It’s no mystery why The Secret History by Donna Tartt is so beloved. While the novel itself is over 30 years old, it is continuously talked about amongst book lovers and is known for its unforgettable dark academia aesthetic.
The first time I read this book, I fell in love with the story, but more specifically, the eerie themes and undeniably screwed up characters. While there are many reasons I would recommend this book to anyone, here are my top three…
1. The timeless mystery of an unreliable narrator
It is not shocking that Richard Papen (the narrator) has a very skewed perception of the world and consistently romanticizes the people around him despite their questionable actions. Without giving too much away, his descriptions and inner dialogue about the other characters and ongoing scenarios are shocking and quite disturbing at times.
His delusions guide the direction of the book and left me–and many others–wondering if this is the true story. He expresses that “I am nothing in my soul if not obsessive,” which is something I take into consideration when labeling him as a malefactor.
2. The story is (loosely) based on Tartt’s real experiences at Bennington College
It’s no mystery that Donna Tartt wrote The Secret History as a result of her time at Bennington College in the 80s. However, there has been much speculation over the years about which real people Tartt based the characters on.
While many are and might always remain uncertain, Tartt went to school with Michelle Matland–who is the costume designer for Succession–and has undeniable similarities to the character of Judy Poovey. Various journalists over the years have proven that there is a strong connection between them.
Although slightly unrelated to her book, Tartt also knew Bret Easton Ellis, who is the author of American Psycho, and was actually set up on a blind date with him their freshman year of college. This connection is absolutely insane and ties two psychological fiction authors together in an unconventional way.
3. The endless allusions and connections that Tartt makes to famous classics
As an avid reader and lover of classical literature, one of the many things that made me admire Donna Tartt is her knowledge of literary works and her ability to analyze and question them.
Among many names, some of the books that she refers to are The Iliad, Crime and Punishment, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1989, The Great Gatsby, and Madame Bovary, as well as authors and poets including Aristotle, T.S. Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Plato, and Shakespeare.
These names and titles hold a lot of power, and Tartt’s choice to reference them is absolutely revolutionary.
Ultimately…
Tartt describes Hampden College as “a body, [that] was always strangely prone to hysteria,” which is something to take into account when reading this book.
That being said, I truly cannot recommend The Secret History enough as it has changed my overall perspective in many ways, and I hope I have convinced you to read it in the process.