The Secret History
This book is in a Controlled Release!
1 journaler for this copy...
Arrived from Amazon some time last week, when I was out of town.
Ah, the joy of reading something as fulfilling as this. It's one thing to read a suspense novel that has you turning pages like crazy. It's altogether different when there is real substance making you read.
Richard Papen is a freshman at a small New England college, far from where he grew up in a small town in the silicon valley area of California. His humble beginnings make him the odd one out in this school, where most of the students come from wealth. He therefore makes up a different, "better" past. One where his parents are rich and well-connected, but where Richard prefers to go his own way rather than ask for money. He is also not particularly wedded to any area of major study. When he hears about a teacher, Julian Morrow, who is something of a renegade, who teaches Greek - history, philosophy, language - he manages to join Morrow's small band of students. Part of the deal is that he also changes advisors so that his only teacher is Julian, and his advisor is Julian as well. It is because of Julian's own past and connections at the college that he is able to run his classics area this way.
Early in his study, Richard learns one of Julian's beliefs: that beauty often comes from violence. He offers examples from ancient art. At this point I was thinking about Patricia Highsmith's characters. Because the book starts out mentioning the central act of the story - the murder of one of Richard's classmates - I had a vision of this charismatic teacher leading his students astray.
That's not exactly what happened. The story is more complex and less predictable than that. Richard becomes close friends with his classmates Henry, the twins Charles and Camilla, Francis, and Bunny. Henry looms large physically yet moves with grace and keeps his own counsel. The twins clearly love each other and graciously welcome Richard. Francis is elegant, on a trust fund, beautiful. Bunny is loud and at times bumbling, and has a tendency to sponge off others. Richard isn't the only one faking wealth.
We get to know Julian rather less than I expected. He is a kind, generous man, who cares deeply about his hand-picked students. Richard finds that Julian sees the best in him, in anyone, and this belief makes him, Richard, want to be that person. There is much discussion of Greek philosophy among the little gang, which leads to some unusual activities.
We get caught up in the meetings and activities and especially the drinking of the group, with occasional glimpses of Julian, who manages to retain his status as mentor. Gradually the story about the murder is filled in, and then the aftermath. I have often wondered how I would feel if I were involved in something like this, how I would live with myself. Clearly Tartt has thought about it a great deal. I felt that Richard's reactions were appropriate, as were his thoughts and actions long after.
Tartt likes to dwell on the dark side, to explore it. Where she will take us we don't quite know. When I finished this book I felt deeply satisfied, as if I'd had a good meal. And more.
Richard Papen is a freshman at a small New England college, far from where he grew up in a small town in the silicon valley area of California. His humble beginnings make him the odd one out in this school, where most of the students come from wealth. He therefore makes up a different, "better" past. One where his parents are rich and well-connected, but where Richard prefers to go his own way rather than ask for money. He is also not particularly wedded to any area of major study. When he hears about a teacher, Julian Morrow, who is something of a renegade, who teaches Greek - history, philosophy, language - he manages to join Morrow's small band of students. Part of the deal is that he also changes advisors so that his only teacher is Julian, and his advisor is Julian as well. It is because of Julian's own past and connections at the college that he is able to run his classics area this way.
Early in his study, Richard learns one of Julian's beliefs: that beauty often comes from violence. He offers examples from ancient art. At this point I was thinking about Patricia Highsmith's characters. Because the book starts out mentioning the central act of the story - the murder of one of Richard's classmates - I had a vision of this charismatic teacher leading his students astray.
That's not exactly what happened. The story is more complex and less predictable than that. Richard becomes close friends with his classmates Henry, the twins Charles and Camilla, Francis, and Bunny. Henry looms large physically yet moves with grace and keeps his own counsel. The twins clearly love each other and graciously welcome Richard. Francis is elegant, on a trust fund, beautiful. Bunny is loud and at times bumbling, and has a tendency to sponge off others. Richard isn't the only one faking wealth.
We get to know Julian rather less than I expected. He is a kind, generous man, who cares deeply about his hand-picked students. Richard finds that Julian sees the best in him, in anyone, and this belief makes him, Richard, want to be that person. There is much discussion of Greek philosophy among the little gang, which leads to some unusual activities.
We get caught up in the meetings and activities and especially the drinking of the group, with occasional glimpses of Julian, who manages to retain his status as mentor. Gradually the story about the murder is filled in, and then the aftermath. I have often wondered how I would feel if I were involved in something like this, how I would live with myself. Clearly Tartt has thought about it a great deal. I felt that Richard's reactions were appropriate, as were his thoughts and actions long after.
Tartt likes to dwell on the dark side, to explore it. Where she will take us we don't quite know. When I finished this book I felt deeply satisfied, as if I'd had a good meal. And more.
Reserved for bookstogive's general lit book box (starting with round 14).
Taken from the VBB and added to paperbackswap list.
Taking to a book exchange tonight.
Left at the book exchange with another member.
