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Original poster

Secret History by Donna Tartt. Suitable for teen?

34 replies

Verona82 · 04/12/2022 17:49

Hello,

Has anyone read the above book? Dd wants to read it but not sure if appropriate. Is it ok for a young teen?

Many thanks

OP posts:
Beamur · 05/12/2022 08:26

My 15 year old has read it. It's very popular amongst edgy teens at the moment. One of the key books in the 'dark academia' aesthetic.

Spirini · 05/12/2022 08:23

Of course it's ok for a teen. Especially compared to the trash Virginia Andrews I was reading aged 12, it's where I got my sex ed!

Gremlinsateit · 05/12/2022 08:18

Not suitable for anyone - how I disliked that book! I think it’s having a TikTok-led resurgence as DD has mentioned it as well.

What about The Go-Between? I think it has more to offer a young teen but still has that idea of discovering adult secrets.

Original poster
Verona82 · 04/12/2022 19:41

I think I'll give it a go first, thank you all X

OP posts:
emmylousings · 04/12/2022 19:01

Yes definitely, I'd be impressed by a teen reading it. Its considered to be a 'literary novel'.

bigbadbarry · 04/12/2022 18:59

It’s one of my favourite ever books. I think, let her try. If it’s not for her then she’s more likely to be bored than disturbed

DewinDwl · 04/12/2022 18:57

Probably late teens... there's incest, suicide and homicide/ murder.

Fireyflies · 04/12/2022 18:56

I think it's ok if they're a reasonably mature teen and used to adult fiction and themes. There's a incest theme in it but nothing very explicit. If it's something you'd consider reading yourself I always think that's good when they're reading books with adult themes, then you can talk about it with them if they want.

RainyReadingDay · 04/12/2022 18:53

It's certainly no worse than anything I had to read at school as a young teen, such as Lord of the Flies.

Quite a lot of references to classics etc, but can't see a real problem with it. Maybe read it yourself first. You know your own DD best and what she can cope with.