The Secret History by Donna Tartt – Review

Published: September 16, 1992

Publisher: Vintage

Series: N/A

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 578 (Kindle)

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last—inexorably—into evil.

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I admit, I totally hyped up The Secret History to myself because it seems to be universally loved. The writing style may be atmospheric, but in reality it’s just a tale of unhinged rich kids committing crimes and indulging in their vices to excess. There’s also the token poor scholarship kid who just really wants to fit in with this strange little cult.

The Secret History follows Richard Papen, a normal guy from a boring California town who escapes his mundane suburban life to a small liberal arts college in Vermont. Veering in a sharp left from his failed attempt as a pre-med major, Richard wedges himself into the exclusive, invite-only circle of a professor named Julian who teaches classics. This practically cult-like group consists of Henry, Edmund (Bunny), Francis, and the twins, Charles and Camilla. Richard, in an attempt to make his life sound grand, completely makes up a new backstory (parents in the film industry, prep school, etc) and though Bunny questions him relentlessly, he just keeps on lying. Quite a talent really. The first 20% or so of the book is purely an introduction to Richard and how he settles into this new life at Hampden College and ingratiates himself with this exclusive group. I’ll be honest, it was less than impressive.

Things got much more interesting from about the 25 – 50% section of the story. You see, Henry, Francis and the twins decided to have a Bacchanalia in the woods outside Francis’s aunt’s home and they awoke to find themselves miles from home, naked in the woods, with a dead man at their feet. And of course, Bunny found out. You see, Bunny is the most unlikable, racist, homophobic, misogynistic character I have ever come across (slight exaggeration) and he also can’t keep his mouth shut to save his life. Literally. Bunny has become a threat to the safety of the group and so they plan to kill him because paying for his every whim and fancy wasn’t enough and the four couldn’t make their escape to South America. Richard is pulled in and becomes somewhat of a lookout and informant on Bunny’s movements and even though he wasn’t involved in the first crime, he gets dragged into the second.

Once Bunny is killed, the last half of the book turns into a guilt-ridden bender with an extra heaping of drama. It gets positively ridiculous and it becomes clear that not one of these characters, Richard included, are actually good. This might be set at a picturesque college and the characters might be studying Greek, Latin, and other obscure related subjects but truthfully, it’s about a bunch of ridiculous wealthy kids who get away with murder until their own guilt-riddled consciences break them down. I will say, the finale was not what I expected and I was really pleased with the epilogue. I like seeing characters years down the road, especially because it gives more of a sense of finality to things. Overall, this was entertaining but it took me a long time to get truly invested and, as I said, the characters weren’t all that likable which made it more difficult to enjoy.