However, this soon changes, and the novel becomes difficult to put down. In the first hundred pages the characters don’t necessarily stand out from each other. The other characters are not developed as intricately, for example, for the influence Julian holds, he isn’t as notably present. A degree in Ancient Greek is not necessary to understand the novel. Through Richard, a less enigmatic character, the plot simply flows. Despite their higher social status and exceptional intelligence, the students appear quite normal, but Richard soon learns that is not the case at all, and the secrets quickly spill out over the pages.Īlthough Tartt’s ideas and motifs are highly complex, the reader is not left behind. In his first few weeks in Vermont, Richard quickly becomes involved in a small, elite group of students studying ancient Greek under the influence of a professor, Julian Morrow. The novel follows the first-person narrative of Richard Papen who is reflecting on his 19-year-old self’s first year at Hampden College. It is thematically heavy, filled with corruption, intelligence, envy, social class and murder. The Secret History is not for the faint hearted.

It’s fair to say I was entirely encapsulated by The Secret History, it’s haunting, horrifying and slightly addictive.

I went into the novel optimistic but doubting it would meet the standard of The Goldfinch. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is one of my favourite novels, so when I was recommended The Secret History, I couldn’t wait to start it.

The secret history donna tartt review