The Secret History

This book is wonderfully written, in many instances I was shocked by the level of detail and carefully crafted sentences. The story unravels in such a way that I had no choice but to echo the sentiments of the main character throughout, despite in hindsight realising just how depraved and fake each one of the characters were. Although the plot is important too, I believe this book really stands out as a close study of different character types, what their motives might be, and how they interact.

Oh well. I tried.

This insufferably smug “modern classic” tells of a group of tiresome classics students at a liberal arts college sometime in the 1980s who, during an attempt to recreate a Bacchanal, murder a farmer.

None of them, except the one not involved, seem to be particularly bothered by this act. They are more concerned that the other student will expose them.

Told through the eyes of Richard, a student from a poorer Californian background, this interminable slog of a novel defeated me at about a third of the way through. An endless, smug series of conversations about nothing leading to a second murder, that of their fellow student (not a spoiler as this is revealed at the start). The characters are thin, barely developed and utterly unlikeable.

I just didn't care about the story, the people, the situation or how it was going to play out. I am amazed at some of the five star reviews for this. Seriously?

Do yourself a favour - don't.

An amazing book! Great characters, great story, long but not slow. Beautifully written. Incredibly intelligent.