A Glimpse into a Modern Classic“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt: A Literary Landmark of Our Time
- Catalina Cirnatu
- Apr 18
- 3 min read
What happens when the secrets you conceal become impossible to bear? The Greek class of Hampden College in Vermont has a confession to make: they have just murdered someone. That someone happens to be one of them. Six students apply for the course, and only five get to graduate. Donna Tartt’s debut novel, “The Secret History”, is a thriller at heart, a highly effective psychological thriller, whose engrossing, suspenseful action unveils steadily throughout 650 pages of skillfully built, best-selling, publicly acclaimed prose. The tension in the novel is provided by the gradual revelation of the threads and links in the weave of relationships between the central characters rather than by uncertainty, as the murder that catalyzes the book is described in the prologue.
In the early 80s, Richard Papen discovered he was not particularly fond of medicine and decided to change his academic trajectory. He is beyond astonished to find out that he has been admitted to Hampden College despite his financially unfortunate situation. He leaves home with no intention of returning, even long after graduation. At Hampden College, he delves into English literature, French grammar, and whichever subject he yields for. The only missing piece is the Greek class, which he had previously excelled at. Richard pleads for a seat in Julian Morrow’s Greek class, and the eccentric professor eventually accepts. Richard’s new colleagues are an odd, conspicuous group of wealthy students he initially regards as peculiar mythological creatures. Gradually, their icy relationship begins to thaw, and Richard is successfully integrated among them, only to discover that he has been left out quite a lot. What Richard is being asked to do next could ruin his entire future.
The novel explores themes such as secrecy, superficiality, and the inescapable consequences of our actions. The five students delve into the philosophy of Ancient Greek, unbeknownst to Richard, unprepared to face the implications that would follow. They go above and beyond to cover the traces of their mistake, even if it would mean ironically repeating it and leaving behind even more casualties. What ultimately determines them to backstab a colleague is his fatal inability to conceal secrets.
One might complain about the lengthiness of the novel. Nonetheless, it is exactly the aspect that provides verisimilitude, enabling the reader to sympathize with the characters and understand their decisions. The writer seems to assume each character an identity and build for each of them a unique personality and an outstanding backstory. Additionally, throughout the novel, one can admire the skillfulness of Tartt’s prose and her otherworldly use of language, which have earned her a household name in contemporary literature.
What struck me as a highly original aspect was that stereotypical themes usually prevalent in young adult literature, such as college life, parties, and never-ending dramas, serve as a mere backdrop this time. Donna Tartt buried the essence of the novel in tangled strings of action. This way, each individual may uncover meanings that resonate with himself, adding depth to the lecture.
To my mind, the ending, although controversial, emphasizes once again the theme, the futility of attempting to escape the implications of our actions. The students are, under no circumstances, left unpunished for having committed such a crime. They may have escaped conventional justice and imprisonment. Still, the guilt catches up with them, degrading their minds and personalities and pushing them toward hatred, paranoia, alcoholism, suicide, and further attempts to murder. It is the ultimate correction that the universe applies to them for their wicked, villainous deeds.
All in all, if you have a penchant for classics, I highly recommend reading “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt. It is one of the most engaging works of fiction I have read for some time. I rate it ten out of ten, and I urge readers to pick it up as soon as possible.
Balint Nicoleta
10th Grade A
Comments