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Original poster

The Secret History by Donna Tartt. a question.

26 replies

lulu05 · 09/01/2012 19:49

Has it been made into a film? I'm 100ish pages in and the characters and setting seem so familiar I can visualise them but know nothing of the plot. I can only think I've seen the start of a movie based on the book. Or its just very well written (which I suppose is the obvious answer!). Anyone?

OP posts:
yellowraincoat · 09/01/2012 19:55

No it hasn't. I love that book, so good. I think it is just so well written that, like you say you can visualise the characters.

Have you read The Little Friend?

Pishtushette · 09/01/2012 19:55

I haven't seen the film (if there is one), but would love to. I've read it twice, I didn't like it so much the second time as I'd read a negative review that I found myself agreeing with.

The first time I thought it was absolutely amazing. I could not put it down.

Hassled · 09/01/2012 19:57

I'd forgotten all about the Secret History - that's now next on my re-read list, so thank you. I don't think there's been a film - I think Donna Tartt is just very very good at descriptive writing. You can see the places so easily, and they stay with you. Enjoy it :).

WowOoo · 09/01/2012 20:01

I know what you mean. I could just imagine the scenes vividly when I read it.
I also thought bits of it seemed to be so utterly believable, too familiar somehow.
Bloody loved that book and the Little Friend too.
Am surprised they haven't been adapted for screen actually. Maybe Donna said 'NO!'.

Greythorne · 09/01/2012 20:05

It has not yet been made into a film, but there are repeated rumours about it.

I remember media stories that Leo di Caprio was slated for the role of Richard and Gwyneth as Camilla.....the rumours have been going for years, obviously, as these two are pushing 40 so would struggle to play callow college students.

I also loved it but was seriously disappointed with The Little Friend.

Original poster
lulu05 · 09/01/2012 20:07

Thank you for your replies. It was the description of the twins wearing pale colours/mostly white which really struck me.
Bought it having seen it recommended here probably by some of you. Agree it is gripping and so well paced.

OP posts:
echt · 10/01/2012 06:53

Oooh, I haven't re-read this for a while.

I enjoy anything which means I don't have to crack on with the professional reading.:o

Original poster
lulu05 · 19/01/2012 21:43

Finished a few days ago. Loved it.
Pishtushette i'm interested to hear what the negative review had to say.

OP posts:
AnonymousBird · 20/01/2012 11:43

Oh gosh, other Donna Tartt fans!!!!! Yipppeeeeeee.

I loved the Secret History, truly one of my favourite books ever.

I also loved the Little Friend.... until the end. End such a let down after an incredible read until just before!

anonacfr · 22/01/2012 19:48

I remember loving both books- has she published anything else?

Haberdashery · 22/01/2012 20:34

The Secret History is one of my all time favourite books. So wonderful and I totally agree about it all seeming so vivid that it's as if you can see it all unfolding. I have to say, I hope they never film it. I think it would be a disaster.

I didn't get on with The Little Friend at all. Plan to try again some day (but have reread The Secret History at least three times in the mean time).

miaowmix · 22/01/2012 20:36

such a fantastic book - you've reminded me to re-read it, thanks!

howdoo · 22/01/2012 22:16

Secret History is one on my favourite books ever, but couldn't get into My Little Friend at all - don't think she has done anything else. It's like Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha - you just think, hurry up and write something else ... and then they don't!

Beamur · 22/01/2012 22:18

The end of the "Little Friend' was just awful, such a good book until that point!

AtYourCervix · 22/01/2012 22:22

i think a load of the twilight books were liften from it.all that pale insular family stuff running through woods eating deer.

TunipTheVegemal · 22/01/2012 22:23

what a pity Gwyneth's missed the boat, she'd have been perfect for Camilla.

wordfactory · 23/01/2012 19:04

TSH is one of my favourite books.
Why hasn't Donna Tartt written millions of books???!!!???

AnonymousBird · 23/01/2012 19:21

word - I wish she would produce something else (with a proper bloody ending this time though!)

minceorotherwise · 23/01/2012 19:25

Ooh my favourite book!

NoOnesGoingToEatYourEyes · 23/01/2012 22:30

I love The Secret History and I half wish they would make it into a film, but I'm also scared they will ruin it.

Gwyneth isn't my Camilla. My Camilla isn't quite so boney or wet fishy.

I'm not sure who my Camilla is though.

Highlander · 31/01/2012 16:24

One of my top 10 books.

Haberdashery · 01/02/2012 12:10

LOL at wet fishy! I agree, btw. My Camilla looks more like Claire Danes in Romeo and Juliet.

peeriebear · 01/02/2012 12:16

Oh, one of my favourite books ever :o Love it and I have not picked it up in about two years- good to go again I think!
Pish I had the same thing as you, I read a slightly dissatisfied review of the book and found myself picking up slightly on the points made. Yes, Richard is a it of a MacGuffin character; why do the other characters like him/confide in him/include him? He is a fairly blank character apart from the descriptions of his childhood. I still adore this book though. I wanted to meet Henry, and Bunny, out of all of them.

peeriebear · 01/02/2012 12:17

And I hated, hated the end of Little Friend. I turned the page eagerly to read the last chapter... And that was it, the end brutally truncated IMO, and I've never read it again.

FullBeam · 01/02/2012 12:20

I loved The Secret History. Disappointed by Little Friend though.

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