To be completely honest, I have read The Secret History a few times and I adore it, but I have never quite understood it as well as I have after reading this post, so thank you for this incredible read and the hard work you put into it!
I've read The Goldfinch, but don't feel inclined to reading The Secret History. There's an interesting (in my opinion) piece that "Trina Keep Trying" on the anti-Asian stereotyping that permeates Tartt's work; as an Asian-American, it feels unnecessarily hurtful (though get that other people can overlook that - still feel it's important that potential readers and readers are aware it's in there).
Thanks for this—it’s very helpful. I have a minor point to add.
You wrote:
“This technically absolves them of responsibility for Pentheus’ murder, as it is impossible for mortals to resist the influence of a god. The question is, can the same be said of the Greek class? I hardly think so.”
You’re right, of course, but I don’t know that Henry would agree.
“‘How,’ he said, “can I possibly make the Dean of Studies understand that there is a divinity in our midst?’”
Surely Julian deserves some blame, too—and he knows it.
TSH has me in a chokehold- I don't go a day without pondering the complexity of the story, contemplating what possibly happened on that fateful night and the what-ifs of the novel. I don't know if it's just me, but I feel drawn in by the Aestheticism of the text, and the appeal of the academia and elitism of the students, and then I feel horrified, because this book is directly critiquing that. Tartt just captured the vices of society that plague us in that text, and I'm honestly in awe of the masterpiece she created. I honestly feel like you could read and reread it exclusively for a year and rediscover new avenues of thought every read. Such a powerful text.
I love this! I've read most of the books referenced in The Secret History (courtesy of my own classics degree) but this reminded me I need to finally read Vanity Fair. Great analysis!
Love this! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.
To be completely honest, I have read The Secret History a few times and I adore it, but I have never quite understood it as well as I have after reading this post, so thank you for this incredible read and the hard work you put into it!
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate this☺️
Love this ! Such a great companion to the book!
Thank you so much!!🤎
Thank you for this masterclass!
did i read this bc i read the secret history or did i read the secret history bc i read this
ig we will never know
(ty for ur service!)
thanks so much!!🩷
The Secret History has capticated me deeply & this feels like a much needed appendix to it. Thank you for writing this!
I've read The Goldfinch, but don't feel inclined to reading The Secret History. There's an interesting (in my opinion) piece that "Trina Keep Trying" on the anti-Asian stereotyping that permeates Tartt's work; as an Asian-American, it feels unnecessarily hurtful (though get that other people can overlook that - still feel it's important that potential readers and readers are aware it's in there).
Thanks for this—it’s very helpful. I have a minor point to add.
You wrote:
“This technically absolves them of responsibility for Pentheus’ murder, as it is impossible for mortals to resist the influence of a god. The question is, can the same be said of the Greek class? I hardly think so.”
You’re right, of course, but I don’t know that Henry would agree.
“‘How,’ he said, “can I possibly make the Dean of Studies understand that there is a divinity in our midst?’”
Surely Julian deserves some blame, too—and he knows it.
Thanks for sharing Erszebét
TSH has me in a chokehold- I don't go a day without pondering the complexity of the story, contemplating what possibly happened on that fateful night and the what-ifs of the novel. I don't know if it's just me, but I feel drawn in by the Aestheticism of the text, and the appeal of the academia and elitism of the students, and then I feel horrified, because this book is directly critiquing that. Tartt just captured the vices of society that plague us in that text, and I'm honestly in awe of the masterpiece she created. I honestly feel like you could read and reread it exclusively for a year and rediscover new avenues of thought every read. Such a powerful text.
I love this! I've read most of the books referenced in The Secret History (courtesy of my own classics degree) but this reminded me I need to finally read Vanity Fair. Great analysis!
Love this! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
thank you for this i’ve only caught on to a few of the reference because im not yet well read enough to get all of them
Richard does have some things in common with Gatsby - both characters create lies about their past in order to fit in with the wealth 'in-group'
There is that, Richard is just such a loser to me