I love The Secret History and no other dark academia book comes close to the pedestal I put it on. I'd have to reread to find specific passages, but I think there are several ones that point to Richard being an unreliable narrator. I immediately picked up on his romantic idolization of his peers. His foggy memory of what happened paired with the drug and alcohol use add to the paranoia and unsettling atmosphere in the novel. I haven't read The Goldfinch but I'd love to go back and read it. I read Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo earlier this year and they're really, really good but don't have the same layered nuances as TSH.
Great points on signs Richard’s narration is not fully reliable. And definitely, he romanticized Julian and his students - there are only a few passages where he actually “sobers” up and sees through his rose-colored glasses, only to turn to more alcohol and drugs - it’s as if he wants to stay in the fog, you know. It’s not dark academia but I hope you like The Goldfinch if/when you pick it up! I also read Ninth House & Hell Bent and I agree, I loved it but it’s not quite The Secret History
Secret History’s a big read, no doubt about it, Peachy. I was drawn in, but couldn’t help think how insular the group was from the student body, meeting on their own in class. That took it a step out of reality for me. The funeral scene, where he meets the family, knowing what’s happened, that was hands down my favorite.
I agree, it was definitely unusual, the group being mostly isolated from everyone else on campus. I do think that comes as a privilege because their professor don’t accept a salary and donates it to the school. Eccentric for sure, but I think plausible.
I think it’s interesting that Bunny’s mother took it upon herself almost as if to punish Henry while he was around, not really treating him all that well as a guest, and it was curious since she didn’t have any knowledge of what really happened.
ooooh i hope you love this one as well if/when you decide to pick it up! it’s different from The Goldfinch when it comes to the plot themes/subjects and the character archetypes - but the tension, the pacing, and the prose will all be very familiar
This is a really great review, you gave just enough to make me think I might need to pick this up again. I've tried it once but put it down when the scenes in the classroom started
I love The Secret History and no other dark academia book comes close to the pedestal I put it on. I'd have to reread to find specific passages, but I think there are several ones that point to Richard being an unreliable narrator. I immediately picked up on his romantic idolization of his peers. His foggy memory of what happened paired with the drug and alcohol use add to the paranoia and unsettling atmosphere in the novel. I haven't read The Goldfinch but I'd love to go back and read it. I read Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo earlier this year and they're really, really good but don't have the same layered nuances as TSH.
Great points on signs Richard’s narration is not fully reliable. And definitely, he romanticized Julian and his students - there are only a few passages where he actually “sobers” up and sees through his rose-colored glasses, only to turn to more alcohol and drugs - it’s as if he wants to stay in the fog, you know. It’s not dark academia but I hope you like The Goldfinch if/when you pick it up! I also read Ninth House & Hell Bent and I agree, I loved it but it’s not quite The Secret History
fun! I just posted a 'dark academia' post with this one and two others, ninth house and catherine house. very vibey!
https://therollingladder.substack.com/p/dark-academia
Secret History’s a big read, no doubt about it, Peachy. I was drawn in, but couldn’t help think how insular the group was from the student body, meeting on their own in class. That took it a step out of reality for me. The funeral scene, where he meets the family, knowing what’s happened, that was hands down my favorite.
I agree, it was definitely unusual, the group being mostly isolated from everyone else on campus. I do think that comes as a privilege because their professor don’t accept a salary and donates it to the school. Eccentric for sure, but I think plausible.
I think it’s interesting that Bunny’s mother took it upon herself almost as if to punish Henry while he was around, not really treating him all that well as a guest, and it was curious since she didn’t have any knowledge of what really happened.
I’ve read The Goldfinch and loved it, but I haven’t read this one yet.
ooooh i hope you love this one as well if/when you decide to pick it up! it’s different from The Goldfinch when it comes to the plot themes/subjects and the character archetypes - but the tension, the pacing, and the prose will all be very familiar
This is a really great review, you gave just enough to make me think I might need to pick this up again. I've tried it once but put it down when the scenes in the classroom started
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it more if/when you decide to pick it up again :)