“Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it.”
We’ve become serious gluttons for dark academia and intensely psychological thrillers throughout our reading journey here at What We Reading. From the antiquity of Alex Michaelides to the captivating Cambridge setting in The Bellwether Revivals, there’s something about following sophisticated smart people losing themselves in the macabre and sinister that we simply cannot get enough of. So it’s safe to say that getting around to reading the modern founder of the dark academia was long overdue. Thankfully, we’re delighted to say that we’ve finally done just that. Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is one of the most revered contemporary novels of all time, following a group of charismatic classics students as they slip beyond the boundaries of morality. But, with such a heavy reputation and our love for these types of tales behind it, does Tartt’s live up to the hype? Join us for our The Secret History book review!
Date Published: 1992
Author: Donna Tartt
Pages: 559
Goodreads Rating: 4.17/5
Premise
The Secret History is a story that centres around a group of elite, eccentric students studying classics at the elite Hampden College in rural Vermont. Under the influence of their charismatic professor, Julian Morrow, the students are taught a new way of thinking and living that is worlds apart from the humdrum existence of their peers.
The group, led by the mysterious and enigmatic Henry Winter, becomes increasingly detached from society as they are immersed in their classical studies and their own philosophical ideals. Their bond is sealed through a tragic and shocking act: the murder of one of their own. As the group spirals into guilt, paranoia and disintegration, the novel explores themes of beauty, morality and the consequences of living outside social norms.
Narrated through the lens of Richard Papen, a newcomer to the group, Tartt’s tale explores the devastating impact of their crime and the fatalistic disillusionment that follows in its wake.
What Worked
The Secret History feels like a momentous piece of art to read through. Tartt’s writing is nothing short of mesmerising. From the first page, she weaves a haunting, atmospheric tale that lingers with you long after the book is finished. Her vivid descriptions bring the New England setting and its characters to life, immersing readers in the eerie world of Hampden College and the complex relationships within the group. The tone is both chilling and captivating which more than captures the feeling of unease that only grows throughout the novel.
The characters themselves are richly developed, each one with a distinct personality that shines through, making them feel incredibly authentic. Tartt deftly explores how each member of the group disintegrates differently following the crime at the story’s core. Their reactions are all firmly rooted in their personalities, which offers a fascinating look at human nature under pressure. The way in which their fates unfold is suspenseful and unpredictable, adding a layer of mystery.
The themes explored in The Secret History – isolation, morality, human nature and the dangers of existing outside the confines of social expectations – are all powerfully depicted. Tartt delves into these ideas in a manner that feels both intellectual and emotional.
Finally, whilst we’re sure The Secret History wasn’t the first book to introduce every trope associated with the dark academia genre, Tartt breathes new life into so many of them. Her portrayal of academia’s dark undercurrents, the allure of intellectual elitism and the indulgence in these ideals all feel fresh and compelling, which is perhaps why it is so revered as the modern-day father of the genre.
What Didn’t
Whilst we praised the characters and their vibrancy on the whole, it’s safe to say that two members of the group (Henry and Bunny) stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to having distinct voices. The others can sometimes feel like they’re being put into the sorts of traditional roles we’ve all read time and time again i.e. Camillia, the sole female in the group, being a love interest for almost everyone she encounters.
One other character we see far less than we were expecting is Julian himself. Given how central his influence over the group is meant to be to the narrative, we were probably expecting to see more that put his charm and teachings on show, and how they pushed the group toward such dark, morally ambiguous choices.
After a reasonably slow start, the novel reaches a climax around the 200-page mark and then slows dramatically again; shifting toward soap-opera-esque subplots as the clique navigate the fallout of their crime. While the emotional and psychological aftermath is naturally crucial to the story, these subplots all contribute to this being a meaty read that some readers may be put off by.
Verdict
The Secret History is a beautifully written novel that more than delivers Donna Tartt’s skills in creating a haunting, atmospheric narrative that enthrals from beginning to end. The story’s dark immersive setting and the well-fleshed characters provide a gripping exploration of morality, human indulgence and the fatal repercussions that come with exceeding social constraints. Tartt’s really is a joy to read, pulling readers vividly into the world of Hampden College, its students, and their unravelling in the wake of their tragic crime.
Though there are a few shortcomings – particularly what we feel is an under-utilisation of Julian – these are all minor distractions in an otherwise captivating narrative. The novel’s length and slower pacing might not appeal to every reader, but the depths of the characters and the philosophical themes explored make this a slog worth committing to.
Ultimately, The Secret History more than deserves its acclaim as one of the defining works of dark academia. Tartt expertly weaves together intellectualism, obsession and the allure of moral ambiguity, creating a novel that will stay with us for a very long time.
Our Rating: 5/5
Check Out The Best Books Like The Secret History
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
