REVIEW: The Secret History by Donna Tartt

 

This book was a re-read for me - I read it years ago and thought it was worth a re-read. I love reading books about schools in the fall. This book was, in part, inspired by Greek mythology, the Greek language, and New England colleges - it takes place in Vermont. And it's no secret - right in the prologue we know that the narrator (Richard) and his classmates have committed a murder and the novel traces both the lead up to the murder, as well as what happens afterwards. 

Richard has fled an unfulfilling existence in California and enrolls in Hampden College in Vermont, where he starts taking classes with an elusive professor and his equally elusive small (like a group of 5) group of students. Richard always never quite become an insider in the group, in spite of the steps that he takes to help the group. In part, it is because of his background - which is not affluent when compared to the group that he has gained entry to.  Bunny, the victim of the homicide, not only shows apathy in needling Richard but also shows an astounding deafness to the seriousness of subjects to the other members of the group, which causes strain and ultimately his death. 

I loved the plot - it is almost Greek Tragedy-esque - and the location.  A New England campus in late winter/spring and summer is beautiful and melancholy. But what also drew me in was how Tartt seemed to expose things like loneliness, depression and isolation as well as mental health struggles and alcoholism in an environment where one is supposedly surrounded by like minded people and friends. The pacing of the novel was really good too and even at 500+ pages, it went quickly. 

So good and worth the read or re-read.