like anything I would want to read. Thanks for the review. I will skip reading this one."
It's kind of a relief, isn't it. A book you think you should read, then decide you don't have to?
Yes, it's called an "honest" revered reviewer who brings their intellectual heft as well as their background of literary experience. Ken, you've been elevated to that level in my "red book". Thanks very much for your exertions as they do guide my reading efforts:-)
"Overwriting" - yes and yes! I couldn't find a word for it, but this definitely describes my biggest issue with the book.
Wow. I'm so glad I abandoned this one! But I love your review. Edward Scissorhands--I'm going to adopt him and have him sit next to my muse to keep me in line.
Boadicea wrote: "Yes, it's called an "honest" revered reviewer who brings their intellectual heft as well as their background of literary experience. Ken, you've been elevated to that level in my "red book". Thanks..."
Thanks, Boadicea, and apologies for not seeing this back in June of '22.
Clumsy With Words wrote: ""Overwriting" - yes and yes! I couldn't find a word for it, but this definitely describes my biggest issue with the book."
Thanks for your kind words, CWW!
Kathleen wrote: "Wow. I'm so glad I abandoned this one! But I love your review. Edward Scissorhands--I'm going to adopt him and have him sit next to my muse to keep me in line."
As writers, we all could use some topiary work at times. ;-)
BJ wrote: "Love your review and agree "
Thanks, and always great to find like minds!
hope you like the next one better. There are lots more
"But, hey. I finished. Meaning I get an award of sorts. It's called the "permission to read another book" award."
I like that, Ken. Perhaps that's the attitude to have, after you've slogged through a book that you disliked.
Paul wrote: ""But, hey. I finished. Meaning I get an award of sorts. It's called the "permission to read another book" award."
I like that, Ken. Perhaps that's the attitude to have, after you've slogged throug..."
It has to be, or else existentialism is right. Or something like that.
What a riot of a review, Ken! Loved the "Nick cared away" reference :). Thank you for this entertaining alert.
Vishakha wrote: "What a riot of a review, Ken! Loved the "Nick cared away" reference :). Thank you for this entertaining alert."
When you hit an exasperating book, you have to find light moments somewhere.
I read this title and felt a similar ennui and exasperation. If ‘A Separate Peace’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ were of one mind, I suppose this novel is the brain child (to phrase it indelicately). I enjoyed ‘The Goldfinch’ and wished I had chosen the other title set in Mississippi.
Nick Cares Away. And, too, The Talentless Mr. Ripley.
Koeeoaddi wrote: "*high five"
I just heard the sound of palm slaps.
Holly wrote: "I read this title and felt a similar ennui and exasperation. If ‘A Separate Peace’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ were of one mind, I suppose this novel is the brain child (to phrase it indelicately). I e..."
Ah, we're building a list now! I could go on. Historically I have suffered with Faulkner and Henry as in James. God deliver me.
Ken wrote: "Holly wrote: "I read this title and felt a similar ennui and exasperation. If ‘A Separate Peace’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ were of one mind, I suppose this novel is the brain child (to phrase it inde..."
I do not enjoy Henry James. I believe he wrote the ghost story which informed a movie with Nicole Kidman. The Others. Terrifying movie. However, did he not also write 'The Gift of the Magi'.
Wait, that was O. Henry. The Turn of the Screw versus The Taming of the Shrew....?
I did not finish 'The Sound and The Fury'. Hecate. MacBeth. A Rose for Emily is mouldering. Or wildering. Annie Dillard is wilding. Wildlings are hollering. There is someone yonder lurking in the holler. Who treads in distant...yon vale? in the hollow? The Sleepy One with the crane. It could not be yet perchance it is you, Dionysus? Dionisios?
What a treat to read this review Ken. I was tempted to read it because of the theme of Classics students as I once was one but after your words, no thanks. Gabby is not for me…cheers!
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Yvonne
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Oct 05, 2020 11:47PM
OMG that sounds grim. Thanks for the heads up; I’m removing it from my TBR list.
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Ken, you did not enjoy reading this book, but I enjoyed reading your review. Yes, you deserve a reward for finishing. On to a better book.
Entertaining review and perfect, well-deserved reward for finishing the novel. I remember liking the first hundred pages. No other book I have read so far came as close in resembling a sinking and collapsing soufflé.
Thanks Yvonne, Laysee, and Ilse. I've read some sterling reviews of this book, so perhaps I'm odd man out. Still, I like the metaphor of a "sinking and collapsing soufflé." Poof. Like the hours I gave to reading it.
Ken, I haven't read this one so I can only say thank you for giving me more incentive to put off reading this. I read her The Goldfinch, years ago, and have been reluctant to read anything else by her since then. Parts were wonderful, and other parts felt like torture to me, but the ending saved it a bit for me. One of the debut novels that I read this year The Orchard by David Hopen was compared to this one, but I loved it. I'm content with leaving it at that!
Cheri wrote: "Ken, I haven't read this one so I can only say thank you for giving me more incentive to put off reading this. I read her The Goldfinch, years ago, and have been reluctant to read anything else by ..."I've heard some people rave about The Goldfinch but it's way (way) down on my reading radar. Near the Titanic, in fact.
"The gabbiest book I've read in years" is a statement that so adroitly describes this book; I bow my head in agreement, whilst chuckling;)
Boadicea wrote: ""The gabbiest book I've read in years" is a statement that so adroitly describes this book; I bow my head in agreement, whilst chuckling;)"Reading contemporary novels, I see more and more that readers like chat. Lots of it. And lists. And coincidence, even. I'm all for characterization, too, but talk isn't the only way, of course.
I think Tartt is for young people. I read this in early 20s, thought it atmospheric and provocative. Recently my daughter--in her 20s--gushed over Goldfinch. I read it and it was wordy and pointless. Tartt is a YA novelist, mayhaps.
Dan wrote: "I think Tartt is for young people. I read this in early 20s, thought it atmospheric and provocative. Recently my daughter--in her 20s--gushed over Goldfinch. I read it and it was wordy and pointles..."Could be, Dan. I've run into the same thing taking on books my daughter gushed over. Maybe, with age, one loses one's patience with an overabundance of words and talking and self-importance as seen in these characters?
Or maybe I'm turning into a curmudgeon.
Dan wrote: "Age, curmudgeon: What's the difference?"Ha-ha. OK, then. Let's lighten the blow: a kind curmudgeon.
I haven't read the book so I can't say whether or not I agree with your assessment. It doesn't sound like anything I would want to read. Thanks for the review. I will skip reading this one.
Cindy wrote: "I haven't read the book so I can't say whether or not I agree with your assessment. It doesn't sound like anything I would want to read. Thanks for the review. I will skip reading this one."It's kind of a relief, isn't it. A book you think you should read, then decide you don't have to?
Yes, it's called an "honest" revered reviewer who brings their intellectual heft as well as their background of literary experience. Ken, you've been elevated to that level in my "red book". Thanks very much for your exertions as they do guide my reading efforts:-)
"Overwriting" - yes and yes! I couldn't find a word for it, but this definitely describes my biggest issue with the book.
Wow. I'm so glad I abandoned this one! But I love your review. Edward Scissorhands--I'm going to adopt him and have him sit next to my muse to keep me in line.
Boadicea wrote: "Yes, it's called an "honest" revered reviewer who brings their intellectual heft as well as their background of literary experience. Ken, you've been elevated to that level in my "red book". Thanks..."Thanks, Boadicea, and apologies for not seeing this back in June of '22.
Clumsy With Words wrote: ""Overwriting" - yes and yes! I couldn't find a word for it, but this definitely describes my biggest issue with the book."Thanks for your kind words, CWW!
Kathleen wrote: "Wow. I'm so glad I abandoned this one! But I love your review. Edward Scissorhands--I'm going to adopt him and have him sit next to my muse to keep me in line."As writers, we all could use some topiary work at times. ;-)
BJ wrote: "Love your review and agree "Thanks, and always great to find like minds!
hope you like the next one better. There are lots more
"But, hey. I finished. Meaning I get an award of sorts. It's called the "permission to read another book" award."I like that, Ken. Perhaps that's the attitude to have, after you've slogged through a book that you disliked.
Paul wrote: ""But, hey. I finished. Meaning I get an award of sorts. It's called the "permission to read another book" award."I like that, Ken. Perhaps that's the attitude to have, after you've slogged throug..."
It has to be, or else existentialism is right. Or something like that.
What a riot of a review, Ken! Loved the "Nick cared away" reference :). Thank you for this entertaining alert.
Vishakha wrote: "What a riot of a review, Ken! Loved the "Nick cared away" reference :). Thank you for this entertaining alert."When you hit an exasperating book, you have to find light moments somewhere.
I read this title and felt a similar ennui and exasperation. If ‘A Separate Peace’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ were of one mind, I suppose this novel is the brain child (to phrase it indelicately). I enjoyed ‘The Goldfinch’ and wished I had chosen the other title set in Mississippi. Nick Cares Away. And, too, The Talentless Mr. Ripley.
Koeeoaddi wrote: "*high five"I just heard the sound of palm slaps.
Holly wrote: "I read this title and felt a similar ennui and exasperation. If ‘A Separate Peace’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ were of one mind, I suppose this novel is the brain child (to phrase it indelicately). I e..."Ah, we're building a list now! I could go on. Historically I have suffered with Faulkner and Henry as in James. God deliver me.
Ken wrote: "Holly wrote: "I read this title and felt a similar ennui and exasperation. If ‘A Separate Peace’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’ were of one mind, I suppose this novel is the brain child (to phrase it inde..."I do not enjoy Henry James. I believe he wrote the ghost story which informed a movie with Nicole Kidman. The Others. Terrifying movie. However, did he not also write 'The Gift of the Magi'.
Wait, that was O. Henry. The Turn of the Screw versus The Taming of the Shrew....?
I did not finish 'The Sound and The Fury'. Hecate. MacBeth. A Rose for Emily is mouldering. Or wildering. Annie Dillard is wilding. Wildlings are hollering. There is someone yonder lurking in the holler. Who treads in distant...yon vale? in the hollow? The Sleepy One with the crane. It could not be yet perchance it is you, Dionysus? Dionisios?
What a treat to read this review Ken. I was tempted to read it because of the theme of Classics students as I once was one but after your words, no thanks. Gabby is not for me…cheers!
