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The Blurb: ‘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. ‘

“Does such a thing as ‘the fatal flaw,’ that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature? I used to think it didn’t. Now I think it does. And I think that mine is this: a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.”

Donna Tartt, The Secret History

Word of warning this book is not for you if you need to a. Relate to the characters and b. If you don’t like arsehole main characters. Despite all that I do have a fondness for most of the characters.

We find out in the prologue that Richard and four members of the group murder one of their fellow students to who they are close too which creates tension while reading the book as you know where its inevitable conclusion lies. The story is told in two parts, the first describes the events leading up to the death and, the second describes the aftermath. This creates a slow build towards the murder and then picks up pace once the deed has been committed.

Donna Tartt’s ability to write characters who are deeply unlikeable in a way that makes you care and sympathise with them is a true talent. I don’t think I have ever read a book that has stuck with mean even after three or four reads before and, I don’t think I will again. There is just something so hypnotic about The Secret History that draws you in and won’t let go.

I think the reason why The Secret History has been a favourite for many since its release is due to its ability to connect to our human insecurities when talking about friendships. Richard has a yearning to be accepted into a group of peers that he admires and, once he is in with the group, he is willing to sacrifice everything to stay there. It also touches on what it feels like to lose a great friendship and how loneliness and disconnect can have you longing for the most toxic people. 

The book plays out like a Greek tragedy with the groups horrifying crime and their downward spiral in the aftermath which, forever changes them. This is not the story for the faint of heart with mentions of murder, incest, substance abuse and lots of twenty years olds angst.