Jenny's Bookshelf: The Secret History- Donna Tartt

This book is usually found in the ‘Modern Classics’ section of all good book shops. I have picked up a few ‘Classics’ through the years, convinced the next one I pick will be the one that clicks. Alas, that day is yet to come. The great thing about Modern Classics is usually it means the writing is just that little bit more accessible, dispensing with the need to learn ye olde English before you can say for certain you have understood anything in front of you. 

I was drawn to The Secret History for a few reasons. Having looked no further than the title itself I had seen 2 things I was interested in. Prior to my recent reading resurgence the main genre of books I was drawn to was the Spy Novel. Having studied History and Politics at university my choice of fiction was not much of a departure from my comfort zone. I thought the Secret History would be just what it said on the tin. I am  incredibly pleased to report I was wrong. 

I had seen this book described as Dead Poets Society but a little bit darker. I loved Dead Poets Society and if this book could offer a similar mixture of inspiration and emotional upheaval to the movie I was sold. 

It is a hefty book of about 800 pages. This would be my biggest challenge as a reader since A-Level English Literature, but that was part of its appeal. 

I immediately knew what kind of book I  was getting into when the quotes before the introduction were Plato and Nietzsche. 

Pretentious. 

I enquire now as to the genesis of a philologist and assert the following: A young man cannot possibly know what Greeks and Romans are. He does not know whether he is suited to finding out about them. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Come then, and let us pass a leisure hour in story telling, and our story shall be the education of our heroes. - Plato

At first I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew. It had me googling words I had never heard within the first 10 pages. 

The story follows 6 students of Hampden College. All of whom are studying Greek from their eccentric professor Julien. It is written from the point of view of Richard. Richard is a boy who is desperate to do more than his peers from his home town of Plano. He has moved to Hampden and wishes to reinvent himself. We learn that in his efforts to appear more interesting to those around him Richard becomes a pathological little white liar. Small lies, half truths and over exaggerations come naturally to him, establishing him as our unreliable narrator. 

Richard becomes fascinated by a group of students that are ‘not like the others’. He sets about joining their exclusive Greek class taught by their enigmatic professor Julien. Despite several warnings from his other professors, Richard is invited into the fold and takes us with him as he is integrated into this mysterious group. 

It is known from the outset that the character of Bunny is dead. The story takes us through Richard’s year at Hampden college with this knowledge in the back of our minds. Our narrator holds our hand through stories of him observing the group longing to be a part of it, and his experience once he is welcomed within it. He takes us on seemingly pointless but entertaining tangents. You spend  chapters of the book wondering if the mystery of Bunny’s death will ever be solved as you learn more about this unnervingly odd group of friends. The writing is so beautiful, it is easy to get lost in the detailed descriptions of harsh yet breath-taking landscapes. The overarching plot becomes less important when the pictures are painted so vividly in your mind.  The author reveals each of the characters to you through the lens of a slightly obsessive admirer so you naturally place them on the same pedestal as the Richard. You are inducted into his fan club.

As the chapters creep closer to the finale, the tension builds slowly and subtly in a way that makes it almost impossible to stop reading. With every turn of the pages you feel as if you are inching closer to the answers you are now desperate for. Whilst the book could be described as  Murder Mystery at its simplest, it is not constructed in the way you would expect. There is no third act revelation where the clues littered within the story are laced together and finished with a neat and tidy bow. 

The murder serves as the fluorescent lamp in the interrogation room, thrust in the faces of these characters exposing all that makes them wonderful, and morally questionable all at once. The novel explores the arrogance of youth and those that believe themselves to be intellectually superior. It warns against the dangers of idolising simple humans. It demonstrates how easily the naivety of youth can be manipulated by the charm and charisma of those in positions of power.

For my first hefty book in a long time I really enjoyed The Secret History. So much so that every time I walk past it on the shelf I have to fight the urge to pick it up and start it again. I will try my best to wait until winter. It is the perfect book to read while curled up by lamplight listening to rain tapdancing on the windows.

I've tried to be careful not to go into too much detail about the story itself. I for one prefer to find out the story as I turn the pages. I would not want to spoil it for anybody.  There is a reason this book is on so many Best Seller lists, it is brilliant. I highly recommend this book to anyone willing to listen to me and I am hopeful now that I have written this, I can properly move on to all of the wonderful books I have waiting for me.