43 pages • 1 hour read
Donna TarttA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
576
Novel • Fiction
Vermont • 1980s
1992
Adult
18+ years
The Secret History by Donna Tartt follows six Classics students at Hampden College in Vermont, mentored by the enigmatic Professor Julian Morrow. As narrator Richard Papen joins this exclusive group, he recounts their obsession with Greek culture, leading to a series of tragic events including deception and murder driven by loyalty and ambition. The story delves into the allure and danger of intellectual and aesthetic pursuits. The novel contains depictions of violence, incest, murder, suicide, and substance addiction.
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Contemplative
Melancholic
859,016 ratings
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Donna Tartt's The Secret History is praised for its compelling narrative, richly drawn characters, and captivating exploration of intellectual and moral decay within an elite college group. Some find its prose overly dense and the pacing slow at times, but many agree it is an intriguing psychological thriller that leaves a lasting impression.
Fans of dark academia, complex characters, and chilling narratives will relish Donna Tartt's The Secret History. With its intellectual allure akin to F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and the psychological depth of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl, this novel captivates those who enjoy literary and philosophical intrigue.
859,016 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
576
Novel • Fiction
Vermont • 1980s
1992
Adult
18+ years
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