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Original poster

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:
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.

Clovertoast · 29/01/2018 14:21

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

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!

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.

Original poster
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:
Original poster
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:
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.

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.

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!

LockedOutOfMN · 29/01/2018 21:53

I absolutely love "The Secret History".

MozzchopsThirty · 29/01/2018 21:57

Hideous book, don't waste your time, life's too short

I took 5 books on holiday, read all the other 4 but after getting maybe a third through this I just gave up

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 29/01/2018 22:02

It's one of my favourite books, it's really very good. Stick with it.

HumphreyCobblers · 29/01/2018 22:05

I loved this book. But it grabbed me from the word go, so maybe it is not for you? I read it when I was the same age as the protagonist, so I think I got sucked into the world along with him.

I would also like to read the book you thought you were getting OP.

GeorgeTheHamster · 29/01/2018 22:05

It's one of my favourites too.

no time travel 😄

Lazylouse · 29/01/2018 22:06

I read this for my book group recently. We were underwhelmed and a couple of people who had loved it years ago couldn't quite remember why, as on rereading it hadn't impressed them.

pontiouspilates · 29/01/2018 22:20

I loved this book when I read it back in the 90's. I'm really hoping it has stood the test of time. Keep on with it OP!

lastqueenofscotland · 29/01/2018 22:34

I adore this book. I have a line from it tattooed on me... 21 year old me thought that was an excellent idea...

ScreamingValenta · 29/01/2018 22:36

I really enjoyed it the first time I read it, but it didn't stand up particularly well to a re-read, and I couldn't get into any of Donna Tartt's other books.

Original poster
HarperFrannie · 30/01/2018 06:18

I read a bit more last night & it's getting going a bit now, although I still don't love it. I'll stick with it a bit longer I think. Shame there's no time travel though - the author missed a trick there Grin

OP posts:
IWouldBeSuperb · 30/01/2018 07:30

Ooh...which line queen?

Sounds like something teenage me would have done without my crippling needle-phobia! Smile

ShimmeringIce · 30/01/2018 09:02

I loved it too, still do. It may be that I was a similar age to Richard when I first read it though.

Yes, please tell us which line LastQueen! I painstaking transcribed one of the final paragraphs onto a duvet cover with fabric marker 😁

lastqueenofscotland · 30/01/2018 13:00

The "be still says my heart, I am a solider and I have seen worse sights than this"
Thankfully the guy I'm seeing also loves books and doesn't think I'm tragic Blush

calmandbright · 30/01/2018 13:21

Read this recently - it’s fantastic! Couldn’t put it down Smile

HumphreyCobblers · 30/01/2018 14:03

To be fair, that is an EXCELLENT quote lastqueen!

allegretto · 30/01/2018 14:09

Stick with it! (I thought the novel Middlesex was a history of the county until I actually got round to reading it - I thought it was strange that it was so popular).

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