Less of a whodunnit and more of a whydunnit, donna tartt s the secret history is an incredibly detail orientated and well written novel that trails richard papen and his small, cult like circle of classmates through the exploration of the classics, attraction, friendship and admiration, addiction, money, and murder. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Johansson is the author of the night walkers series insomnia, paranoia and mania as well as standalone novels, cut me free and the row. The setting is alexandria, mississippi, where one mothers day a little boy named robin cleve dufresnes. A bunch of eversomandarin college kids in a small vermont school are the eager epigones of an aloof classics professor, and in their exclusivity and snobbishness and eagerness to please their teacher, they are moved to try to enact dionysian frenzies in the woods. I heard a lot of praise for this book, so i was looking forwards to reading it, but i was disappointed.
Books similar to the secret history by donna tartt. The brat pack meets the bacchae in this precious, waytoolong, and utterly unsuspenseful townandgown murder tale. The secret history has been my favorite book for the past 7 years. Sep 01, 2004 the secret history has been my favorite book for the past 7 years. I am creating this so that we may discuss donna tartt s the secret history. Listen to the audiobook the secret history, by donna tartt on. Why are literary critics dismayed by donna tartts the. At the age of nineteen, richard papen goes to hampden college in vermont, primarily to get away from his parents and his. The female voice made me picture the characters to look like fat harry potters rather. Less of a whodunnit and more of a whydunnit, donna tartt s the secret history is an incredibly detail orientated and well written novel that trails richard papen and his small, cult like circle. Tartt s title is a cracker, not least because it is true to the appeal of the book. Im still in the world and theres not another book i feel like i can start immediately. Audiobooks presents donna tartts cult thriller the secret history.
This list of books like the secret history is sponsored by flatiron books and m. The secret history beckoned us to dip our toes in the shallows of an ocean of ancient greek. I challenge anyone to start this book and not go to bed thinking about it. Penguin audiobooks presents donna tartts cult thriller the secret history, complete, unabridged, and read by the author. Apr, 2004 i do not generally like books that are overly descriptive and feature more pretentious prose, in fact i detest classical literature, yet the description and classical language, is what gives the secret history its charm. Tartt s the secret history is an engaging work of art.
My introduction to donna tartt was a secret history a beautifully crafted novel of friendship and secrets which i devoured in mere hours. I then bought the little friend still havent finished it. The secret history by tartt, donna and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. In the 20 years since the publication of donna tartt s the secret history, following the obsessive, incestuous friendship of a small group of classics students at an elite new england college, the book has attracted a cultlike following of its own. Like its narrator, richard, who longs to be a part. Listen online to the secret history in this brilliant novel, pulitzer prizewinning author donna tartt gives us a richly textured and hypnotic story of golden. Jun 11, 2014 from the beginning, tartts work confused critics. Dec 17, 2017 what makes this list of books like the secret history by donna tartt. Ten reasons why we love donna tartt s the secret history it starts with a murder, is obsessed with ancient greece and creates the delicious illusion of being admitted to the most. This book was published in 1992, but harks back to a time more reminiscent of the early 1900s in style. Jan 11, 2008 i had a flirtation with the secret history before i ever read it.
What other book might you compare the secret history to and why. We, like richard, are being given membership of a select group. At the age of nineteen, richard papen goes to hampden college in vermont, primarily to get away from his parents. Try the secret history by donna tartt 1992 of tartt s two other novels, the secret history is probably the closest to goldfinch. The secret history audiobook free the secret history audiobook download the secret. Listen to the secret history by donna tartt available from rakuten kobo. Author donna tartt shares her novel, the secret history, and talks about her inspirations and what makes a good writer. Donna tartt was born in greenwood, mississippi, and is a graduate of bennington college. The secret history tells the story of a group of classics students at an elite american college, who are cerebral, obsessive and finally murderous.
Like the goldfinch, i expect to reread this at some point. Goodreads members who liked the secret history also liked. First published in 1992, the book became an instant bestseller. Donna tartt s next book the little friend has some similarities, but it is also very different in other ways. The first book by donna tartt who would go on to write the little friend and the goldfinch, the secret history follows a group of wealthy students at a liberalarts college in 1980s vermont, who study ancient greek under the tutelage of a classics professor named julian morrow, an enigmatic eccentric who begins his classes with lines like. The secret history by donna tartt was the beginning of my obsession with school stories. Net login register for bookmarks and favorites menu login.
Listen online to the secret history in this brilliant novel, pulitzer prize winning author donna tartt gives us a richly textured and hypnotic story of golden. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Jun, 2016 donna tartt s first book found immediate success, and now each of her books are met with incredible anticipation. Donna tartt won the 2014 pulitzer prize for her most recent novel. From the pulitzer prizewinning author of the goldfinch audiobook by donna tartt. Donna tartts secret history is the book i always recommed. This one might seem obvious, but if you like tartts writing, why would you not try some more. This wishlist is getting longer, but a final nicetohave. She was born in greenwood, mississippi, and is a graduate of bennington college. That was the secret history for me, and thats why i brought myself to finish it despite not enjoying it much. The little friend, by donna tartt, is published by bloomsbury on october 28, priced. The slow, methodical way in which she narrates is perfect for this novel. Nov 05, 20 in the 20 years since the publication of donna tartt s the secret history, following the obsessive, incestuous friendship of a small group of classics students at an elite new england college, the book has attracted a cultlike following of its own. Donna tartt is an american writer who received critical acclaim for her first two novels, the secret history and the little friend, which have been translated into thirty languages.
Just finished the secret history by donna tartt man, i didnt realize how absorbed i was in this book until i finished it. An audio extract from donna tartt s cult thriller the secret history, complete, unabridged, and read by the author. I just finished rereading donna tartt s novel the secret history and now have a craving for something quite similar. Review the secret history, by donna tartt jenna bookish. Do you have these books that you feel like you should like, but you just dont.
A month or so ago i finished listening to donna tartts the goldfinch. That is, i could see the merit, but not why it meant so much. Id seen all the press that the book and its enigmatic author received and knew that this was the one for me. If you loved donna tartts the goldfinch, check out.
When the secret history, about an erudite group of classics majors who turn to murder at a small new england college, was published, in 1992. Penguin audiobooks presents donna tartts cult thriller the secret history, unabridged, downloadable and read by the author herself. Authors similar to donna tartt goodreads share book. Told in hindsight, the story jumps around a lot in a teasing sort of way. It goes without saying that it will be wellwritten. Her books have been published in over a dozen languages. It is so creepy and odd, and so much like a train wreck from which i couldnt look away. The secret history 9780449911518 by tartt, donna and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. I recently finished the goldfinch and read secret history for the second time. Significant quotes in donna tartt s the secret history with explanations.
Her male characters are completely believable as she writes them but as a female narrator, it just doesnt work as well as it could. The secret history truly deserving of the accolade a modern classic, donna tartt s novel is a remarkable achievement, both compelling and elegant, dramatic and playful. The secret history audiobook free download the secret history. It warmly invited the reader to feel as educated as the classical scholars it depicted. Donna tartt the secret history free pdf ebooks downloads. Find books like the secret history from the worlds largest community of readers. If you loved donna tartt s the goldfinch, check out these books. Oct 22, 2002 listen to little friend audiobook by donna tartt. The novel deals a lot with beauty, a very elusive concept, and i was wanting to know what other people thought about the novel. The second novel by donna tartt, bestselling author of the goldfinch winner of the 2014 pulitzer prize, the little friend is a grandly ambitious and utterly riveting novel of childhood, innocence, and evil.
Donna tartt reads the secret history herself on the audiobook. Oct 18, 2002 its about unexpected surprises happening when youre looking the other way. To immerse myself in this book was like living in rarified air, so rich, so deep with history, so exclusive, so unlike my own life. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook. Books to read if you loved the goldfinch penguin random house. Why i hated the secret history by donna tartt and why talking about it made me change my mind. The secret history book by donna tartt thriftbooks. Download and keep this book for free with a 30 day trial.
When a group of elite college thespians perform shakespeares julius caesar, life starts to imitate art when the lead actor ends up dead. Mar 12, 2020 the secret history by donna tartt was the beginning of my obsession with school stories. Set in new england, it tells the story of a closely knit group of six classics students at hampden college, a small, elite vermont college based upon bennington college, where tartt was a student between 1982 and 1986. Set in new england, it tells the story of a closely knit group of six classics students at hampden college, a small, elite vermont college based upon bennington college, where tartt. Ive read the secret history as a book and was doubtful about having the author doing the narration. A misfit at an exclusive new england college, richard finds kindred spirits in the five eccentric students of his ancient greek class. The setting is alexandria, mississippi, where one mothers day a little boy named robin cleve dufresnes was found hanging from a tree in his parents yard. Im about to start rereading the little friend next which is her second novel and is my personal favorite although it didnt do as well critically. Donna tartt reads the opening to her campusset murder mystery novel the secret history. However i did not enjoy the voice of donna in this audiobook.
If you liked the secret history by donna tartt i make no secret of the fact that i absolutely adored this book. The little friend by donna tartt audiobook full 22 youtube. Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a creative commons. Donna tartt, winner of the 2014 pulitzer prize for her most recent novel, the goldfinch, established herself as a major talent with the secret history, which has become a contemporary classic. She is the author of the novels the secret history and the little friend, which have been translated into thirty languages, and the goldfinch. The secret history by donna tartt book club discussion. A bunch of eversomandarin college kids in a small vermont school are the eager. It is more uneven than the secret history and, at times, it does seem over written but there are moments and characters that are truly unforgettable. From the pulitzer prizewinning author of the goldfinch book online at best prices in india on.
Tartt is the perfect narrator for her own work, and she doesnt overdo the voices. The secret history is the first novel by american author, donna tartt. I liked this audiobook much more than i expected to in fact i just finished listening to it a second time. Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever.
Tartt was the 2003 winner of the wh smith literary award for the little friend. Ten reasons why we love donna tartts the secret history. In the evocative tradition of donna tartts first novel, the secret history, comes this accomplished debut of youthful innocence drowned by dark sins. Nov 09, 2016 author donna tartt shares her novel, the secret history, and talks about her inspirations and what makes a good writer. The goldfinch her novelsl the secret history and the little friend were also international bestsellers. I am intrigued by the narrator, richard papen, and how he views the world. Like its narrator, richard, who longs to be a part of the secretive group, readers are enraptured by the seductive delights of tartt. Any novel you could describe as like the secret history and get away with it needs to be a psychological thriller featuring a crime, death or secret, for a start. Like its narrator, richard, who longs to be a part of the secretive group, readers are enraptured by the.
A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Only, like surgery and haircuts, audio narration really is best left to the professionals. I had a flirtation with the secret history before i ever read it. The secret history is the first novel by donna tartt, published by alfred a. The secret history audio cd audiobook, cd, unabridged. Like its narrator, richard, who longs to be a part of the secretive group, readers are enraptured by the seductive delights of tartt s prose, which pulls you deep into a twisted world of emotional manipulation and addiction. In the secret history, richard unravels his memories of his early years in college when he was taken under the wing of an influential classics professor and welcomed into an exclusive clique of like. Ive found myself in this situation never quite as dire as my utter turnabout with the secret history quite a few times now, usually with books i just didnt get. Bestselling author donna tartt returns with a grandly ambitious and utterly riveting novel of childhood, innocence and evil. The secret history audiobook by donna tartt 9780060786472. I do not generally like books that are overly descriptive and feature more pretentious prose, in fact i detest classical literature, yet the description and classical. I am quite encouraged to run right out and seize one of her books. A list of 8 fascinating and mesmerizing books like the secret history you should read if you are a big fan of donna tartt and want to read.