Anyone who DIDN'T like The Secret History?

[valiumredhead]

I'm really trying but have stopped reading less than a third in. Does it get better? I think I've stopped caring about any of the characters tbh.

I had such high hopes for it after reading all the rave reviews.

Me, I didn't get past the first couple of chapters so you are doing better than me.

I preferred 'The Little Friend' as am very keen on Modern Southern Gothic. I have just started 'The Goldfinch' too.

It's very very good when you give it a chance. I was lent it years ago and now it's my number one book to recommend if someone is looking for something different.
The weird thing is nothing actually really happens, but you're a changed person at the end. As you already know, Bunny is a goner and we know whodunnit. But the fallout, which is what the book is about, is spectacular. And you find out why they killed him as well.
The sad thing is there will likely never be a film as there is some argument over contracts or something.

It's very very good when you give it a chance. I was lent it years ago and now it's my number one book to recommend if someone is looking for something different.
The weird thing is nothing actually really happens, but you're a changed person at the end. As you already know, Bunny is a goner and we know whodunnit. But the fallout, which is what the book is about, is spectacular. And you find out why they killed him as well.
The sad thing is there will likely never be a film as there is some argument over contracts or something.

I started a thread the other day on this very same subject. I did not enjoy it one bit. Thought it was pretentious.

It reminds me of The Magus, even written like it imo.

I hated it too. Found it completely turgid.

Have always been utterly baffled by the mass adoration of the book and author. It's always seemed to be a book you HAVE to say you like

I liked one and hated the other of hers. Unfortunately I can remember nothing at all about either of them.

Bloody loved it. Read it years ago and thought it one of the best books I had ever read. The denouement was shocking!

But, horses for courses, it's not for everyone, I just returned Johnathan Franzen's Freedom to the library after reading a third of it as couldn't stomach any more of the characters...

I thought it was awful, didn't care about any of the characters, as you say. I finished it as I thought there must be a reason why everyone raved about it, but there wasn't. And she used 'could of' instead of 'could have' at one point

I loved it when I read it when it first came out and don't think I would now. It's very well-structured and tense, and very stylish in an 80s sort of way, but it is also quite mannered, not completely convincing and a lot of the characters are very interesting and well-drawn stereotypes but stereotypes nonetheless.
I do think it's a bloody amazing first novel, but I can see why people wouldn't like it.

Oh I didn't realise it was out in the 80's, it does seem dated if that makes sense? I'm ploughing on with it...

Glad it's not just me though

I loved it. Wasn't 't so taken with The Little Friend though. Has anyone read The Goldfinch? Did you like it?

I loved it when it came out. I reread it recently and thought it was a but dull. I hated her other books.

Wasn't keen on it at all, and found the Little Friend next to unbearable. I thought I was the only one!

It was published in 1992 but she started writing it in 1983, so it is very much an 80s book.

I remember devouring it in a couple of days in the mid-90s - refusing to get off the tube at my stop because I couldn't stop reading it, that sort of thing. I thought it was a spectacularly well-written book, I've never heard of anyone having to get into it, I was gripped from the first page. I liked the Little Friend but not to the same degree. I'll definitely read the Goldfinch when it comes out in paperback.

I never liked it - couldn't care about any of the characters. I've only met one other person who didn't like it. I'm quite cheered to find like minded people.