Synopsis
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. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last—inexorably—into evil.
Review
SPOILER ALERT: there are spoilers for the ending of the novel in this review!
Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is an enthralling, slow-burn mystery that masterfully combines aesthetic elegance with a dark, twisty narrative. Right from the start, we know Bunny is dead and that the remaining characters are complicit in something far more sinister than meets the eye. Narrated by the intriguingly unreliable Richard, the novel uses his selective recollections to deepen the mystery — every memory and detail is filtered through his skewed perspective, inviting readers to question what’s real and what remains hidden. This narrative technique perfectly complements the enigma of Bunny’s death, making each revelation feel both deliberate and suspenseful.
Tartt’s meticulous focus on aesthetics elevates the story to a work of art, and to the revered status of a modern classic. Every scene is painted with a refined, almost obsessive attention to detail — whether it’s the impenetrable air of mystery surrounding a select group of students and their destructive, secretive rituals, or even the louche extra-curricular activities of ordinary college students. The beauty in her prose is as compelling as the dark secrets that gradually unfold.
The novel’s pacing is as deliberate as it is engaging, offering small, tantalising pieces of the puzzle. We learn early on that the group is responsible for Bunny’s demise, yet the circumstances leading to that tragedy are slowly, masterfully revealed. The dual climaxes — first Bunny’s death, which we have in two parts, at the beginning, which is less shock and more intriguing, and then the reveal of how it came about, then the devastating impact of Henry’s demise — underscore the irreversible splintering of their lives. Even in the aftermath, the characters drift into lives that are merely shadows or mirror opposites of what they once more, reflecting the finality of their irreversible choices.
In every facet, from Richard’s unreliable narration to the richly detailed aesthetics that pervades the text, The Secret History captivates and compels. It’s a brilliant, layered mystery that rewards patience and close reading — a true masterpiece that deserves every one of its five stars.
The Ink Thief 