Rating: 
Summary: Captivating, classical, chilling and charming
Review: Rereading it again, and it leaves you more spellbound with each page.
The complexity of her charachters lends credibility as the plot becomes increasingly
tense. Take time with this book, savour her use of language.
Have patience with the ending, yes you can say it is scrappy, or
you can say that it naturally leaves burning questions open.
Makes me want to read the Greek classics to understand the background better. Superb.
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing but some loose ends
Review: This very engrossing story about a small east coast college and a group of students who play with murder was an enjoyable read. The characters seem to live and breath outside the book. The writer creates a brooding atmosphere of suspense as the reader anxiously awaits the murder of "Bunny". However, many small bits and pieces of the novel were left to linger while the book continued to its conclusion. For instance, the explanation for why they murdered the first person seemed flimsy and inadequate. The greek god "experiment" which caused the book's catalyst was barely explained and then subsequently ignored for the rest of the book. This along with other loose strands cut into the overall chilling effect of the novel
Rating:
Summary: My life as a Classics Major...
Review: This book is, by far, one of the best I have ever read. I read it from cover to cover in a day and a half. Because I am a Classics major, I was able to identify with the academic situations the characters got themselves into, but I was also able to identify with the dark, purient curiousity of the arcane religion of Dionysus. Though Tartt doesn't seem to concisely wrap up the novel, she does a wonderful job of fleshing out the characters. Her students could quite possibly appear in any Classics department. From the brooding Henry to the flamboyant Francis (my friends say I remind them of him), the characters each have some type of noble Apollonian grace paired with some creative, yet dark Dionysian creativity and life. Spell binding and enrapturing! I loved it. I wish that Tartt would come out with another. If you are into the Classics or just love a great, intellectual piece of fiction, then read this book!!
Rating:
Summary: First half was great, the second was pretty repetitive
Review: After all of the talk, I was expecting something that I could not stop thinking about. I was wrong. I read this book on the way home from Florida during an 18 hr car trip. Maybe it was my clausterphobia, or maybe it was the fact that the books first half, nothing really cahnges, except they get drunk a little more, and act a little bit stranger. It had something good going for it, but then I got so bored with it, I almost didnt finish it. It is obvious that Donna Tartt is a good writer, but next time she should end the book sooner, and make the second half a little better. I am only 15 yrs old, so don't take my word for it.
Maybe you have to be a little older to understand all of the symbolism and Greek bullshit. For better reading, read JACK by AM HOMES,
GIRL by BLAKE NELSON, or AMERICAN PSYCHO by Bret Easton Ellis
Rating: 
Summary: Great start--doesn't totally deliver in the end
Review: This book reads quite quickly and is very engrossing...unfortuantely, the second half of it doesn't seem to deliver on the promise of the first half. The set-up and insight in the early part of the novel is stunningly well done, but for some reason the author decided to resolve way too much way too early in the novel...the second half isn't (somewhat because the plot dictates, granted) written nearly as tightly or exquisitely, and not a lot happens. Sort of an unsatisfactory ending
Rating:
Summary: So good, you'll turn to page one from page 300!
Review: If you ever wanted to know what was going on in the intellectual misfit clique, this murder mystery is for you! Set in picturesque New England, the reader can easily empathize with Richard, the small-town boy who dreamed big, got his chance at an exclusive college and discovered more about human nature than he ever wanted to know. Pseudo-intellectuals will enjoy the language challenge (our little clique speaks Greek) and marvel at the group dynamics; the mysterious ringleader, a pair of intriguing twins, a hapless frat boy, and our bewildered narrator. When you reach the end, you'll read it all over again - just to enjoy the subtle nuances of Tartt's writing
Rating:
Summary: excellent example of literary fiction
Review: I stumbled across this book while working as a cataloguer at a library. Because I am a fan of Jay McInerney, his recommendation caught my eye. I later found out Tartt is a close friend of Bret Easton Ellis and I think Ellis is an acquaintance of McInerney's. At any rate -- this is a great college novel and a superb literary mystery (though you know whodunit pretty early on, the mystery is: will the killer(s) get caught). Finally -- an author who can write without being trite or obvious. A couple of observations: the protagonist Richard resembles Scott Fitzgerald (poor among the rich) and supposedly Henry Winter's name came from T.S. Eliot's brother. Favorite part of the novel: the funeral at the Corcoran's house is hysterical - everybody knows pretentious boors like them. For those who haven't read it: don't let some boob tell you it's no good -- it's probably too intellectual for him or her.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book!
Review: One of the best books I have ever read - honestly. I have never read a book that gripped me as intensely as this.
Amazing book, never mind for a first effort. Donna, where have you gone? We are waiting for book #2!
Rating:
Summary: Once in a while...believe the hype!
Review: There was so much hype surrounding the publication of the Secret History, given the amazing sum of money paid to an author for a first effort, that I just had to go out and buy it so I could tell everyone "Don't believe the hype." Unfortunately (and fortunately!), I was unable to do that. The Secret History is undoubtedly the best work of modern literature that I have read in the past ten years. Both the story and the characters are elegantly crafted. It is absolutely riveting. I have read it several times. Each reading reveals additional nuances and creates a first-time experience all over again.
Once in a while...believe the hype
Rating:
Summary: hypnozise in my own world, me and the book
Review: so exiting, I havent finnished the book yet, some pages left, but I'm stuck in it, cant stop reading... but I often get depressed when I had read a great book and it's finnished, but about this book i wnat to read more of Donna Tartt's books!!!
But I also getting more thinking.. a deep filosof imself. I absolutely recomand it !!
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