The Secret History discussion

Hello! I've read this book three times now, and I can't get over it. It is such a masterpiece and I just want someone to talk to about it! My main question if any, is what people think Henry whispered to Camilla before...y'know. Anyways, if you're interested make a post!

I volunteer :)

I volunteer too.

Hello, I would like to ask about what you guys think the climax of the book is? Is it the one when Bunny was killed? Or is it the one when they were fighting in the motel?

This book has been driving me crazy ever since I read it last year. Has it happened to anyone else where they literally cannot stop thinking about everything? Like how much we don't know about Camilla (or either of the twin's past) or how much Richard lied throughout the story. This book is wild.

Ray wrote: "This book has been driving me crazy ever since I read it last year. Has it happened to anyone else where they literally cannot stop thinking about everything? Like how much we don't know about Cami..."
Do we ever know everything about the people that we meet throughout our lifetime?

Rachel wrote: "Ray wrote: "This book has been driving me crazy ever since I read it last year. Has it happened to anyone else where they literally cannot stop thinking about everything? Like how much we don't kno..."

That's definitely true, and I think that's what makes the story so memorable.

Mind-blowing

"I managed to get out of taking my French exams the next week, due to the very excellent excuse of having a gunshot wound to the stomach. "
My god, this book.
Totally agree with the other comments: we literally don't know anything at all about these characters, but at the same time, we know SO much.
My best read in 2024

The way Tartt makes us feel so frustrated with the characters by the end of the novel is so intriguing to me…
By the end of the novel, we understand how and why Bunny was murdered, but it seems as though we leave with so many more questions than in the beginning; by the end of 600+ pages, we still know next to nothing about the other characters, even Richard. Richard’s unreliable narration compels us to question every word he says throughout the entire book, so much so that what little information we have is left open to doubt.
To me, this was a reflection of the concealing powers of beauty and pride, and a statement of how little we really know the people in our own lives…genius!

Hana wrote: "Hello, I would like to ask about what you guys think the climax of the book is? Is it the one when Bunny was killed? Or is it the one when they were fighting in the motel?"

It’s difficult to say…I would argue that the climax is Bunny’s death, since it ends up being the catalyst for the main events of the novel. The scene in the hotel is probably more of a prompt for the climax to happen.

Raine Reads wrote: "Hello! I've read this book three times now, and I can't get over it. It is such a masterpiece and I just want someone to talk to about it! My main question if any, is what people think Henry whispe..."

For me, it's either "wait for me" or "to live forever" I WISH DONNA TARTT TOLD US

Raine Reads wrote: "Hello! I've read this book three times now, and I can't get over it. It is such a masterpiece and I just want someone to talk to about it! My main question if any, is what people think Henry whispe..."

I think he whispered "memento vivere" to her which is Latin for "remember to live"

Hello! I'm so glad to have found this little group. I've just re-read the book and I am in full analysis mood :)
I was struck by how many themes and aspects of the characters that I've missed the first time. And it really stood out to me how much Richard is sometimes absent in his own narrative.

Which lead me to writing this analysis on my Substack @beyondthetext

in opinion Richard’s ghost presence could be considered a thematic exploration of his isolation but also an exploration of identity and his as role as an observer within a narrative that he intellectualizes.

I'd love to discuss it more!

Anaïs wrote: "The way Tartt makes us feel so frustrated with the characters by the end of the novel is so intriguing to me…
By the end of the novel, we understand how and why Bunny was murdered, but it seems as..."

Yes!! I agree. I think because he is such an unreliable narrator as the novel goes on we start to see his disenchantment with the group. He idolized them and created this image in his head but as he got closer he begins seeing their flaws and loses that image.

Hana wrote: "Hello, I would like to ask about what you guys think the climax of the book is? Is it the one when Bunny was killed? Or is it the one when they were fighting in the motel?"

The book is divided into book 1 and book 2. Both are the climax.

Anaïs wrote: "The way Tartt makes us feel so frustrated with the characters by the end of the novel is so intriguing to me…
By the end of the novel, we understand how and why Bunny was murdered, but it seems as..."

I couldn't agree more.