Donna Tartt’s The Secret History (1992) is a dark academia-inspired novel comparable to a Shakespearean tragedy in the way it drips with expertly crafted, devastating drama.

When Richard, an aspiring classics major, transfers to a small college in Vermont, he discovers a world of dark intrigue and secrets that he comes to regret uncovering.

After joining an exclusive class of mysterious and alluring peers, Richard comes to understand that none of them is truly who he thought they were.

Tartt’s immersive writing and colorful imagery force you into Richard’s increasingly uncomfortable shoes. The sinister narrative is extremely entertaining.

Claire and Leela struggled to put the book down, sacrificing homework assignments and spring break, respectively, to get through the admittedly long novel.

Tartt explores the dangers of the human search for belonging and knowledge, warning that one should not jump without anticipating the fall.

The novel’s biggest flaw is Tartt’s two-dimensional writing of the only major female character, Camilla, with Tartt painting her as a mysterious object of attraction and nearly neglecting her humanity.

Claire gives The Secret History a 9.5/10, and Leela gives it a 9.3/10.

If you liked The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath or another of Donna Tartt’s novels, The Goldfinch, then The Secret History is for you!