ariel *ੈ✩‧₊˚’s Reviews > The Secret History > Status Update

“it made me feel better in some obscure way: imaging myself a hero, rushing fearlessly for the gun, instead of merely loitering in the bullet’s path like the bystander which i so essentially am.”

“there is nothing wrong with the love of Beauty. but Beauty—unless she is wed to something more meaningful—is always superficial. it is not that your julian chooses solely to concentrate on certain, exalted things; it is that he chooses to ignore others equally as important.”

“one time uncle bunny called me a bastard.”ASJGUGHGAJS LMAOOO

you know what, i wonder Donna Tartt kinda missed writing Bunny lol. you can tell she had a bit of fun painting the characters in the Corcoran family. and poor Henry, too - it’s probably worse to be stuck in a house with them than it was with just Bunny in Rome lol

*spoilers (i guess?)* but i really wish that Tartt you know...went there. like i kind of wish that Richard and Francis WERE a thing bc it seems v odd to put it in there otherwise? i’m guessing that the intention was to reflect the homoeroticism that was so prevalent in greek life, and we know they had sex w each other during the Bacchanal... not saying it was underdeveloped, just wish it was more present

and here it is. funnily enough, this really does read like two books, and i think most people think of the first half when they think of the secret history. my favorite is the first half too, but i really enjoyed the dread i felt reading the second half. i don’t have as many memories of reading these parts, so i’m excited to see it all unfold

i think so many people talk about how unlikable and bougie these characters are, but the second time around, i really really appreciate them. surprisingly enough, i really like henry and can see why he appeals to richard. yes, this cast of characters are rich and flagrant and blindingly privileged, but they’re also so INTERESTING and so complex.

something that i realized after reading it the first time, and that i’m being reminded of now, is that i really feel for richard - beyond the relatability Tartt intended - because his college career and rash, poorly planned decisions remind me so much of myself. sure this book is intelligent and ppl who are familiar with greek/roman may get more out of this, but this book is also for ppl like me, average and poor

the weather reminded me of this book so i started reading just a page or two and now i can’t stop. this reread is unplanned but VERY necessary and i’m loving every second of it