Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite new england college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. Find books like the secret history from the worlds largest community of readers. On the day hes released, hes greeted by the man who put him in prison. Secret history by donna tartt abebooks shop for books. By similar what i mean is a book with elitist characters, collegeuniversity setting, possibly sexually ambiguous characters and a somewhat retro feel.
That is, i could see the merit, but not why it meant so much. Sophie mckenzie, writing for the independent, called it the book of a lifetime, stating that it was perfectly paced and the characters are. Books similar to the secret history by donna tartt. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. 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. 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. 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. Truly deserving of the accolade a modern classic, donna tartts novel is a remarkable achievementboth compelling and elegant, dramatic and playful. A novel by theroux, paul from amazons fiction books store. In the secret, she explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, and offers the knowledge of how to create intentionally and effortlessly a joyful life. The book is liberally scattered with wise sayings in latin and greek genuine fragments of antiquity that are as often mysterious as they are.
In it, the narrator, richard papen, says that he thinks his fatal flaw is a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs. The brat pack meets the bacchae in this precious, waytoolong, and utterly unsuspenseful townandgown murder tale. 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. The secret history, donna tartts highly publicized first novel, is a most unusual murder mystery, since the primary murder and its perpetrators are identified on the first page. The secret history by bclarkgreene see profile 112217 reading this book for the third time just convinced me that it is still my favorite donna tartt novel. If you liked the secret history by donna tartt i make no secret of the fact that i absolutely adored this book.
Seven pillars of wisdom released by archaia on april 1, 2010. The secret history by donna tartt is an intricate glimpse into the lives of six students at hampden college in vermont and the impressions of one of those students who arrives midway through the relationships of the others. Smith is alfred cowles professor of political science at yale university. 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 the secret history is an inverted detective story narrated by one of the students. When richard papen joins an elite group of clever misfits at his new england college, it seems he can finally become. Cathy cassidys top 10 books with secrets childrens. If you can relate to these words, chances are youll love the secret history.
Shipping may be from multiple locations in the us or from the uk, depending on stock availability. Donna tartts the secret history is the original american campus novel. Here are 10 popular history books that will change your view of reality. Donna tartts secret history is the book i always recommed the cut. I recently finished the goldfinch and read secret history for the second time. Secret history by levy joel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Free delivery worldwide on over 20 million books we use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Sadly, by its nature, the secret history isnt the kind of book thats getting a sequel any time soon, but there are other books that might scratch. He has long argued that intelligence is the missing dimension from history. Or, on another note, books to get me into classics.
So irresistible and seductive its almost a guilty pleasure guardian donna tartt is an amazingly good writer. I dont read very much fiction, so its been a while since ive been so gripped by a novel in the way that only fiction books can really do. At once sprawling and intimate, a secret history of witches deftly captures the greatest magic of all. Christopher andrews history of spying shows how undercover. It starts with 18 books to read if you loved the secret history. Are there any other books, or films or television shows for that matter, that are like the secret history. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. A number of exceptional men and women discovered the secret, and went on to become known as the greatest people who ever lived. Whenever someone asks me to recommend a book, i always start with the same question. Philip of macedon, interior illustration from a little history of the world by e.
The secret history is the first novel by donna tartt, published by alfred a. This book series was supposed to be a trilogy, but due to the great popularity of the books simon r. I just finished rereading donna tartts novel the secret history and now have a craving for something quite similar. Richard papen arrived at hampden college in new england and was quickly seduced by an elite group of five students, all greek scholars, all worldly, selfassured, and, at first glance, all highly unapproachable. The secret history of the world graham hancock official website. Six students in their first year at oxford university quickly become best friends and begin to play a game of dare or consequences, which starts off as harmless fun but escalates until one of them is dead. I just finished the secret history by donna tartt last night and i can safely say that it is now my favorite book. The first paragraph of the secret history roughly sums up the mood of the book. This one might seem obvious, but if you like tartts writing, why would you not try some more. Some of these are the best book club books from my own book clubs over the years and others are ones i wish my book club had read. Apr 22, 2020 book depository is the worlds most international online bookstore offering over 20 million books with free delivery worldwide. Secret history is a fantasyscience fiction series by simon r. Affirming spinozas centrality for both critics and defenders of modernity, the book will be of value to students of political theory, philosophy, and intellectual history.
Containing the true reasons of the necessity of the revolution that lately happend in the kingdom of albigion. Nov 05, 20 the secret history in high school, this time from the author behind the lemony snicket books, and offering up the same sharp sense of fatalistic humor and an even darker edge. The secret history of queen zarah and the zarahians. Morgans transportive words will sweep you away to a time of magic, love, and loss. As richard is drawn into their inner circle, he learns a terrifying secret that binds them to one another. If not, youll probably wonder what the fuss is all about. I had a different perspective on the book as i read it for the second time for a book club. Christopher andrew, emeritus professor of modern and contemporary history at cambridge, is the doyen of intelligence historians. Had the book not been so thoroughly sourced it would be hard to believe that the massive coverup of details concerning the assassination could have taken place. If youve got a basic level of understanding and comprehension, these novels arent going to be a problem. Oliver marks has just served ten years in jail for a murder he may or may not have committed. This list of book club books has nonfiction, chicklit, young adult and middle grade titles, history books and parenting books. Goodreads members who liked the secret history also liked. Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor.
Told in flashback, this novel unpacks what really happened among a group of ultrapopular elites the titular basic eight at an exclusive boarding school that, a year. The secret history of the world, by jonathan black, published in paperback by quercus books, london, 2008, is available from all good bookshops and from. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. The secret history by donna tartt reading guidebook club. Ten reasons why we love donna tartts the secret history donna. 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. Today im discussing ten books that bear at least some resemblance to donna tartts wellloved book, the secret history. If you like the secret history you might like similar books never let me go, a little life, the little friend, a visit from the goon squad, the blind assassin. Cathy cassidys top 10 books with secrets the chocolate box girls author reveals her favourite books with a sneaky secret. Then you start reading the 18 books to read if you liked reading each of those 18 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. I usually had no idea what the characters were referring to, haha.
This book was published in 1992, but harks back to a time more reminiscent of the early 1900s in style. Secret history is a fantasy science fiction series by simon r. Biscuit picture books by alyssa satin capucilli ar levels 1. Our book club tackles the first half of donna tartts the secret history. This book reads like a great spy novel made all the more compelling because the events that took place were real and pivotal to the history of our country. The secret history is a wonderfully beguiling book, a journey backward to the fierce and heady friendships of our school days, when all of us believed in our.
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