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The secret history by Donna Tartt

62 replies

sleepyeyes · 02/06/2008 13:09

Hi on page 20 of this book seems ok so far, hasn't totaly captured me yet, but I've been told by many its fab.

Is it worth the hype?
What should i expect? Dont want spoilers, but have no idea what type of book this is.

I got the feeling that she doesn't write the most likeable charecters?

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northernrefugee39 · 17/06/2008 08:09

Oh you must keep going, it's a great book.
Loiked The little friend too, although thought Secret History was better.

TheGoddessBlossom · 16/06/2008 14:14

abandoned The Little Friend. What a weird book! And why did I buy it in huge hardwback so it is taking up loads of room on my bookcase?

babyinacorner · 09/06/2008 21:47

sleepyeyes - try oracle night or the brooklyn follies

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sleepyeyes · 08/06/2008 20:48

LOL notnowbernard very passionate!

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notnowbernard · 08/06/2008 20:02

Oops, just realised you did!

Glad you enjoyed it

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sleepyeyes · 08/06/2008 20:00

jamescagney; lol imagine if you had had twins and they grew up to read it, they would think you were nuts or a lest a little disturbed!

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notnowbernard · 08/06/2008 20:00

Persevere!

It's worth it

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sleepyeyes · 08/06/2008 19:58

Judy poovy liked her too, liked how she would just suddenlt POP up here and there was disapointed that richard had a relationship with sophie rather than judy.

Hassel: tried little friend a few years ago and really couldn't get into it but I'm going to re-read.

Babyincorner: Wasn't keen on the kite runner.
Looked up Paul Auster on amazon he looks like someone I might like. Is there any of his books you could reccomend?

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babyinacorner · 08/06/2008 19:11

that should be paul auster

babyinacorner · 08/06/2008 19:09

The secret history is definitely my fave book. Other good ones I think are 'life of pi'(sp?) and 'the kite runner' also have you tried any Pual Auster books,he is an amazing storyteller.

francagoestohollywood · 08/06/2008 19:09

I read the little friend quite avidly. But I still haven't worked out whether I liked it or not. However, lots of scenes, atmospheres etc are stuck in my mind.

Hassled · 08/06/2008 19:06

I'm so glad you stuck it out . You could try "The Little Friend", also by Donna Tartt - equally powerful but very different in plot/environment etc. You find yourself thinking about her books long after you've finished reading them.

jamescagney · 08/06/2008 19:05

omg! it's brilliant. If I had twins,I was gonna call them Charles and Camilla, thankfully had a singleton...
I loved it so much, wrote a dissertion on it for my BA, over 10 years ago and adored it. Have the Little Friend and been unable to get past page one.
I love all the Latin/Greek references and how Richard was always sleeping as Judy Poovey so insightfully said! it is my favourite book

< faints away with excitement>

francagoestohollywood · 08/06/2008 19:04

I'm planning to have a late bath tonight, and spend a blissful half an hour soaking in the tub and reading it

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sleepyeyes · 08/06/2008 18:58

Franca; enjoy it a geat book totaly unpredicatable!

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francagoestohollywood · 08/06/2008 18:53

I started it 2 days ago and find it very absorbing. I'm actually rather excited

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sleepyeyes · 08/06/2008 18:40

I'VE FINISHED!
The best I've read in a long time, I usually read a lot quicker but I felt the secret history needed a bit more care and attention.
It kept me intrigued to the very end. I really enjoyed the epilogue, very detailed, lol the cat!

Her characterisation is very interesting, my opinions constantly changed between feeling them quite cold and unlikable in the beginning, to intrigue, warming towards them, irritated at them, back to liking a few to hating some. Oh yeah eww that is not an appropriate thing to do with your brother love just stick to the card playing in future.

In the end I felt that although the others are a little less of a mystery except the narrator Richard, they all seem to think highly of him but, why?
Will certainly leave it a year or so then re-read again see what new things I will pick up in it.

Can anyone recommend me a book equal to this?

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shubiedoo · 07/06/2008 22:33

Oh I love this book soo much. I keep rereading it too! Enjoy!

chonky · 07/06/2008 22:33

One of my fave books of all time. The Little Friend most disappointing.

yogabird · 07/06/2008 22:30

oh hi mrsguy - how was egypt and did you read the book? Which?

loved Secret history, sadly no longer have my copy after lending it to a man about 15 years ago... enough said

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 05/06/2008 20:26

Do stick with it - i read it a few years back but found it one of theose books that really go to me - could not get inot 'the liltel friend' at all, very disappointing

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sleepyeyes · 05/06/2008 20:18

Just a quick update; really getting into it now on page 245 and although I usually read a lot faster (annoyingly I had a really long car journey yesterday and I forgot it) I do find myself thinking about it trying to work it out and I?m quite keen to get back to it.

EmmieH your right you have to hang in there and once you get to about page 100 the plot start moving and by page 150 you?re griped.
Judy Poovy? Really well I?m looking forward to her being a bit more involved then.
Can?t stand Bunny. The others, well maybe not Francis, seem alright.

I?m so inspired by the book that I found a website that is about ancient Greece, it has homer etc in ancient Greek and English plus a little on how to read Greek.

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Chequers · 05/06/2008 15:32

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northernrefugee39 · 05/06/2008 15:22

Oh yes, it's a fab book, you have to persist.

Fishie, I really agree; didn't think that much The Lovely Bones, but really thought The Little Friend was great.
I read The Time traveller's wife at around the same time actually, and didn't think that was too much to write home about, tho everyone i knew loved it.

EmmieH · 05/06/2008 15:10

This is one of my all time favourite books. First read it about 10 years ago and love going back to it once a year. It's a bit like going on holiday! Stick with it to about page 100 when suddenly the whole thing makes sense. It's a joy! One of those books you want to WILL another chapter on to the end of or suddenly find that Donna Tartt has written a sequel. Agree with the point about the unlikable characters (apart from Judy Poovey who I do just love). Enjoy!