It is a great book! The only thing that kept me from Loving it was the interminable portion in Vegas. To me, that part could have been cut down a whole bunch. But, wow, when she waxes poetic about art! I thought that it was an excellent book.
Get ready for the movie version in 2019, I’ll re-read it closer to that date myself. I liked it more than My little Friend and less than The Secret history
no movie of that for me. i just started watching the alienist on tnt. the subject matter sometimes does not translate to film. i think with this book you would find the same issues
You loved it as great story telling and bold writing. I did too. Her other books were inventive but less relevant. Still thoroughly enjoyed those reads. “For some reason…”! For Good reason.
Ha, I’m frequently at odds with my book club. Maybe surprisingly my latest recommendation, The Heart’s Invisible Furies (Boyne), was enjoyed by all. Great discussion too.
That’s what I thought. I love a long book, but not a long book for the sake of being long. In my opinion, lots of this book could have been removed which would have improved the story line, not detracted from it.
It seems to be that this happens with the successful authors, I am sure they edited the heck out of The Secret History-I think it was long but it was tight!
Meh. There was one paragraph towards the end that I thought was brilliant but for the most part I felt like I was watching a slow motion fall off a cliff.
I thought it was grand. It perfectly communicated the emptiness of suburban life and the reality of the effect of a recession of the individual. It’s not pretty but it was amazing.
Did anyone enjoy it more the 2nd time you read it? I felt like bc it was so long maybe I missed some detail that I’d pick up on more 2nd time around … thoughts ?
Good for you for giving it a second chance. To me, it’s marvelous—spacious like the Nevada desert or the giant museum where it starts, persistent in life, surprising in hope against pain.
The Secret History is one of the best books I’ve ever read. As different from Goldfinch as tragedy from comedy, but thrilling. The prospect of a fourth Tartt novel is a reason to live. Of course, the one friend I persuaded to read it said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
I feel like this is the story of my life: I have this on my shelf. I really want to read it. I’m just debating on if I should read The Secret History by Donna Tartt first…?
It started okay then got boring. I almost gave up but decided to read to at least page 100. I think it picked up after that and I enjoyed it until the end.
I loved it too
It is a great book! The only thing that kept me from Loving it was the interminable portion in Vegas. To me, that part could have been cut down a whole bunch. But, wow, when she waxes poetic about art! I thought that it was an excellent book.
Loved it. Won the Pulitzer
Get ready for the movie version in 2019, I’ll re-read it closer to that date myself. I liked it more than My little Friend and less than The Secret history
no movie of that for me. i just started watching the alienist on tnt. the subject matter sometimes does not translate to film. i think with this book you would find the same issues
Marvelous book. Kept me occupied for days
You loved it as great story telling and bold writing. I did too. Her other books were inventive but less relevant. Still thoroughly enjoyed those reads. “For some reason…”! For Good reason.
Loved it!
Not for me! My book group read it, none of us were big fans.
Ha, I’m frequently at odds with my book club. Maybe surprisingly my latest recommendation, The Heart’s Invisible Furies (Boyne), was enjoyed by all. Great discussion too.
I’ll go so far as to say I hated it.
tell is why? You have a right to your feelings and opinions but without documentation your comment is meaningless. Make it count.
I think it was way longer than it needed to be.
I don’t think we have to explain rhe reason for loving or hating a book.
It was too long but I loved it too 🙂
I am about 500 pages in. I LOVE it so far.
its alrite
I loved it. I will read it again in the future!
I liked it. I think it needed some better editing, though.
Hated it the more I read. I had high hopes at the beginning but they were thoroughly eradicated by the conclusion.
Hated it. Tried twice to read it and gave up both times.
I loved it!
I enjoyed it
I loved the writing, but didn’t like the characters and it seemed too long.
Too long-needed an editor. If it would’ve been a debut author, it never would’ve been that long!
That’s what I thought. I love a long book, but not a long book for the sake of being long. In my opinion, lots of this book could have been removed which would have improved the story line, not detracted from it.
It seems to be that this happens with the successful authors, I am sure they edited the heck out of The Secret History-I think it was long but it was tight!
I could not finish. Just too dark for my taste.
Didn’t think it was that great
I also loved it, but I love gritty tales.
I tried to read it.
I loved that book
I loved it ! One of my all times favorites ?
Loved it – love most books about art!
Meh
I liked it. I suppose there were some details that could have been left out in order to move the story along, but I enjoyed it
I loved it.
Meh. There was one paragraph towards the end that I thought was brilliant but for the most part I felt like I was watching a slow motion fall off a cliff.
I loved it
I thought it was grand. It perfectly communicated the emptiness of suburban life and the reality of the effect of a recession of the individual. It’s not pretty but it was amazing.
Particularly resonated with me as I am an unwilling displaced suburbanite. Longing to move to a big city.
A little slow but I didn’t figure out how it ended
loved it but there was a point it was so depressing i almost gave up. luckily i was listening on audio and driving. finished it and glad i did.
Love!!
Loved it. She’s an incredible writer.
As I finished the last page, I was so tempted to immediately start reading it again from the beginning. Some day . . .
6 out of 10
I really liked it a lot!
I actually loved it because of the subject matter. ( Sorry can’t believe I said actually).???
me too!
I also loved it, and I live The Secret History too.
Very astute on your part, ?????
Me too! I liked them both
Did anyone enjoy it more the 2nd time you read it? I felt like bc it was so long maybe I missed some detail that I’d pick up on more 2nd time around … thoughts ?
Well the Movie will be coming out soon. So re-read right before you see it?
Ps- we can go together
I loved it.
Good for you for giving it a second chance. To me, it’s marvelous—spacious like the Nevada desert or the giant museum where it starts, persistent in life, surprising in hope against pain.
I loved it, too. I want to read Tartt’s other books someday.
The Secret History is one of the best books I’ve ever read. As different from Goldfinch as tragedy from comedy, but thrilling. The prospect of a fourth Tartt novel is a reason to live. Of course, the one friend I persuaded to read it said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
@Mari I think your friend is wrong, I completely embrace your logic.????
??
I loved it. This is one of those either you love or hate.
I loved it.
Loved it the first time around.
Too long
Not my favorite. Middle section was very tedious.
Read it twice. Just as engrossing both times.
I absolutely loved it.
I loved it!
Loved it!
Loved it!
Really enjoyed it, though I felt the action stuff at the end seemed like it came from a different book.
I liked it, but it could have been shorter.
Long but I didn’t care. I was totally absorbed.
I really enjoyed it as well
Didn’t enjoy that one.
I liked the characters and settings but it was long. Also the drug use was tiring.
Drug use is always tiring. Watching somebody else be drunk/high is boring, and so is reading about it at great length.
I feel like this is the story of my life: I have this on my shelf. I really want to read it. I’m just debating on if I should read The Secret History by Donna Tartt first…?
I’m reading SH now and it’s fantastic. I would start with it.
@Mindy I was thinking I’d start there just because it’s shorter and to get a feel for how she writes before diving into The Goldfinch.
Agree – too long
It was ok but could have used some serious editing.
I loved it too BIG TIME
I loved it, too! It is a carnival ride of a plot. Great writing!
I’m afraid I got about halfway and then ran out of steam. I’m sure it’s me & not her
I want to read her “ The Secret History “
I’m re-reading it for the 2nd time! It’s a lot darker than I remembered but a great read!
I loved parts of it but it lost me in the middle but it came back again.
It started okay then got boring. I almost gave up but decided to read to at least page 100. I think it picked up after that and I enjoyed it until the end.
I wanted about a third less of that book. I enjoyed The Little Friend more, but I still wanted less of that book too.
Loved it. One of the best books I’ve read in decades
Where did you get that “don’t judge a book by its movie” sign? I love it ?
❤❤
Favorite. Can’t wait for her next one
I loved it! I’m reading The Secret History right now and loving it as well.
Loved it too!
@Hailey lol…I got it from a friend for Xmas ?
Loved it. The story and characters
I loved it also. It was one of those can’t put it down books for me. I didn’t ever think it was too slow or too long. Definitely worth a re-read!