“The Secret History”

By Donna Tartt
-REVIEW-

Donna Tartt's bestseller “The Secret History” is a magnificent success, worthy of the title
Modern Classic, being both convincing and graceful, dramatic and playful. The novel
brings to the surface the manners in which the human nature can reshape itself.
A group of bright, quirky misfits at a prestigious New England college experiences a style
of thinking and living that is a world apart from their colleagues thanks to the influence
of their visionary classics professor. Nevertheless, when they go beyond the parameters
of conventional morals, their lives are deeply and permanently altered.
The story is narrated from the perspective of Richard Papen, who joins Bunny, Henry,
Francis, Charles, and Camilla as the newest member of this already formed group. Even
though in the beginning it seems that Richard is seen with suspicious eyes, later, they
get to know him as well as he discovers their unique personalities. All of them are
studying Ancient Greek and the old part of the group becomes obsessed with the cult of
Dionysus. One night, they perform a ritual seeking the loss of the physical body and
getting in touch with their divine part represented by the god of insanity. Unfortunately,
during this ritual, Henry Winter, the most passionate student, kills a man by mistake.
Trying to cover this murder, the teenagers go deeper into the darkness that will haunt
them for the rest of their lives.
This complex, sarcastic, well-written novel is a combination between multiple subjects.
Imagine if someone took a plain thriller mystery plot added Latin phrases, ambiguous
Greek mythology, an analysis of philosophy and rationality, and unlikeable, wealthy and
pretentious university students. Who would not want to have a glimpse into this
amalgamation of fused information that outlines a completely different world based on
the pure passion for learning and the change that is produced once the human nature is
left behind?
Ultimately, if you are still not convinced to read the novel, I shall add the fact that the
title does not reflect the complexity of the plot. In my opinion, the quote from the book:
“Beauty is terror” should have been its title, because it explains the tragic nature of the
characters who lose their soul in the chase after knowledge. The six teenagers break the
barriers of human’s weaknesses, rationalise their emotions and find the beauty in the
dreadful darkness of murder.