A review of 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt

'The Secret History' is the debut novel of American writer Donna Tartt. Set in the lofty echelons of academia, the book explores the strange and strained relationship of a group of students bound together by secrets, murder and blackmail. First published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1992, it became an international best seller and has been translated into 24 languages. The article gives a detailed review of the book.

About the book

Set in the cloistered world of an elite New England college, 'The Secret History' chronicles the lives of six claustrophobically close friends. It is narrated by one of the eccentric group - Richard Papen, the less privileged outsider, who reflects on explosive events some years after they occurred. Playing out like a Greek tragedy from students' Classic Studies, the novel explores the devastating impact of death, deceit and decadence.

Review

An impacting debut
Donna Tartt has created a mesmerising novel with her debut book. It is not surprising to learn that it was widely acclaimed by critics on its release. She has achieved what many authors only dream about – a literary murder mystery with popular appeal. Her elegant writing style creates an almost gothic world of horror inhabited by an unconventional cast of characters. Opening chapter
The opening chapter starts with the catalyst for the dissolution of friendships and emotional meltdowns. This is an effective technique and in no way diminishes the sense of suspense and mystery as the story unfolds. Characters
Tartt has been criticised by some for creating cardboard characters but nothing could be further from the truth. They are well-crafted, intriguing and mysterious. You might not like all of them but you want to know what happens to them. The friends, Charles, Camilla, Francis, Henry, Bunny and Richard believe that their youth, intelligence and privilege will allow them to do anything. However, it is this belief that actually limits their potential, preventing them from achieving their youthful promise. Ending words
It is a believable story of what happens when boundaries are pushed too far. It is an epic tale of more than 600 pages but it is hard to put down, and when you finish reading, you’ll wish for another 600 pages. An amazing debut from Donna Tartt, 'The Secret History' should be on everybody’s must read list.