I really need to reread The Secret History. I read it years ago and found it a perfectly alright book, but I didn't really get what all the hubbub is about with it. But given its perennial influence and the aesthetic which it seems to have promulgated, I think I ought to give it another go sometime.
Yes!!! 🙌🏻 so excited to hear your thoughts on The Secret History! I just picked it up again this past week. You’re right; the book is such a vibe! Donna Tartt’s writing is so hauntingly beautiful.
I wasn't going to read this book, but you're actually making me want to read it. I do believe in Divine Mania. I don't know if you've ever seen an old film called, The Craft, with Neve Cambell amongst others. It's about 4 girls who want to be witches, but they don't actually know what they're asking for. At one point they do find power but it's too much and they want to stop it. The woman who owns the store where they buy their magik goodies says one of the wisest lines I've ever heard, "You can't stop it. Once you start something, the energy has got to play out." It really makes one think about the consequences of our not just actions but desires. Well done Alana. I'll be picking it up soon. Thanks for the review.
@@alanaestelle2076 I'm sure you've heard of The Craft. It was a huge success. It got Robin T. to get noticed. She played in The Mentalist later. But, the movie is actually really smart, not just entertaining. It really makes you think about getting exactly what you asked for. This has happened to me so many times. I'd get an amazing opportunity. Everyone would be like "You're so lucky. How did you do that?" Only for me to discover that I was not lucky; I was either always anxious, or bored with the job. Boredom is actually awful if it's an everyday thing. So, I had to accept (like the two witches at the end) I am not meant for certain things, for certain power. I wrote you a novel again but my point is....Humility goes a long way. It can lead to true happiness; if we are willing and ready to accept our limits. I recently saw a book called Happiness as serious business. It totally threw me off because I always thought happiness is just a byproduct, not the goal. I was wrong.
I finished it the other day and really enjoyed it. The end was slightly flat but otherwise full marks. Some beautiful writing going on. Im still curious as to what bit Francis during the Dionysus ritual. Was it one of the others ? Then again, much was made about the bite mark being unlike that of a human. 🤔 Oh, and I loathed Bunny as soon as he appeared
Have you read the Octavia E Butler books Parable Of The Sower and Parable Of The Talents ??? If not, may I recommend them ? Absolutely amazing books, both of them. Very powerful and dystopian but very human. Some of the best writing I’ve ever come across. Not a single word is wasted. Trigger warning maybe - some of it is very raw. The world the books take place in is one of the grimmest worlds Ive come across in literature. Butler does NOT hold back. I can tell you recognise good writing so, unless you already know these books. I can’t recommend them enough Merry Christmas 🎄 😊
I grew up in Texas but was never a football fan. I moved to Amsterdam six years ago, and my neighbors across the road had a projection TV where they would watch American football, and in that first year I'd find myself gazing lovingly, tearfully out the window at those games. If only I could have heard the music, too! 🤣 I love The Secret History, but I don't love that it's been so closely aligned with the dark academia trend.
The stars aligned. Yesterday I was hearing the audio sample for The Secret History and I'm obsessed with the premise. And you uploaded this today!! Do you suggest hardback or paperback? I like hardbacks when i know the story is going to be special to me but i like paperbacks when im going to annotate and study it viciously.
As always, great review Alana! I would love to know if Donna Tartt has a book coming out soon. We are long overdue for one but I haven’t heard anything . I know she writes a novel every 10 years but it’s been almost 12 since The Goldfinch. I’m anxiously waiting.
I'd heard of The Secret History but I didn't know anything about it. I'm not sure it's for me, at least right now. I don't know anything about Greek or Roman history or philosophy. I feel like I'd need to study before reading it.
Hi TTR, Donna Tartt is always a great read and The Secret History is no exception. Plenty to enjoy in it even if your Latin is rusty and you're not into Plutarch and his Noble Greeks and Romans. ENJOY!
Read this for the first time this year. Really enjoyed it. I thought Tartt did a great job of building up all of the characters into a point where murder was the only option they could see. A minor criticism I had was there were several instances where the other characters referenced events that Richard was around for but didn’t see the whole picture, I feel that they would have worked better with done foreshadowing seeing Richard’s perspective at the time and then revisiting it later in the narrative. But that’s a very minor criticism for a thoroughly enjoyable book. Great review as always
That is an interesting point! That's why I know i need to reread it at some point because it's such an odd story at times. But odd in a good way haha. Thanks for watching!
I haven’t read it, but have heard good and bad, or rather, good or bad. It makes sense that this would inspire the “dark academia” trend - I wondered about the origins of that term or genre, and now I have a better idea.
The Secret History is one of the greatest American novels of the century, What I love about it is that it combines a “literary” novel with a gripping suspense story and manages to do justice to both;⚛️❤
Excellent review. I wake up on Sunday mornings with the "Are you ready for some footballlll" song on replay in my head. They are definitely bangers and Hockey, in my opinion, is the best sport to see live.
Alana, I’m going to be honest. The Secret History intimidates me. But when you said “if you’re a fan of that Academic, New England, University setting…” I’m drooling. 😍 I’m scared of the dark feel I heard it has but I am thirsty for anything with academic aesthetics. So, I guess I’m torn about whether this book is for me or not?
Loved it. I also loved The Goldfinch. No one does an unreliable narrator like Donna Tartt. My only complaint is that we've been waiting so long for a new Tartt novel. Greek and Roman mythology is a really good background to have in mind for so many books.
Omg fights, alfalfa, Pokémon 🤣🤣🤣. I read it and I think it’s great, like no notes for the author it’s just not my favorite kind of story. I actually liked the Goldfinch more!
Okay, I work near the Bell Centre and can tell when the Montréal Canadians are in town. You are invited to see a hockey game with me whenever you want.
I hated it. It was very metaphysical and played with genres. All that is fine, but I was so bored. Also I don't think Tartt knows how to write men, at least in this book, they didn't behave, talk, or think like dudes. Specially bros in college. SPECIALLY like men in Greek plays. I don't know about the ladies, I just found everyone annoying. I didn't like Babel either, and I didn't try other dark academia novels. Chikorita is my favorite pokémon 🌱
They weren’t meant to sound like typical frat boys, though. They weren’t meant to sound normal. They were meant to sound like bored, played out aristocrats who had never been around actual aristocracy so it comes off wrong. They were meant to be pretentious snobs who think they’re better than anyone /anything else. They were meant to be effete, and they were. Frat boys (aka typical college dudes) can be fun and likable and popular. All of these characters were meant to be icky and off-putting, unless you were attracted to fakeness and the illusion of superiority, which Richard was. I think she captured the type of man (and they do exist in real life) she was writing very well. However, I fully understand your not liking either this or Babel. I loved TSH but haven’t read Babel yet. Also, if you don’t like these two, never let someone give you If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. It’s basically TSH but with everyone quoting Shakespeare constantly.😂
@@leopercara3477 Totally fair. I haven’t read any of Ellis’ work. They ran in the same set though, if I remember correctly. Were Ellis’ males of that type more masculine? (Genuine question, as I really don’t know.)
The way you knocked that book on the ground. “girl, bye.” Had me rollin’ 🤣
@@robinkirk1821 BYE 🗣️🤣
I really need to reread The Secret History. I read it years ago and found it a perfectly alright book, but I didn't really get what all the hubbub is about with it. But given its perennial influence and the aesthetic which it seems to have promulgated, I think I ought to give it another go sometime.
@@TH3F4LC0Nx it’s definitely an aesthetic haha
Yes!!! 🙌🏻 so excited to hear your thoughts on The Secret History! I just picked it up again this past week. You’re right; the book is such a vibe! Donna Tartt’s writing is so hauntingly beautiful.
@@alisaroz51732 Patiently waiting for Tarttt to grace us with the next one. 🤣
I wasn't going to read this book, but you're actually making me want to read it. I do believe in Divine Mania. I don't know if you've ever seen an old film called, The Craft, with Neve Cambell amongst others. It's about 4 girls who want to be witches, but they don't actually know what they're asking for. At one point they do find power but it's too much and they want to stop it. The woman who owns the store where they buy their magik goodies says one of the wisest lines I've ever heard, "You can't stop it. Once you start something, the energy has got to play out." It really makes one think about the consequences of our not just actions but desires. Well done Alana. I'll be picking it up soon. Thanks for the review.
I feeeeeeel like I've heard of The Craft. Thanks for watching, as always :)
@@alanaestelle2076 I'm sure you've heard of The Craft. It was a huge success. It got Robin T. to get noticed. She played in The Mentalist later. But, the movie is actually really smart, not just entertaining. It really makes you think about getting exactly what you asked for. This has happened to me so many times. I'd get an amazing opportunity. Everyone would be like "You're so lucky. How did you do that?" Only for me to discover that I was not lucky; I was either always anxious, or bored with the job. Boredom is actually awful if it's an everyday thing. So, I had to accept (like the two witches at the end) I am not meant for certain things, for certain power. I wrote you a novel again but my point is....Humility goes a long way. It can lead to true happiness; if we are willing and ready to accept our limits. I recently saw a book called Happiness as serious business. It totally threw me off because I always thought happiness is just a byproduct, not the goal. I was wrong.
I finished it the other day and really enjoyed it. The end was slightly flat but otherwise full marks. Some beautiful writing going on.
Im still curious as to what bit Francis during the Dionysus ritual. Was it one of the others ? Then again, much was made about the bite mark being unlike that of a human. 🤔
Oh, and I loathed Bunny as soon as he appeared
I really need to reread this one so I can hone in on some finer points. LOL Bunny was obnoxious, bless his heart haha
Have you read the Octavia E Butler books Parable Of The Sower and Parable Of The Talents ??? If not, may I recommend them ? Absolutely amazing books, both of them. Very powerful and dystopian but very human. Some of the best writing I’ve ever come across. Not a single word is wasted.
Trigger warning maybe - some of it is very raw. The world the books take place in is one of the grimmest worlds Ive come across in literature. Butler does NOT hold back. I can tell you recognise good writing so, unless you already know these books. I can’t recommend them enough
Merry Christmas 🎄 😊
I grew up in Texas but was never a football fan. I moved to Amsterdam six years ago, and my neighbors across the road had a projection TV where they would watch American football, and in that first year I'd find myself gazing lovingly, tearfully out the window at those games. If only I could have heard the music, too! 🤣 I love The Secret History, but I don't love that it's been so closely aligned with the dark academia trend.
OMG I love it! LOL Yeaaa the dark academia trend has morphed into ... something haha
“Sit and stare at a wall and process some stuff.” 😂 Yes! I get that! Same girl!
@@robinkirk1821 🤣🤣listen. Sometimes you just gotta stare into space to get your mind right
@@alanaestelle2076 🤣😂😂
I love the perspective of the students being actors in their own tragedies. So true.
@@kerncarter thank you! The epitome of taking an aesthetic too seriously lol
The stars aligned. Yesterday I was hearing the audio sample for The Secret History and I'm obsessed with the premise. And you uploaded this today!! Do you suggest hardback or paperback? I like hardbacks when i know the story is going to be special to me but i like paperbacks when im going to annotate and study it viciously.
@@willynick perfect timing :) I mainly read from paperbacks because I have tiny hands and hardbacks are just so … big lol
As always, great review Alana! I would love to know if Donna Tartt has a book coming out soon. We are long overdue for one but I haven’t heard anything . I know she writes a novel every 10 years but it’s been almost 12 since The Goldfinch. I’m anxiously waiting.
Thank you!! :) And that's what I wanna know! We're overdue!
I'd heard of The Secret History but I didn't know anything about it. I'm not sure it's for me, at least right now. I don't know anything about Greek or Roman history or philosophy. I feel like I'd need to study before reading it.
It's definitely one of those books that you have to read when the urge hits!
Hi TTR, Donna Tartt is always a great read and The Secret History is no exception. Plenty to enjoy in it even if your Latin is rusty and you're not into Plutarch and his Noble Greeks and Romans. ENJOY!
Read this for the first time this year. Really enjoyed it. I thought Tartt did a great job of building up all of the characters into a point where murder was the only option they could see.
A minor criticism I had was there were several instances where the other characters referenced events that Richard was around for but didn’t see the whole picture, I feel that they would have worked better with done foreshadowing seeing Richard’s perspective at the time and then revisiting it later in the narrative. But that’s a very minor criticism for a thoroughly enjoyable book.
Great review as always
That is an interesting point! That's why I know i need to reread it at some point because it's such an odd story at times. But odd in a good way haha. Thanks for watching!
I haven’t read it, but have heard good and bad, or rather, good or bad. It makes sense that this would inspire the “dark academia” trend - I wondered about the origins of that term or genre, and now I have a better idea.
TSH was a fantastic novel!! Your review is spot on. Donna Tartt’s writing is amazing and I cannot wait for her next release.
@@taravincent9699 I hope she relseases one soon. It’s been a decade 🤣
The Secret History is one of the greatest American novels of the century, What I love about it is that it combines a “literary” novel with a gripping suspense story and manages to do justice to both;⚛️❤
Yes, I read it and love it with all of my heart. This was a fun review to watch. I just plain like hearing what you think about books.
This is a fun book! Thank you! :)
the Bacchanal scene was life changing
@@anamoralsb can’t remember that scene 😫
Excellent review. I wake up on Sunday mornings with the "Are you ready for some footballlll" song on replay in my head. They are definitely bangers and Hockey, in my opinion, is the best sport to see live.
LOL! Yea I gotta go see some teether get knocked out ...
I read this in my twenties. Loved the book and I had no previous experience learning about ancient Greece or Rome.
It's a fun one :)
Alana, I’m going to be honest. The Secret History intimidates me. But when you said “if you’re a fan of that Academic, New England, University setting…” I’m drooling. 😍 I’m scared of the dark feel I heard it has but I am thirsty for anything with academic aesthetics. So, I guess I’m torn about whether this book is for me or not?
@@robinkirk1821 its not dark as in scary because I don’t do scary 😮💨
Love you reviews and you always make me laugh. Enjoy your next read and have a great day and week ahead.
@@bobbeduran9277 thank you! I’m glad they make you laugh :)
have you read the bell jar? i’d love to hear your thoughts.
@@gabriellehowie5791 read it a while ago, before I had a channel! Perhaps I could do a review on it!
Loved it. I also loved The Goldfinch. No one does an unreliable narrator like Donna Tartt. My only complaint is that we've been waiting so long for a new Tartt novel. Greek and Roman mythology is a really good background to have in mind for so many books.
RIGHT!? When is she gonna grace us with a new book!?
Just bought this book. Gonna come back to the vid when i finish it
@@drainel9707 🙌🏼
The Pokemon theme song still has a hold on me too. 🤣🤣
It's ICONIC!!!!😂
Just finished reading because of your video. Good read.
Thank you!
TSH is my favorite book. it inspired me to write my first novel. no one does it like ms. tartt
@@bookishbianca that’s amazing! :)
Omg fights, alfalfa, Pokémon 🤣🤣🤣. I read it and I think it’s great, like no notes for the author it’s just not my favorite kind of story. I actually liked the Goldfinch more!
LOOOOL😂 I still need to read her second novel - it's been sitting on my shelf for ages.
You looked so happy about The Secret History I had to click and watch lol
@@NerdyNurseReads 🤣🤣🤣
0:39 oh girl same 😂 and watching sports is just beyond a hobby for me nowadays.
It gets the blood flowing LOL
So excited for this! Thanks for reviewing. *Drama*😂
*jazz hands* LOL
Yes Alana!!! Premier League!!!!!
@@davidbucci973 yaaaas ⚽️
Thank you Alana!
Good review.
Thank you!
Okay, I work near the Bell Centre and can tell when the Montréal Canadians are in town. You are invited to see a hockey game with me whenever you want.
😅
😊
@@SheanaJo 😊
I was expecting you to hate it based on your expression in the still 😸😆 but your view was very balanced 👍
LOL!! Thank you! :)
Can I show up just to simp?🥺🙏
um ... sure lol😅
I can't watch this video. The tilted angle is making me nauseous.
i gave up trying to make it straight LOL
I hated it. It was very metaphysical and played with genres. All that is fine, but I was so bored. Also I don't think Tartt knows how to write men, at least in this book, they didn't behave, talk, or think like dudes. Specially bros in college. SPECIALLY like men in Greek plays. I don't know about the ladies, I just found everyone annoying.
I didn't like Babel either, and I didn't try other dark academia novels.
Chikorita is my favorite pokémon 🌱
They weren’t meant to sound like typical frat boys, though. They weren’t meant to sound normal. They were meant to sound like bored, played out aristocrats who had never been around actual aristocracy so it comes off wrong. They were meant to be pretentious snobs who think they’re better than anyone /anything else. They were meant to be effete, and they were. Frat boys (aka typical college dudes) can be fun and likable and popular. All of these characters were meant to be icky and off-putting, unless you were attracted to fakeness and the illusion of superiority, which Richard was. I think she captured the type of man (and they do exist in real life) she was writing very well. However, I fully understand your not liking either this or Babel. I loved TSH but haven’t read Babel yet. Also, if you don’t like these two, never let someone give you If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio. It’s basically TSH but with everyone quoting Shakespeare constantly.😂
@@Tinahgirl83 Easton Ellis does the same thing with his characters, but I like it in a couple of his novels.
@@leopercara3477 Totally fair. I haven’t read any of Ellis’ work. They ran in the same set though, if I remember correctly. Were Ellis’ males of that type more masculine? (Genuine question, as I really don’t know.)
@@Tinahgirl83 Yeah, they behave like dudes. They're absolute c*nts aswell, though.
@@Tinahgirl83 Some of them are.