Are there books that remind you of TSH or TLF?

[Nick]

Steve wrote: "Looks like Pessl has two novels out and her debut was entitled Special Topics in Calamity Physics. It appears to have received a lot of acclaim. Never heard of her before, thanks for the suggestion..."

I've got Special Topics, got it in a charity shop as I just liked the look of it. I'll read it soon. (I'm a third of the way into Olvia Manning's massive Balkan Trilogy at the moment... so that will take a while.)

[Frances]

I've got City on Fire and Night Film ready to go on my Kindle for an upcoming trip. Fantastic. It's awesome to get reading recommendations from such a discerning group.

I had considered looking at The Secret History for my literary criticism assignment at university (I'm doing a Masters in Creative Writing) and it led me down the path of exploring Bildungsroman as a genre. I expect that it's partly the Bildungsroman as a powerful narrative engine that keeps us so keen right to the very end of this book. As it happens, I began to wonder how the female Bildungsroman might differ from that of the male version. I came across a quote from Patricia Highsmith where she said that she preferred to utilise male characters as they get to 'do more', they travel more, end up in more dangerous situations etc. It seems to me that Tartt prefers a male protagonist too in that they seem to allow her more dynamism, movement, danger. In a somewhat reactionary move, I'm purposely writing my own material with female protagonists involved in high intensity narratives!

[Kathleen]

I'm just about through another reasonably good read that made me think of, and long for, Donna Tartt's writing, and TSH, specifically. Check out "Wylding Hall" by Elizabeth Hand.

[Nick]

Hi Frances. You wrote: "It seems to me that Tartt prefers a male protagonist too..." What about Harriet in The Little Friend? I think most of the male characters in TLF are by-passed (in terms of action) by Harriet. I'm not very bothered which gender the protagonist is, as long as it's a good story.

I'm a big fan of Patricia Highsmith, though, as you note, her female characters are nearly always backgrounded. I like most of the Ripley novels, but get a bit irritated at Tom's somewhat fluffy French wife. I think what she said was truer of women at the time, in terms of their 'doing less'.

How is your writing going - have you had any of it published, yet? I'd be interested to see what any writer influenced by Donna Tartt might come up with. The novel I'm trying to sell at the moment has a strong female lead - the first (and only) one I had published was focused on two male characters, though one of the characters most import to the story was a woman (based on my aunt).

And what's your opinion of Night Film? I've got it on both Kindle and in book form - I read some of the reviews on the Kindle edition, foolishly, after I'd bought it, and they said the Kindle display doesn't do the many non-textual features much good. (They look OK on the iPad version, I must say.) I'll start it soon.

[Nick]

Kathleen wrote: "I'm just about through another reasonably good read that made me think of, and long for, Donna Tartt's writing, and TSH, specifically. Check out "Wylding Hall" by Elizabeth Hand."

Thanks, Kathleen. I'll have a look at that. I know what you mean about books making you long for DT's writing. I've just been reading one - M L Rio's If We Were Villains - and, though I like it, there are parts of it I wish were closer to parts of TSH. (A bit silly, I know; it's a book in itself, with its own dynamic.)

[Nick]

Nick wrote: "Steve wrote: "Looks like Pessl has two novels out and her debut was entitled Special Topics in Calamity Physics. It appears to have received a lot of acclaim. Never heard of her before, thanks for ..."

I read Special Topics in Calamity Physics, and enjoyed it, though at times I couldn't make out why. It's big, and somewhat flawed in parts - overwritten, too many examples to show what was meant, etc - but I went along with the flow of it. I think TSH suffers from that, very occasionally, but it's such a good story I forgave it.

The central characters of Special Topics are centred in a high school, rather than a university, and all are troubled, damaged, somewhat, which is part of what prompts the action. The backstory is (just about) believable. It's PROBABLY a bit Marmite, though: you'll either love it or hate it.

[Nick]

Sorry, Bill, but I deleted your comment on Special Topics as it contained a massive spoiler. People may still want to read the book, despite what any of us thinks of it. I'm mainly in agreement with you about it, though.

[Bill]

Oh sorry. Didn’t think it’s a spoiler; it’s totally obvious. But whatever.

[Kathleen]

Thanks, Nick....I briefly looked at the reviews for If We Were Villians on Amazon, and it looks really interesting....lots of positive buzz. It will be near the top of my TBR list for sure! Thanks for the recommendation! Gosh, I hope Donna doesn't make us wait another 10 years.....sigh.....

[Bill]

If it’s appropriate to mention my own book on this thread, readers might find my new book The Chaplain of Blackburne House has some features in common with The Secret History - including what I hope is a believable picture of a Latin teacher. It is set at a prep school rather than a college, but Classics plays a major role.

[Nick]

Thanks, Bill. I'm not sure if it is appropriate, really.

But, as you're here, tell us a bit about your book. Did you write it with the intention of being 'Tarttian', or did you just see parallels later? Is it published by a publisher or self-published? Were you that Latin teacher? ;)

I assume it's on Amazon somewhere, and will certainly have a look at the sample read, when I get time.

[Bill]

It’s a mystery thriller school story. The main character is Jennifer McCreavy, a 28 year old Latin teacher and Episcopal priest and field hockey assistant coach. You can find it on Amazon and for 99 cents (the best buck you could spend, I promise) find out more.