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The Secret History

Donna Tartt

Start date: May 17, 2021

Finish date: May 17, 2021

Discussion: Monthly Group Book Discussions

Why we're reading this: Contemporary Adult Fiction or Contemporary Young Adult Fiction group book discussion for May 2021
(winner …more
[close] Contemporary Adult Fiction or Contemporary Young Adult Fiction group book discussion for May 2021
(winner is a tie between The Secret History and The Fault in Our Stars)

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What Members Thought

Jan 21, 2021 Emilija rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Znate ono kad vam svidi pričaju da je nešto dobro i vi im ne verujete, pa onda odlučite da sami to probate i shvatite da je još bolje nego što drugi kažu? To je za mene ova knjiga.

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 19, 2021 Yuno rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook-to-be-listened, favs-of-all-time, booktube-recommendation, 2021-faves

I finished this book yesterday, but I don't think I can ever stop thinking about it.
AND THEN, it occurred to me that What if Richard has been lying all this time? Sure, we got his perspective, but what if he decided to twist the story and told us his version of this turn of events? Why do I feel like Richard might have tried to justify himself and his friends by making Bunny more despicable than he really was? I do feel like my judgement of certain situations were clouded by Richard's perspecti I finished this book yesterday, but I don't think I can ever stop thinking about it.
AND THEN, it occurred to me that What if Richard has been lying all this time? Sure, we got his perspective, but what if he decided to twist the story and told us his version of this turn of events? Why do I feel like Richard might have tried to justify himself and his friends by making Bunny more despicable than he really was? I do feel like my judgement of certain situations were clouded by Richard's perspective. You know, I hated Bunny at the beginning (yes, I hate people like that in general), but at the end, I couldn't help but feel like Bunny didn't deserve to be killed by his friends. I feel so bad for him, and I feel so horrible at myself for thinking he kind of deserved it at the beginning. Poor me. I think Richard mentioned somewhere that he tried to romanticize Julian (their teacher) in his narration. We always see Julian as this wise, considerate and sensible man and he's like a father figure to them, but in the end, Richard said that Julian was just a coward as he didn't even care for Bunny. In a way, I feel like Richard exaggerated Bunny's action, and made it seem like he deserved it, you know? I don't hate them tho. This is just a shower thought. I feel like I am heavily influenced by Richard's perspective because he liked his group of friends. Naturally, I do too. I like them so much that it blinded me from seeing their evil plotting from the first time. AND I THINK DONNA TARTT DID THIS ON PURPOSE. It is so easy to be biased, you know? ferjiwhrgw

I'm sorry, I've just been thinking, a lot. This is truly unlike anything I've ever read. I just feel hollow and empty like I've been sucked into a void. Somehow, this book was so enchanting, in a way that I get sucked into this story and imagine myself a part of their elite group? Well, well, one may have guessed I am articulate enough, but I guess I wasn't. This book rendered me speechless. I'm still shocked, I still think about them, and I still have no idea what to talk about. Even though these characters are so cruel, evil, heartless and so full of themselves, and they are just so otherworldly, I can't help but feel a pang of sympathy and remorse for them.

The writing style is so elegant and poetic, yet also so readable. I don't think I've read anything like this. The premise of this book is ahead of its time; I freaking love this type of story. This book really explores some deep dark shit that I feel disturbed at times. The atmosphere and the vibe are chef's kiss. I love the discussion we have here. I love seeing the characters slowly changing. I love seeing the aftermath of a murder, and I can't help but feel depressed. I feel like these characters have been with me for such a long time, and Idk what to do now. I am depressed. I am angry. I am shocked. I am sad. AND I am confused. This is such a mind-blowing story. I feel all sorts of emotions idk what to do please send help rgjiegheisgeisrg

Also, the way in which this book is able to make me laugh out loud during various serious scenes... idk does that make me a psychopath? ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 10, 2021 eda rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2023-highlights

Tartt’s prose is beautiful and captivating to read. It feels like art. 4.5 stars

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Jun 20, 2023 abby rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I am so sad that I will never be able to experience this book for the first time again. Holy shit, this was awesome. It was a little slow at first, so I had my doubts, but by the time I was halfway through, I knew The Secret History would be one of my new favorite books. I wanted to reread it before I had even finished. Multiple times I was gasping, jaw-dropped, on the edge of my seat.

The atmosphere Tartt creates is truly enthralling. I felt as if I was in Vermont at a tiny liberal arts college ...more

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Feb 13, 2023 Hannah Garcia Sadler rated it really liked it

I loved the approach to the plot in this book. The beginning of the novel gives away what will happen; yet, we know none of the characters, immediately pulling the reader in. Tart’s ability to timely and methodically release enough details to the reader is *chef’s kiss* 💋

The characters themselves are complex and unlikeable. I wanted to bully them for their haughty ways and superiority. Even Richard calls it out near the end of the book confirming for me how intentional their unlikeabilty was on ...more

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Apr 04, 2023 Yara rated it liked it

I finished this book with a huge headache, mostly because I started it so slow then flew through it unexpectedly because I could not put the book down.
Now, I don’t even know where to start. Richard is narrating the “secret history” and, of course he’s an unreliable narrator which I did not realize until I finished the book. Throughout this entire experience I put my full trust in Richard, despite his awful characteristics leaking through more than once. Isn’t it funny? It’s the same thing he did ...more

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