Book Review: The Secret History by Donna Tartt

My somewhat hesitant thoughts on The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Let me know in the comments if you loved/hated/felt things about this book!!

[paperstainedink]

Loved this book. Still haunts me. Brilliant, beautiful, chilling novel. 

[HollyDunnDesign]

I LOVE Donna Tart with all of my being. I haven't been so enthralled and obsessed with a book since the final Harry Potter. I can't quite pinpoint what it is that I love about her writing, but she's one of the few writers who force me to read every single word and savour it because it's such beautiful prose. Eleanor Catton is another of these authors.
Great review Katie :)

[robcourt]

I love this book! I enjoyed the fact that none of the characters are likeable. I have a copy of The Goldfinch, but have yet to read it.

[scsreads]

I agree that the book instantly piqued my interest. This was my first Donna Tartt book and I've been a fan ever since. I also think that her writing is beautiful. Normally, I'm not sure I would like this book, but her writing totally captivates me. I'm glad that you read it and I'm looking forward to hearing how it compares to The Goldfinch for you.

[wordsjourney]

I totally loved this book! I love the culture (I studied Greek and Latin in high school) but the thing I love the most about this book is that it doesn't feel better than you, or at least I didn't feel inappropriate while reading it. It's a really good book about how evil can be fascinating. I talked a little bit about it in my last video. It became one of my favorites!

[Bookmarks]

This book intrigues me, but at the same time scares me because it's so popular and well-liked. I'm scared it will disappoint me. Your review is really great and I didn't feel like you spoiled me. Instead you gave relevant and practical information :D

[KathleenAnnBooks]

You and Steven from SteveReadsBooks have recommended this one so I am sold. I must read this one.

[bookishsabrina]

I just finished this and wanted to revisit your review now that I had more context. I really want to do a review myself, but it is so hard to talk about this book in generalities because so much of what I loved happened in the latter half, and is nearly impossible to talk about without giving something away.
Warning for potential spoilers below, in case anyone wants to avoid them:
 Particularly how Bunny's murder initially drew everyone together, that there was this deed that they had all been involved in but could never tell, and how it connected them in a new way. Yet this is slowly pulled apart by their own feelings of guilt and grief, and ultimately ends up being the thing that pushes them away from each other rather permanently. I find myself to be so awestruck by the messages that this book contains about naivete and friendship and the impact of nostalgia's corruption of memory, and even more so by how subtle Tartt is in the execution of these themes. I don't think it was a perfect book, but I'm pretty blown away by it at the moment, and have no idea how to put these thoughts into a video.

[exlibris-fromthebooks]

I love the secret history.. and I agree with your assessment of it. It's not an easy book to love but it sucks you in anyways. 

[Literatiloves]

Great review! I'm currently reading this and I'm really enjoying it so far!

[CarolynsReadingRamblings]

i had to put this book down after 150 pages :( I know that many people find it refreshing that nobody was likeable which i can understand but to me it wasn't even that they were unlikeable it was that i felt no connection with any of the characters whether it was good or bad, i just didn't feel anything when i read it :( It made me feel weird because most people who i know who read it, loved it and i always feel like i've missed something when so many people like a book that i don't :(

[angaloo]

This actually sounds like a book I would be interested in reading.  Great review. 

[anafichesdelectures]

I really like "The Goldfinch". It's one of the best novel I've read this year. The audio narration was excellent if you are interested on audio book. However, I 've been hesitant to read "The Secret History". You've convinced me though to give it a try. For some reason, your review reminded me of Tana French style on complex characters.

[noodlebamboo]

This was a helpful review! Now I definitely have more of an idea what I'd be getting into with this book, and I want to give it a try :) as soon as you said "character study" I was like right, sign me up!

[KourttneyL]

It’s taking me 2 weeks to read this because of the small font! I’m a fast reader so this book is really slowing me down 😂

[betterdaysareatoenailaway]

Fav book ever. Best debut novel ever. Good review.

[xenopoly]

Weird, I feel like I’m the only person on Earth who thought this book fell flat. Sorry this is my first comment on your channel, which I do think is good incidentally.