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The Secret History, Donna Tartt... I thought it was about time travel

60 replies

HarperFrannie · 29/01/2018 14:19

Blush I suspect it's not though...

Richard has just joined Julian's classes and they're having terribly clever discussions about Greeks and Romans, but no time travel has occurred - I thought he'd join this secretive group only to discover they go time travelling. It's starting to dawn on me that this book isn't going to involve any time travel is it?

What an idiot. I think I've got confused with the Jodi Taylor books Grin

Anyway, I hate it so far, but everyone raves about it. Stick it out?

OP posts:
LockedOutOfMN · 29/01/2018 21:53

I absolutely love "The Secret History".

BossWitch · 29/01/2018 21:51

Loved it when I read it but I think if you're expecting time travel you may be both saddened and disappointed!

SatsukiKusakabe · 29/01/2018 21:49

Ha - I would stick with it because it does get going a bit more, but just not back in time. I didn’t love it, but it was a good read.

[grin]@bibliomania - that is so funny.

bibliomania · 29/01/2018 15:16

No time travel involved!

When I was about 10, I used to see Watership Down on my parents' bookshelf and think it was about a sinking submarine. The rabbits were a bit of a surprise.

HarperFrannie · 29/01/2018 14:26

It's because of this description I think:

"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."

And I thought, 'ooo time travel!'

OP posts:
HarperFrannie · 29/01/2018 14:24

Maybe "hate" is a bit strong. I keep finding myself getting distracted when I'm trying to read it - it's not a book that's gripped me yet. (Possibly because I've been waiting for the non-existent time travel to take place. )

OP posts:
pallisers · 29/01/2018 14:22

I'm sorry but that is terribly funny.

We recently toured the real college on which the college in the book is based (Bennington) and it is every bit as precious and self-conscious as depicted.

ReelingLush18 · 29/01/2018 14:22

Not giving you any spoilers HarperFrannie

I read it when it first came out in the 90s and it was one of my favourite books of the decade (that was a vintage decade for novels though IMHO). However, my memory of it is quite hazy now.

Yes, do stick with it!

Clovertoast · 29/01/2018 14:21

I loved it but it took a while to get into. Definitely NOT about time travel though Grin

Thatsnotmybody · 29/01/2018 14:20

I loved it from page one, I'd say if you hate it now leave it and read something you enjoy.