Donna Tartt interview (1992)

Author Donna Tartt shares her novel, "The Secret History," and talks about her inspirations and what makes a good writer.
Check out these Donna Tartt books on Amazon:
"The Goldfinch": amzn.to/2zX2lnU
"The Secret History": amzn.to/314gEml
"The Little Friend": amzn.to/3BY25p1
Join us on Patreon! / manufacturingintellect
Donate Crypto! commerce.coinbase.com/checkou...
Share this video!
Free Audible Trial with Two Free Audiobooks: amzn.to/2LBdkZl
Checking out the affiliate links above helps me bring even more high quality videos by earning me a small commission! And if you have any suggestions for future content, make sure to subscribe on the Patreon page. Thank you for your support!

[@ManufacturingIntellect]

Check out my FAVORITE Donna Tartt novel on Amazon: amzn.to/2zX2lnU Join us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/ManufacturingIntellect Donate Crypto! commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/868d67d2-1628-44a8-b8dc-8f9616d62259 Share this video! Checking out the affiliate links above helps me bring even more high quality videos by earning me a small commission! And if you have any suggestions for future content, make sure to subscribe on the Patreon page. Thank you for your support!

[@carolatapola9588]

I love how she says that she just reads the same books over and over again, and then in The Secret History writes “It is is better to know one book intimately than a hundred superficially.”

[@stasia5463]

YES

[@Damesplace]

The same with people...

[@gordielachance2757]

Thats a quote from Seneca

[@jojohairee9987]

Sounds like the Bruce Lee quote: "I don't fear a man who knows 1000 kicks yet practice them only once, I fear the man who practice one kick 1000 times"

[@bobnunyabiznz4917]

@@sacredcow87 The quote is in the book, silly!

[@aleidadiaz2261]

He keeps interrupting her, this is so dated. And she’s still brilliant even at such a young age.

[@yottardfourie]

This annoyed me so much, actually scrolling the comments to see if someone else noticed

[@olliemcdowell4503]

@@yottardfourie I agree that it’d annoying but these interviewers have to do it as part of their job, they need as much information as possible in a short period of time

[@flobelacqua8460]

I know right such a misogynist, it's so bad. She's so clever and the guy is just .....

[@rellman85]

This was kind of unusual for hosts back then, too… Rose has always been kind of annoying. He’s very smart, and actually curious and welcoming (not dismissive or judgmental). I think he just can’t contain himself sometimes.

[@flobelacqua8460]

@@rellman85 Ahh ok, maybe. I don't know his interviewing style well. Just the way he talks and looks at her sometimes gives condescending vibes, but maybe that's just his style with everyone.

[@makie6801]

She looks like one of her book characters

[@stephenfdb]

You should take a listen of her doing the audiobook for this particular book. I mean she embodies EACH character. Henry, Richard, Francis, Camilla, Charles, Bunny, Julian. Each one she becomes as she reads. Freaking amazing.

[@aimeesbookshelf2208]

oh god yes she does I did not expect this

[@damnitaintright]

YES! And also she looks like the person that would write such books (you know what i mean? :D). When I was listening to the audiobook of The Secret History, I didnt know yet what she looked like so i imagined her on the basis of her voice but also the story itself and oh my god, i was thrilled when i realised she looks just like i imagined

[@seedier]

she based a lot of the characters and setting on her real life college experience. very cool hearing her read the book too ^^

[@8ballstreet]

dark sophistication

[@marie-louzhong1187]

I now understand why she would describe Francis's accent as being: "southern sounding, almost British". It's amazing how much of the author can be found in their characters.

[@BOSTONSPORTS00]

She actually only says this about Francis, since he's from Boston and that particular accent is non-rhotic.

[@marie-louzhong1187]

​@@BOSTONSPORTS00 Oh, I see! It's possible that I misremembered by associating some of Francis' characteristics to the twins. It's been a while since I last read the novel. Thank you for the reminder.

[@marie-louzhong1187]

Luke Starkiller You were right indeed. Richard mentions that the twins are from the south, but the exact line about Francis’ accent is: « His voice was cool and Bostonian, almost British. »

[@dennisnelson8207]

@@marie-louzhong1187 As someone who is English,I'm perplexed by what a British accent is.I know an English accent,spoken by people in England or an Irish accent by people in Northern Ireland,or Scottish spoken by people in Scotland or Welsh,spoken by people from Wales.Britain is made up of four countries.England Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.So is a British accent a mix of all four accents.An English accent isn't the same as a Scottish or Irish or Welsh accent. A British accent,there's no such thing,it can either be English Scottish Welsh or Irish.

[@marie-louzhong1187]

​@@dennisnelson8207 Thank you for your genuinely instructive and detailed comment. According to your definition, I'm inclined to interpret the author's description of Francis' accent as English. Though perhaps there might have been a reason for her voluntary use of the term "British".

[@grace5964]

the way tartt talks is so hypnotizing. i mean, her words and the way she explains her art is all so beautifully expressed; she truly is amazing.

[@donniedemarco]

She’s a witch. That’s a spell she’s got you covered with.

[@marisellopez6022]

Really? I would find it annoying 😊

[@boodiddleydum927dumdiddley4]

She’s a big influence on me. The fact that she spent nine years writing the secret history is intimidating but incredible. It’s not easy work

[@nursemain3174]

Ten years yeh on each book

[@mamiedubingo]

her dedication is inspirational. It makes me less scared to write.

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

you don't have to take that long

[@AS-np3yq]

I would say she was lazy.

[@phealy02]

@@AS-np3yq I would say you're ignorant.

[@costello8675309]

God, he asks his questions while she's in the middle of her sentences.

[@mahakala]

he was fucked up

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

lol classic charlie

[@lucasjohnson3780]

Feels like he's pushing an interview through very tight tv airtime, not sure if it's disrespectful. I think he wanted her to hit talking points with her small time slot

[@kayla-ix7qq]

her accent is not what i thought it’d be but it’s also so HER and i love it

[@FreakieFan]

Over the year her accent diminished a lot. I was familiar with her recent interviews, and then I saw this. What a lovely surprise.

[@BillyEveryday]

modern MS Delta accent.

[@mimafulford1801]

omg you pfp!!

[@roseantonio4856]

the dead poets society pfp is everything😫😫

[@joanofarcwannabe]

first nuwanda pfp i’ve seen in a while 🤚😪💕

[@srushtiapadival]

I don't know if it's the editing, but the interviewer couldn't wait to get to the next question and cut her off. In Tartt's words, 'The hallmark of a modern mind is that it loves to wander from its subject', she embodied it in this interview

[@TomorrowWeLive]

he has a limited amount of time

[@lilianfigueiredo7160]

YES, ive felt that too

[@gemmaprunes4750]

He is an extremely annoying interviewer, Charlie Rose. I personally hate that suave attitude of his but even more so the constant interruption over guests. He does that as if rapid fire questions will make him look more intelligent, and also to have constant control over the much more intelligent people he had the chance to interrogate. Unsurprisingly, he was accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women which prompted CBS and PBS to fire him.

[@KindomChums]

I completely agree. Regardless of time constraints, if you ask someone a question then you need to let them answer

[@andyc211247]

Rose is both a great interviewer and an awful one. IMHO.

[@Hooga89]

She has some seriously beautiful eyes.

[@Velvet0Starship2013]

Oh, you should have seen Faulkner's...

[@timstermatic]

and she's a great writer.

[@giovannimannelli2158]

what's the colour of her eyes?

[@elenol1310]

@@giovannimannelli2158 green

[@solidaritytime3650]

Gross that this is the first comment, seemingly one of the most popular. This brilliant southern novelist is dropping bits of wisdom all over, but sure_ -woman-eyes- _

[@MissPansyPKN]

Love it when she says that maybe, in her forties, she might write about love and she actually did in The Goldfinch. It's almost a prophecy...

[@okayjohn44]

this sentece from her is actually so funny and beautiful at the same time

[@Redhousereject]

Was The Goldfinch really about love though? I’d argue it’s more about grief and obsession.

[@redfoxonstilts]

@@Redhousereject I just read The Goldfinch and I'd say it's about self-destruction, question of what is good and evil, fear of death, and irrational desires. Would definitely not say it's about love in any way.

[@Redhousereject]

@@redfoxonstilts I guess on reflection, perhaps it was love that brought about these feelings in the protagonist. After all, love does make us do silly things

[@soph996]

@@Redhousereject the goldfinch is LITERALLY Theo, his true self and all his love; mostly towards his mother, but also towards Mrs Barbour, Hobbie and Boris And ofc Theo's feelings of being unloved by the world

[@MeMe-td1ye]

She seems like an actress playing role of writer

[@chasehambright1029]

How did you know? Lol

[@evazygkiri1155]

Brilliant observation

[@bearr3096]

If someone told me that this was Tallulah Bankhead I wouldn't be surprised

[@wanderinggeri8477]

She is attractive enough to be an actress; and very genuine. An Oscar worth performance of herself.

[@bearr3096]

@@wanderinggeri8477 as though all actresses need to be attractive

[@bunnyw1312]

this interviewer loves the sound of his own voice.

[@adk7439]

right? i wish he just let her talk until she was finished instead of keeping the conversation moving at a certain pace

[@rise.n.soar17]

like let your guest speak, isn’t this the point

[@Booksandstrawberries]

The beauty of her writing. I usually hate books with unlikable characters or anti-heroes and never finish them. But the Secret History had me so immersed as much as I hated the characters because of her brilliant, mesmerizing writing. This woman deserves every literary award.

[@BetteDavisBrazil]

I do agree with you! The very same happened to me: hated the characters but loved the book!

[@JeffRebornNow]

Madame Bovary is unlikable. Raskolnikov is unlikable. Everyone in The Great Gatsby is unlikable.

[@meggy8868]

Found the characters underdevelped and interchangeable except for narrator

[@jonathangeddes9786]

I only hated bunny and parents

[@em-tc6zr]

"How do you create suspense from knowing what we already know?" It's amazing. In truth when I read the prologue I was disappointed. It was like a spoiler, but then she did just what she wanted. She built suspense and intrigue and fear even though we knew how it'd end. I think the best writer knows how to get in the reader's head and she's definitely done that.

[@andreluissoriano]

[Spoiler] It made it even better, I think. We already knew what's gonna happen, but we are yet to find out why. So in a way the book avoided the typical cheap mystery device of cliff-hangers, but relied heavily on the psychology of the intent of the murder. And not just that, the murder and the intent of murder are resolved in the middle of the book. There is still half the book that we don't initially know what for. But I personally love the 2nd half of the book way more than the first. A really satisfying read all in all.

[@mattcanread2847]

Man, I love Donna but the interviewer gets on my nerves. Let the woman talk; I'm here to hear her, not you!

[@nakedlunchmusic7928]

Charlie has a lot of woman problems - haven't you heard? Regards himself as Playboy Charlie Rose!

[@viljamtheninja]

This is the way he does all of this interviews. Don't like it, that's fine, but don't pretend it's because she's a woman.

[@pookiepoodle46]

Completely agree! He keeps trying to impress her. Stop!

[@XYZ-mn2zu]

I agree. He's not a good listener and it makes him a mediocre interviewer. He does the same in an interview with Joyce Carol Oats

[@KanwarAnand]

Someone delete this comment - I kept waiting for him to disturb DT. Also you philistines failed to notice the world was different in 1992. The British were still white.

[@betty6395]

I have such a crush on Donna Tartt

[@hadiahaqnawaz1499]

same

[@celiaartemis7189]

Yes...

[@aisirarchibald3583]

Dude, i guess, reading the comments, we're a lot in that cas x) thats nice ! She sounds so smart and sweet and determined and etc.. and her eyes and the look they have in !

[@stefaniasavio]

Me too. 🥰❤️

[@user-dd7ms7vm9v]

Aren't you a girl?

[@stopandlive91]

The Secret History and The Goldfinch are two amazing books, so beautiful and smart

[@viljamtheninja]

They certainly are. Although my favorite of hers is actually The Little Friend. But no one seems to agree.

[@1zangelique]

Oh no, I love Little Friend. It's my fave Tartt novel even though I think the ending sort of finishes up melodramatic. And it's got Dark Shadows mentions!

[@13blackmagic13]

I agree! LONG LIVE HARRIET CLEVE DUFRESNE

[@justjuanreader]

Oh, The Little Friend!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@nursemain3174]

@@viljamtheninja my favourite too

[@Slarti]

The Secret History is a work of art and Donna Tartt looks exactly as I imagined the characters from the novel.

[@kylebalmer3396]

You should try reading some actual literature for a change you pretentious illiterate fool

[@hanancruz882]

Yes!

[@madj160]

She is mesmerizing

[@stobbinsboy]

yes she is

[@5aIty]

She talks the same way she writes, it’s beautiful

[@indydude3367]

Her radiant eyes, her endearing accent, her elegant shyness, her trenchant insight.

[@Lux-ow5vf]

Now describe a male author.

[@Lux-ow5vf]

@@poptigre You get over it. And piss off while you're at it. It's the only way men know how to write women and its dreadful. Imagine being a writer and having absolutely no imagination... Oh, is that why you're defending it? Hit a bit to close to home did it? Pathetic...

[@Lux-ow5vf]

And in any case it's weak writing. Trying way to hard.

[@juanagallo7497]

Chacha-- most women understand and many agree with you!

[@contagiousintelligence5007]

I’m a woman and I’m also saying that she’s very pretty. Nothing wrong with that

[@elliehill6881]

I can't even begin to express what Donna Tartt and her books mean to me. If I got to meet her and just thank her once I could die happy.

[@osodelososos5552]

Wow, I totally relate to this comment.

[@elliehill6881]

@@anonymousanonymous-nt8ls lmao sorry for being passionate about something my bad

[@Kingnickman]

I could happily listen to her read the Dictionary.

[@td3428]

You can write to her through her publisher. She might even write to you, too. ❤

[@jonathangeddes9786]

You have 😊

[@klstadt]

The Secret History still haunts me to this day; I still think about it. It's one of the best stories I've ever read and I'd say, the most impactful.

[@swann331]

The Secret History is a masterpiece. A novel for the ages.

[@RichardUttingSharpshootingUK]

Isn’t it just

[@nodrarb140]

This makes me want to write. 8 years, and 13 years for her recent book. I really love her dedication to writing. Amazing woman.

[@WateryFire]

Aaaargh this is horrible! He asks her a question then interrupts her, then asks her again as if she wasn't answering. Does this idiot just love to listen to himself? I wish she was intervieweved by someone else.

[@shethewriter]

When a person you love and a person you hate sit down at the same table Update: wow yall thanks for the upvotes!

[@Cminorputitincminor]

I fell out of love with reading until I read the Goldfinch, and subsequently “lost” an entire summer to devouring the Secret History, falling in love with each and every one of the characters. I think I started it over again the second I finished it. What an incredible writer. I’d love her to write another book.

[@Tinyflydeposit]

I had a similar experience with The Goldfinch. After a life of reading I lost interest until that beautiful book fell into my life.

[@BookClubDisaster]

You fell in love with THOSE characters?

[@jackiele5019]

Goldfinch was my first introduction to Donna and I can’t wait to read more of her other books. Very interesting characters and story line.

[@hedonistpoetz]

@@BookClubDisaster i fell deeply in love with henry winter from the secret history. you can fall in love with horrible characters.

[@BookClubDisaster]

@@hedonistpoetz Just like you can fall in love with horrible people. Happens every day!

[@Ozgipsy]

This book got a real second life in the past 5 years. Amazing to write a book at that age which is already considered a classic.

[@kaelinjoel9328]

Her accent is so soothing. The slightly enlogated diphthongs are really quite charming.

[@paperboxes]

Yes! It sounds like accents from classic movies in the 50s

[@belaubekiis]

KZbin’s algorithm is usually shit, but every once in a while, it recommends a gem.

[@EzeICE]

She reminds me as a cross between Jennifer Connelly and Jodie Foster. Very beautiful and gifted as well.

[@asterixe1]

She reminds me of Renee Zellweger with that cute Southerner's vibe and petite frame. Her eyes are very bright and a unique color - pale olive green gray? Her accent seems to be a mix between an aristocratic old Southern one and upper crust Northeastern from that time.

[@Zorg2006]

The Secret History completely changed how I even thought of books. She can write three lines and draw a character in the most incredible depth. It took my breath away.

[@filibusterfirework74]

The fact that she says “he doesn’t know quite where he’s taking you to” while referring to any general author as a female author says so much. I hope that she came to recognize that she is one of the many others that made generations of woman not think it outside the norm that women are incredibly talented writers💕

[@valentinagaravaglia1732]

Donna explains things soo well and in such an attractive and endearing way that it is such a pleasure to listen to her as well as read her writings.

[@JillianClairPrice]

I would love to hear a 6 hour mix of Donna just saying "and" over and over

[@beebela13sh]

I just listened to her narrate The Secret History and love the way she says “old, cold, told ...” Great voice and absolutely mesmerizing narration.

[@JillianClairPrice]

@@beebela13sh YES her narration of The Secret History is so impeccable!!!

[@sectec25blog]

Let's make her read books by this guy called Cormac McCarthy, for some reason, he barely uses commas and puts "and, and, and" instead.

[@JackHC0]

@@sectec25blog McCarthy's reasoning for his use of run on sentences and lack of punctuation is because he prefers "simple declarative sentences" and that he uses capital letters, periods, an occasional comma, a colon for setting off a list, but never semicolons. He believes there is no reason to "blot the page up with weird little marks". When you're writing a great American novel you can punctuate however you want, I guess.

[@Lux-ow5vf]

@@JackHC0 You don't know it's the great American novel while you are writing it. Writers get away with unorthodox punctuation because they have the guts to do it and stick by it. If you have to wait til you're popular and respected to be yourself, then you're never gonna get there.

[@shazammy]

Man, Charlie Rose is remarkably patronizing when interviewing women.

[@samanrai7050]

Kevin Kelly the cringe is real!

[@viljamtheninja]

I see no difference between how he acts when interviewing men. It sounds more like you guys are just more "protective" when it comes to women because you see them as fragile and unable to handle a challenging interview.

[@MrMarsFargo]

@@viljamtheninja Just watch his Mister Rogers interviews. He allows him to fully answer a question, no matter how long it takes, without interruption. Not so here.

[@JillianClairPrice]

"How much of your talent comes from you and how much is from your inspirations" and "why has your book done so well" are some of the most patronizing things you can ask an author and I guarantee he didnt ask those things to men

[@stevensturgillschesstv4821]

@@JillianClairPrice with all due respect I have watched over 60 interviews with Charlie and he very typically asks a very similar set of questions to make and female guests. Also at the time of this interview she was merely a first time novelist not to diminish the feat. The questions were thus very topical and timely. Cheers.

[@catchawave21]

"Sounds like law school." "Ya it does." You can almost hear her eyes rolling. She was good to suffer through this.

[@thistime6003]

She wrote too well. She is right the characters became alive and grew with the novel..I just finished reading The secret History and can't control my tears..the writing is prolific but so heavily n mysteriously it embroils and at the same time invites you to such change of subject n events..! That knowing its going to be a murder in start you forget altogether and read from moment to moment, inch by inch it captivates you and captures your attention. My love Donna, hence the tears.

[@fellowhuman7275]

she's not dead

[@chaseadams347]

I love hearing some of my favorite authors discuss their favorite authors.

[@neylaane]

please girl we need another book

[@gloomygguk528]

REAL !! ITS BEEN 11 YRS NOW

[@kirabellama1330]

she's an icon, she's a legend and she IS the moment

[@al738knyh]

Get these cringe tiktok trends out of videos like this. Take it under a Kar/Jenner video instead. Thank you.

[@billybro1403]

this is cringe

[@kirabellama1330]

@@billybro1403 ok? first of all idc second of all cringe is fun

[@kirabellama1330]

@@al738knyh bruh what you gotta be some boring for? cringe or not i don't really care i'm gonna say what i want to and i'm gonna enjoy it

[@agnesjohnson-jones6690]

As a southerner, I love to hear her voice. She hasn't conformed to not sound "dumb." I wish the interview had lasted longer and I wish he'd let her muse a bit more. I'm left wanting to hear more about her "third" world.

[@KanwarAnand]

I read The Secret History and Little Friend last year. The former became one of my all time top 10 books. I just finished reading Goldfinch. I've read 24 books so far this year. But this book? Not only is it the best I have read this 2020 but it might be the best I have ever read. Donna Tart has the most painstaking mystical way of gaining your attention and once she starts appealing to your coincidences, she won't stop. I have never seen anything like it. Truly exceptional, breath-taking and large than "larger than life"

[@KanwarAnand]

@BigTurqouise Pencil please read my comment again dear stranger. I said it’s the best book I’ve ever read in my time.

[@Tinyflydeposit]

I love this book. It's a masterpiece

[@nursemain3174]

Little friend is my favourite book of hers

[@maggyfrog]

at a superficial level, i lover her accent. lol brilliant writer. i don't understand why she has such staunch critics saying she's not really good enough as far as serious literature goes.

[@yolandamofork7632]

Maggy Frog they're just jealous

[@swann331]

Maggy Frog Tartt is a genius. Fuck ‘em

[@danitiwa]

Maybe this is presumptuous but sexism is a thing in english literary critique. There’s a reason why JK Rowling didn’t put her first name on her novels. Women are held to impossible standards by predominantly male critics.

[@powerbite92]

ha ha ha , the Goldfinch was very good in places and terrible in others. But thats what you get when someone is worshipped to the hilt and no editor dares cutting out their waffle. She is over rated. And as for JKR she isnt a very good writer.

[@vaderetro264]

@@danitiwa I don't think so, being a woman helps a lot, men usually need to work harder to achieve the same level of recognition..

[@aquablushgirl]

I wish he had pressed her on the books she likes to read - she never answered the question. I know she loves Dickens but I would have liked to hear more.

[@thefatalflaw]

I find it somehow scary how I am so intimate with her voice by now because I have been listening to The Secret History every night before bed for months now. She is truly an amazing writer and a deep and thoroughly interesting soul.

[@marcellakrant622]

I just watched this interview 2 days ago and felt super uncomfortable with Charlie Rose at times cutting her off so aggressively and today 5 women have accused this guy of sexual misconduct and sadly I wasn't surprised.

[@darkdemonqueen]

This comment has aged so well it’s disheartening.

[@HomeAtLast501]

I hate to blow your theory, but if you know anything about Charlie Rose you know that he interrupts everyone constantly, regardless of gender.

[@c.e.n.o4830]

First, u cant know if someones a rapist or not with an interview, ur not Jesus, alright ? Second he ddnt get judged for it, prolly fasle accusations like it happens

[@theuberman7170]

Charlie is a piece of s*** but Is there really a correlation between those two factors?

[@wallacetrembath1602]

@@c.e.n.o4830 I think they're saying they weren't surprised he's a creep based on his mannerisms and how he interacts with her

[@wisdomasculture3173]

I love her gentle voice. She should read her books into audiobooks

[@sandraoopie]

She does! I just finished her reading of Secret History.

[@kimtracy754]

I wish the interviewer would’ve let her speak instead of cutting her off and finishing her sentences. I really wanted to hear her thoughts on reading the same book several times and getting something different each time. Donna is a genius!

[@advancedraymondology2914]

I love the way she talks. And I do the same thing, read the same fifty or so books over and over.

[@nataliakub527]

12:53 - 12:55 You're Welcome

[@roshannair2118]

I am in love.

[@standingincontempt]

such a brilliant woman, absolutely makes my heart flutter

[@madelinevlogs5898]

She looks exactly how I picture Camilla, just with blonde hair

[@szymonkunda2197]

Yeah, Camilla had this "masculine charm" almost and when I saw Donna Tartt I understood exactly how she envisioned Camilla. Kinda seems like she inspired herself for Camilla

[@alinaedwards5685]

I really enjoyed The Secret History, such a beautifully written book.

[@banditthekid9753]

I devoured this book in a matter of days, absolutely in love with the characters and words she shared with me. Now, seeing interviews and videos of her, I think I'm very nearly head over heels in love with her as a person. That accent! It truly gives me butterflies! Her mannerisms and way of speaking are so charming. I wish Charlie Rose had shut up and let her speak rather than talking over her and acting downright patronizing. She's the genius here!

[@aliisa7881]

her voice is so soothing

[@moonchild-cf9ni]

She's one of those people that are truly knowledgeable and well read. We're losing those type of people in the world.

[@rellman85]

Don’t be fooled into thinking they were ever the majority, please. (Beyond that, there are a lot of intelligent well read people, today. Barnes and Noble is recording excellent profits, the last few years.)

[@Ana-iy8hq]

​@@rellman85I call bullshit. Internet culture has changed us in general. I don't know a single well-read person of my age (31) except for the job they're strictly adjusted to (be it intellectual like medicine or not) and here in Spain the writers are people who are considered wise bc they're kind of old. People like palahniuk or steven king or the guy from Bonfire of vanities could never exist today not even if we're supposedly speaking about outcasts who write. These sort of people are long gone after social media.

[@garygreen7379]

Close to my favorite book. I read it every couple of years and am always blown away.

[@codacreator6162]

The magic of creativity comes from desire for self-expression. Writing classes can help you learn to put that desire into words. If you've ever tried to describe how you feel or who you are with the precision and art required for others to fully appreciate those things, you know the great distance that exists between your ideas and your ability to express them. If you can easily relate such things you're either a genius or you're deluded. The more you learn about the intentional expression of abstract ideas and the slippery imprecision and inadequacy of language, the more difficult the art and craft of writing become for you.

[@tahsina.c]

This is really well put

[@Starburst514]

I listened to her narrate the book, Im so in love with her voice

[@rockdamic]

I read Secret History when I was 15, shortly after it was released and it has never left me since.

[@richardlopez2932]

Wow. Charlie Rose can fly an airplane into a mountain like nobody's business. I've only read the prologue and the first few pages since yesterday, but this is a really good story with interesting characters and use of detail that is stunning without exception. He basically just throws shade at someone who is light years beyond his pithy intellect. High-Fives to Donna Tartt.

[@shayne2471]

it’s nice to see someone from Mississippi be so well respected by academics and intellectuals

[@matthewgallagher6982]

13:49 that face when you could give less than half a fuck about what john grisham has to say about your novel

[@KitchenJames]

oh shit llmaaoooooo

[@maggyfrog]

she probably thought he was one of the critics saying not-so-nice things about her book and was pleasantly surprised it was a praise.

[@Riverskyfall]

12:46 it feels like he wasn't even listening to her and was just preparing his next question

[@sophdollsubs7047]

the enitre interview feels that way

[@Nightfold]

She speaks so delicately

[@jbliv831]

Ugh I'm in love with her. So bright. I wish I could ask questions.

[@angelnunnart]

Same

[@zdoriksandorik]

I've really loved listening to her narration of TSH, and it held me back significantly when i've attempted to start goldfinch - the fact that she wasn't the one narrating it. Something about her accent, her voice draws you in instantly.

[@giusleao]

ok i just finished the secret history and i love this woman for writing this weird and messep up masterpiece

[@sofia9757]

She is insanely talented and inspiring!

[@ayushhaggarwal]

Did anyone else cry when she told people in Miami told her that her book was the first thing they grabbed while evacuating the house.

[@katevalentine7075]

I love Donna narrating both the Secret History and True Grit !!

[@littystoker1611]

I’m in love with how she talks

[@pluto-9047]

I can listen to her all day.

[@project-pe6ly]

I wish this was a 3 hour interview

[@saracole7623]

I just love the way she speaks. I’m currently listening to the audiobook of The Secret History narrated by her and it’s really lovely

[@mgo3320]

I wish he would let her finish her sentences. Can't believe what a bad interviewer he is. It's not only rude, but also a pity, as she is so intelligent and I would love to have heard more from her.

[@bebitter]

I didn't get the audiobook for the secret history because I was put off by her....frankly strange accent. But after watching multiple interviews I am mesmerised by it and can't wait to now listen to the novel being read by her.

[@efleishermedia]

Has there ever been a hotter writer than early 90s Tartt Okay possibly 70s Joan Dodion but theres something about the wry southern hyper intelligence in her eyes that one can see wasn't "manufactured" in a university but instilled by life experience. Goddamn.

[@rogerwelsh2335]

Her knowledge of books and the history of writing at this age is astounding

[@extrachrispy1]

She's a true artist. What an inspiration 😍

[@scottbrandon9390]

This was a wonderful debut novel. The success of the book in terms of sales was indicative of the times in the early 1990s when people still read a lot of books. There were many more bookstores and books sold well. I think The Secret History was translated in nearly 20 languages and sold millions of copies. Today, that success may not have been matched. Sadly readership is less than the 1990s, and there are so few bookstores. I remember back in the early 1990s there were no fewer than 26 bookstores in a six block length of a main street in Toronto. None of those stores exist today.

[@CMON75]

Readership is soaring. More people read now than ever before. I hope Mr. Brandon can broaden his view, because the developed world has largely transitioned away from traditional brick and mortar shops to online purchases of books and digital editions. There are emerging authors today who are far and away more successful, both critically and financially, than any other writers in the history of publishing.

[@desireandfire]

@@CMON75 but still, it's a a sad thing for all these bookshops to no longer exist. It's so nice and picturesque to be in one, lol

[@jae4695]

I love the way she expresses herself

[@codacreator6162]

She reminds me of Shirley Jackson in her sensibilities and manner. She's definitely one of a kind.

[@TahiraTier]

OMG let her finish he sentences and thoughts!! Gosh he's actually so infuriating but i love how composed Donna is. She's literally MY ICON.

[@DermochelysCoriacea]

Oh my god I LOVE this woman's style and I loved The Secret History.

[@Winduct]

I have never heard such an American accent before. What an interesting character she is.

[@marky1974]

Currently rereading it..great book..very atmospheric..30th anniversary..

[@MrsAP-xl4jy]

What a great insight into Donna's process! Her writing is elegant and so is she. Part of me wishes I could have been a fly on the wall amongst the Bennington students.

[@lambertsimnel100]

Just started reading “The Secret History” - how on earth did this pass me by for so long ?

[@qisiel]

everything about her is so charming

[@springhillgolfer878]

Loved The Goldfinch. A book I will read again in ten years.

[@user-bt5je9lp7u]

This is totally unrelated to the interview but she is stunning! Gorgeous. I want to be Donna Tartt when I grow up. Beautiful and a great novelist.

[@CadeCYC]

Love the image she shared from Hitchcock about what suspense is!

[@ullintalulna7066]

That woman is a genius

[@user-pj1oc3ji6l]

DONNA TARTT GREAT AUTHOR,WRITER AT A TIME,DONNA TARTT WRITTING IS GREAT AS WELL AS DAME AGATHA CHRISTIE AND VANGINIA WOOLF,AND SO ONE,ET CETERA.I DO LOVE THIS WRITER,AUTHOR! I ALMOST FORGOT THAT IS A GREAT INTERVIEW!

[@Ayeshahahahahahahaha]

She has Camilla Macaulay's VOICE. LIKE IDK WHAT ABOUT IT BUT ITS HER VOICE GAWDDDD