The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: Thriller

The Secret History by Donna Tartt follows a nineteen-year-old Richard Papen, a college student who moves from Plano, California, to attend Hampden College in Vermont. It is, in a broader sense, a commentary on human nature and who we are in our truest forms, at least according to the Greeks. It is a novel style modern play with Richard serving as merely a perspective on the tragic events that unfold during his time in Hampden.

The story begins with Richard's fascination with five Greek students: Camilla and Charles Macaulay, Francis Abernathy, Bunny Corcoran, and Henry Winter, and the introduction of their idea of 'purpose.' This purpose, being "a mobid longing for the picturesque at all costs," alongside the murder of Bunny, is revealed to the reader in the first pages of the book. The rest of the narration is split between the months leading up to the murder and the time after. Tartt explores elitism, desire, and asks the question of what man would do if his perception of reality became nothing more than himself and the group of people around him. It is a statement mutually agreed upon during one of their Greek classes that the only real desire that exists is to live forever. However, as the book progresses, the reader finds that immortality comes at the expense of immorality. Yet, despite this, it is difficult to put the blame on any particular character. Instead, the reader feels the same way as Richard does, namely, disillusioned. The murder is depicted not as death but as consequence of life. But when the adrenaline is stripped off, when the beauty in death is gone, the group is left to face real-world restrictions on good and evil, and the rest becomes a matter of trying to be made innocent.

Richard Papen: The narrator. Richard comes from an ordinary background in California and becomes obsessed with a small, elite group of classics students at college. What makes him interesting is that he's both an insider and an outsider. He desperately wants to belong, which causes him to overlook things that should alarm him. Because we see the story through his lens, we constantly question how reliable his version of events is.

Henry Winter: The intellectual leader of the group. Henry is brilliant, wealthy, and extraordinarily knowledgeable about ancient languages and philosophy. What makes him unique is his detachment from ordinary morality. He often approaches life like a classical Greek tragedy rather than reality, making him both fascinating and unsettling.

Bunny Corcoran: A member of the group whose murder is revealed on the first page of the book. Bunny appears charming, funny, and carefree, but is also manipulative, selfish, and cruel. His contradictions and relationships with the others make him one of the most complex characters in the novel as it drives much of the plot, while also revealing the group's hidden tensions.

Francis Abernathy: The wealthy owner of a country estate where much of the group's social life takes place. Francis is witty, anxious, and deeply concerned with aesthetics, similar to the rest of the group. However, the vulnerability beneath his sophisticated exterior is what makes him memorable and almost a "middleman" throughout the story.

Charles Macaulay: One of the twins. Charles initially seems friendly and easygoing, but as the novel progresses, his flaws and insecurities become more apparent. His gradual unraveling adds tension to the story.

Camilla Macaulay: Charles's twin sister and the only woman in the group. Camilla is intelligent, graceful, and somewhat mysterious. What makes her interesting is how little we truly know about her despite her significance to the story and especially to the original Dionysian ritual, the bacchanal; she often functions as an idealized figure in the eyes of others.

Julian Morrow: The classics professor who gathers the students into his exclusive circle. Julian is charismatic, cultured, and seemingly wise. What makes him interesting is the powerful influence he has over the students, particularly Henry, and the question of how responsible he is for what follows.

It is similar to the book If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio in that both are classified as psychological thrillers with a subgenre of dark academia. The 'academia' in both books signifies the academic settings in which both books are set, while the 'dark' hints at the murder and chaotic nature of the books. They are often labeled as the "three big dark academia books" alongside Babel by R.F. Kaung, which I have yet to read at the time that I am writing this.

However, I must emphasize that, at least to me, one book is not a copy of the other just because it involves a group of people who are isolated from society. Both books I loved to the fullest and recommend to all readers interested in exploring themes of murder and intellect. If We Were Villains, I will say, however, is perhaps less for pseudo-intellectuals and more for a younger audience, considering that it has an easier pace to follow and not complex ideas and references that aren't common knowledge. It is still, no doubt, a great introduction to dark academia and, in my opinion, a book that should be read before The Secret History, if you are planning on reading both.

I did like The Secret History and would recommend it because it's a compelling and thought-provoking novel that blends elements of mystery, psychological fiction, dark academia, and tragedy. Rather than focusing solely on solving a crime, the book explores themes of obsession, morality, friendship, and the consequences of one's choices through a cast of complex and unforgettable characters. Its rich atmosphere and detailed writing create an immersive reading experience, while the combination of several genres allows the story to appeal to a wide range of readers. I especially enjoyed how the novel encourages readers to think deeply about the characters' motivations and actions, making it a book that allows for multiple interpretations and stays with you long after you finish it. I like the cover of The Secret History because it's simple, elegant, and mysterious, much like the novel itself. The cover does not reveal the plot directly or have any hidden messages within it, but its classical imagery and dark, understated design reflect the book's focus on ancient Greek studies, intellectualism, and secrecy.

Reviewed by Samia