The Secret History

by Donna Tartt

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About this book

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.

“Does such a thing as "the fatal flaw," that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature?” , The Secret History, by Donna Tartt

Count your Coffees!

Often cited as the book that started off the Dark Academia genre, The Secret History is everything you can hope for: gloomy, elitist, dramatic and most of all, deeply human. It is one of those books that crawls under your skin and nestles there, even long after you have turned the last page.

It's not a whodunnit, but explores the growing doom that lead up to the disastrous decisions the characters make. It's more of a psychological thriller, if anything else.

It is a long book and the writing can be a little dense at times, as if you're reading a 19th century novel instead of a modern day book. This doesn't really bother as much, since it adds to the atmosphere of the genre, but it's that one detail for me that keeps it from earning five Coffees.

That being said, it still is one of my favorite books, filled with a selection of morally terrible people you absolutely hate to love and love to hate.

Buy this book: https://amzn.to/3ukY89A

Disclaimer: This site earns a small commission fee if you buy using any of the commercial links. This will not cost you anything extra, but helps me invest in the content I offer you free of charge. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your patronage, it makes all the difference!