Rating: 
Summary: I am a disappointed Tartt fan
Review: The Secret History is my favorite book, so I was really looking forward to her new novel. I had the book on order long before it was released. What a disappointment. It took me months and months to finish because I simply was not interested in any of the characters, the story or even the writing style. this book was really painful to read. It really isn't about the disappointing ending, but the almost unbearable journey getting there.
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Summary: With Friends Like These...
Review: If you're a fan of Tartt's earlier book The Secret History (synopsis: several pretentious philosophy-majors participate in a Dionysian revelry leading to murder, betrayal, Byron quotations, languid speeches by pale-faced heroines, etc., etc.), than you probably had your nose pressed up against the bookstore window in anticipation of her newest novel, The Little Friend. And while the book shares the same gothic sensibility as The Secret History, the story line lacks the imagination and intensity of its predecessor. Eleven years after the murder of her older brother, twelve year old Harriet decides to solve the mystery of his death. In the process, she unearths not just circumstantial details about his hanging, but also what's concealed in her family history. Works well for the first 100 pages, but then you begin to fear that you've somehow blanked out while reading or accidentally skipped a few chapters. Otherwise, you might wonder why Tartt decided to take an intriguing idea and turn it into an increasingly dull narrative that becomes The Little Summer Where Nothing Much Happened Until the Very End if You Even Get That Far. The characters are likable enough, especially Harriet, who loves reading The Jungle Book, catching poisonous snakes, and hanging outside bars frequented by speed freaks and murderers. However, Harriet adventures slowly begin to resemble a Disney movie in the making. And while the prose is engaging, and the other characters lively, the Southern slow pace might make you droopy, frustrated, and ultimately uninterested.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: Tartt had a great idea here but definitely did not fulfill the promise of the story. There were so many things that could've happened that would have made a satisfying story, but Tartt only drops hints at the most interesting aspects of the characters. For example, why not explore why it is that the family will not speak of Robin's murder, and why it is that it was deemed acceptable for Charlotte to hole up in her bedroom and withdraw from her life and her living children? I also found Harriet and Hely to have few redeeming characteristics, and felt unsatisfied that they almost killed several people, including themselves, and at the end of the story they had still not been held accountable for any of their ridiculous actions. From early on I kept hoping that they would get caught. I think that this book is so dissatisfying because in the end nothing changes. You get the impression that Harriet's messed up life is going to stay exactly the same. She might give up on trying to avenge her brother's murder, but her familt will still be screwed up and she will still be a lonely misfit. And are we supposed to believe that Harriet actually has epilepsy? Does that explain all of her thoughts and behaviors? What a weak ending!! If you want to read a book about an unsolved murder without ever seeing the killer brought to justice, read The Lovely Bones instead. If you want to read "Southern" literature, turn to the experts: Carson McCullers, Eudora Welty, Lee Smith, Terry Kay. Spend less time and read something more satisfying like To kill a Mockingbord, or, for humor, Crazy in Alabama. There are so many better books out there.
Rating:
Summary: Long
Review: I like suspense and I like mystery, and this book had both, but the story never really climaxed. There was so much unneeded description and running around. Only until Harriet went to the tower at the end did it get good and then nothing. I was disappointed. I could write my own ending, but them I would just write my own book.
Rating: 
Summary: Fresh & Fabulous
Review: Waiting for Donna Tartt's second novel was certainly worth it. Once I started The Little Friend, I was totally imersed in the story and couldn't put it down. There's a wonderful sense of place in a small Southern town and characters that stayed with me long after I finished the book. I loved Ida Rhew and Hely especially. There were laugh out loud passages, and I really enjoyed viewing life through the eyes of a precocious little girl which Tartt captured perfectly. A departure from The Secret History, but a very welcome one. I only wish I could know what happened to Harriet after the book ends.
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Summary: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Review: I am absolutely FLABBERGASTED that half the reviews posted here are negative. Doesn't anyone get it? This book is about the journey and not about the ending. There were times when I would put the book down and just marvel about how AMAZING Donna Tartt's writing style is. I'm at a loss to even try and describe it. She it super talented and understands human nature so well. I laughed so hard at some of the passages, especially the ones involving Gum, the redneck grandmother. I was fully invested in this book and thoroughly satisfied with the journey that this book took me on. Like other people have said, sometimes endings aren't so neat and tidy. Just enjoy the ride!!! Donna Tartt is the best!
Rating:
Summary: How could anyone not LOVE this book?
Review: Wow! I made the mistake of reading the customer reviews of this book, and it almost kept me from reading this gem. I liked Secret History quite a bit, but this was 10 times better. Tartt's characters are carefully and thoughtfully drawn (rich and complex), her language is beautiful, the imagery grand, and the plot fast-paced and intriguing. The bizarre action scenes (with snakes a-plenty) kept me on the edge of my seat, and I've never read a more terrifying story of a white trash family, including fascinating and dark descriptions of a druggie's mind, body, and activities. This is an adventure story with a brave 12-year old girl as its heroine. I couldn't put the book down. No, there isn't a tight or happy ending, but this book will haunt you. The great language and characterizations reminded me a bit of White Oleander by Janet Fitch, except that A Little Friend has more dangerous adventures. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the title of the book, but hey, there are worse flaws than a weak title. I recommend this book highly. I hope Tartt writes another book soon!
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Summary: You feel as if you're there
Review: Donna Tartt's Little Friend evokes the flavor of the Mississippi I remember, having been born in the Delta region and retaining contacts with family and friends there over the years. Her characters and settings come alive. As I feel sure others have discovered, the central character of 12-year-old Harriet seems almost a distillation of To Kill A Mockingbird's Jem and Scout as they might have been in the 70's. Although Harriet's family is the epitome of a dysfunctional unit (unlike Jem and Scout's experience with Atticus), there is still the support group around her - with her grandmother, her great-aunts, and Ida Rhew, the maid and mother-substitute - that harkens back to the young Finches'
extended "family." I can forgive Tartt's let-down at the end of the novel because of the totally engrossing picture of family and place painted through the bulk of the story. Any chance of a sequel?
- A transplanted Mississippian in London
Rating: 
Summary: should have been half as long
Review: I was totally enthralled by "The Secret History" and 5 years later read it a second time and still could not put it down. Before reading "The Little Friend" I had seen some of the critical reviews but did not agree with them during the first half of the book. Then about midway, the writing style almost seems to have changed. The book became over-wordy, over-moody and just plain boring in parts. A great shame as I think Donna Tartt is a very, very talented writer. Most of the other reviews restated the plot so I will not do that here. Suffice it to say that a.) I hope it does not take Ms. Tartt so many years to write her next book and, b.) Hope she finds a totally different subject.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as The Secret Hisory, but a good read
Review: I bought this book having loved The Secret History, and I have to say I was disappointed. The reviews on the back were very good, but the story just wasn't as captivating and the characters were much more transparent.
That said, however, it did keep me entertained. The setting is dark and sticky, the characters are beautifully described, even though they are mostly not so beautiful. And the character of Harriet is fascinating. However, I did not, as one reviewer assured me I would, 'fall in love with Harriet.' She was just a little too odd.
If you want an interesting read, and don't mind that the book ends a little diappointingly..in that, it doesn't properly end, this is a good story. However, don't expect another 'The Secret History.'
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