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Original poster

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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constancereader · 02/06/2008 19:46

I really liked it but thought her second was boring. Glad to see I wasn't the only one.

GreenElizabeth · 02/06/2008 19:48

I read it a decade ago and loved it.

i still remember the first page. richard had a summer job in a book store in boca raton. have to admit i was hooked from the first word.

little friend such a drag in comparison.

fishie · 02/06/2008 19:51

this is such a coincidence! i was desperately trying to remember her name earlier today. i was trying to tell someone that i preferred 'the little friend' to 'lovely bones'

i also love martha grimes 'cold flat junction'
i seem to be the only person in the world who does like those two though.

JaneHH · 02/06/2008 19:53

Yes to The Secret History, a resounding NO to The Little Friend, which was just downright boring and gruesome iirc. Glad to see it wasn't just me who thought so!

WowOoo · 02/06/2008 20:09

I absolutely loved this book. One of the rare ones that I would love to read again. Loved Little Friend too.

Original poster
sleepyeyes · 02/06/2008 22:56

TwoIfBySea, Funny just finished we need to talk about kevin today, which is why I was worried about another set of unlikable characters.

I actually bought her second novel when it first came out (I went to buy secret history but didnt have it) and really hated it so it put me off her. But I keep hearing how great it is so curiosity got me.

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Blueskythinker · 02/06/2008 23:04

My sis gave me both of Tarrt's books, but I started Little Friend first & gave up. Haven't bothered with the Secret History because of it. This thread has inspired me to go and dust it off and give it a go.

(It had better be good)

ninedragons · 03/06/2008 06:14

Fab book. Without meaning to sound wanky, it has that sort of Shakesperian tragic inevitability - once the plot elements are in place it almost takes on a life of its own.

The Little Friend is weaker in the plot, but so extraordinarily vivid I think it's worth reading just for the images.

WhatSheSaid · 03/06/2008 07:24

Agree fab fab fab book. Read it in a few days as I just couldn't put it down. May go and re-read it now.

(Second book didn't do it for me though)

tigermoth · 03/06/2008 08:05

I loved 'The Little Friend' - I was gripped from the very first page. It is rare for me to find a book unputdownable - the story and characterisation absolutely held me. It really stood out for me.

I too am now reading the first few chapters of 'The Secret History'. It has not gripped me as much as The Little Friend but I like the way it is written and I feel it is a slow burner.

I started The Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver a month ago and didn't like it at all. I couldn't relate to the characters and didn't like the style of writing.

FlossieTCake · 03/06/2008 22:43

Secret History = fan-bloody-tastic. Stick with it. I didn't read it for ages because it looked like prurient slop from the marketing (and coincidentally was being read by a supposed-to-be friend who only ever read prurient slop), then was given a copy by a friend flying back to the States and trying to lighten her luggage.

The characters are almost all almost thoroughly obnoxious but I found it totally gripping - my copy has nearly completely collapsed now but I hang onto it for sentimental reasons (oh, and the shelf it's on is only high enough to take US-format cheap paperbacks anyway so the usual "I need the space" factor doesn't apply since I can't put anything else there).

I really liked The Little Friend too but I seem to remember that the reviews were generally not good. It's quite different in style.

Jenbot · 03/06/2008 23:07

I liked the secret history and the little friend. You hardly find anyone who liked the little friend though I must admit!

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!

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.

Chequers · 05/06/2008 15:32

Message withdrawn

Original poster
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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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

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

chonky · 07/06/2008 22:33

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

shubiedoo · 07/06/2008 22:33

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

Original poster
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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francagoestohollywood · 08/06/2008 18:53

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

Original poster
sleepyeyes · 08/06/2008 18:58

Franca; enjoy it a geat book totaly unpredicatable!

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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

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>