I didn't like The Secret History

I guess it just wasn't my cuppa.
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[@juliadaughton5399]

The thing I find interesting about this book is that it has a commentary to it that touches on people making “the aesthetic” and academia their entire personality, and then people do exactly that with the book. I felt fairly similar in not particularly enjoying it but getting the authors point.

[@tamaraclare2059]

I think I was very lucky to have read this when it first came out and therefore had very little idea of what it was about as well as not having any internet hysteria to drive my opinion. I actually love this book, but I can appreciate that a book populated with very unlikable people, (they are supposed to be awful) can be a chore if you're also not enjoying the plot. I would still recommend this book to people.

[@ezool18]

in terms of Dark Academia books, TSH is more of a satire of DA, so like you said the author made the characters purposely insufferable. that said, If We Were Villains i think is more of a demonstration of DA that plays it serious, where the characters and their relationships are a bit more fleshed out as well as their situation surrounding a death and its aftermath. so maybe that's a book you'd have a little more fun with?

[@mishasnowball-iddon8961]

I’m the same. Super character driven. I started this book and immediately bounced off it because of the insufferable characters. I don’t know why anyone would want to spend so much time with those people.

[@maria5988]

I think it's great when people share books they didn't like, because it just helps provide data points in terms of their taste so you can take that into account when hearing their review. It's been a while since I read it, so my memory of it isn't super great. For me I enjoyed the vibes and setting of the secret history. I love academic settings in books, especially when it's about classical literature. However, I agree there were parts that were a slog, and I feel like it relied a lot on shock factor and taboo. I was also taken aback by the homophobia, which makes it hard to recommend to people.

[@corriemcclain7960]

Thanks for saving me time. I love to read but, since leaving school, I swore I'd never read another well written book with awful people. Listening to this is giving me Great Gatsby flashbacks. shutter.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

😂😂😂😂 I so get that comment

[@himbo_noa]

*gazes wistfully out the window, into the cold of bleak Winter* ".. I hated that book" looking forward to the reading vlog! always find your content and thoughts interesting and relaxing~

[@GeneGraver]

This was me in 1997, I did not want anything to do with the HYPE that was the Titanic movie. I just didn't get it, not saying it was a horrible movie, it just wasn't for me and I still don't get it.

[@corriemcclain7960]

same! Also for me Friends the show.

[@ChaoticWitchAunt]

Here for the tea.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

10:31 maybe this is because “tropes” used to be called cliches and they were a thing to avoid and not lean into lol.

[@levikelly2036]

I don't think I'm anywhere near as into this book as others are, and honestly I listened to it rather than read it so who knows how that may have changed the experience. I'm also not much of a reader in general, I haven't seen much around this genre, but I remember enjoying the vibe over anything else. The setting was maybe a bit of a turn off. Being taught 'the classics' definitely gave me a kind of private school vibe which I tend to have a bias against, just from being from the UK and having negative experiences with some people of that background. But overall it reminded me of a couple of years as a teenager where I joined an intensive but small group, and the kind of intoxication, or maybe just indoctrination, that came from it. It's a similar enough vibe to Midsommar, which I really love despite it not being a fun ride haha. It's relatable enough without hitting too close to home to make me truly uncomfortable. I doubt others will have the same experience as me, and truly I might be misremembering since it's been a while, but I'm interested in what others thought.

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

OMGOSH,YES Olivia!! I never could read Donna Tartt's book to the first few chapters!! It's so big and loooooooooooooong.... I couldn't even continue with the book! I send it off to a thriftshop

[@THEWEIRDOGOTHVAMPYREWITCH]

For me personally the bigger and thicker the book the more excited I get I read Bram Stokers Dracula in one day and that was a big book I can't fathom anybody that don't read long thick books but I suppose I only hang around people with high IQ Levels if I hang around with anyone which is very very rare

[@katefernstrom2490]

I read lots of big, thick books. I have a master’s degree in English, and a not insignificant IQ (if you choose to measure level of intelligence that way). I read Anna Karenina at 14. Bulfinch’s Mythology was my favorite 12th birthday present. I’ve read Origin of the Species FOR FUN. I despise Donna Tartt’s STYLE of writing. I’m not going to say she’s not a good writer. For me she’s just an UNREADABLE writer. She bogs down too much in minutiae. So does another (in my opinion) overly lauded writer, Joyce Carole Oates. Lots of people love her books. I find them tedious; a slog if you will. Not why I read. The DENSITY of the book isn’t what makes a good book. Characters, dialogue, scene setting, evoking something besides BOREDOM are far more important. Your comment was rude. Perhaps you’re not as smart as you think you are.

[@goadken]

Agreed. Thanks for putting out your honest opinion, as always... Maybe you can save someone the trouble. Maybe you can make someone read it just to see if they agree or not. Either way... :P

[@biohazard5755]

I like your honesty. It is nice for a change that someone expresses that.

[@carolpascua1848]

"This is one of those art films ..." 😂😂😂😂😂😂 That is so on point!!!

[@raphlecia]

i totally understand how you feel! i think it's one of those books that people like or dislike even if what they hear about it is generally their cup of tea. some find it too long, the plot too thin, the characters too awful to put with. but personally i really loved it. i only ever heard of it by name and reputation, and knew nothing else. so i wasn't sure to expect of the plot or the characters. for me, when it comes to the characters, even if they are insufferable i really enjoyed reading about them and reading their interactions with each other because i love the dynamic donna tartt had crafted for them, and i love the way she writes dialogue. i don't if there is a fandom space for the book, but from the way i've seen people talk about it, i feel like i'm the only one who sees how funny the characters or dialogue can be, or how funny a situation/moment can be, like the funeral or the reception chapter. it might just be my sense of humor, but many scenes played out like the arsenic and old lace movie starring cary grant, or something akin to an episode of addams family because of the facade they are so hell-bent in keeping up despite the trouble they've put themselves in -- it was almost like a screwball comedy at times, or like an episode of gossip girl but in the 80s without the headbands and flip phones (and how i feel about gossip girl is the same with how you feel about the book lol). and regarding how insufferable they are, usually that is the breaking point for me. because i enjoyed how immersive her writing was, the plot, the structure, even when the characters are being terrible people i was invested because i wanted to see if they were as smart as they thought they were, i wanted to see if they could get away with it, i wanted to see how they managed to get away with it, i wanted to see how it affected their dynamic. if everything about the writing was terrible, or the bad outweighed the good, the characters being unbearable would be the last straw. like, i watch nbc's hannibal and john water movies, terrible characters don't faze me easily. henry IS terrible but the way he tries to appear so stoic and nonchalant despite smoking four packs a day in anticipation for a verdict on the cause of death is so funny to me, especially with the knowledge that he's only 20 years old. and i think about the scene at the search party where frances and herny bicker about a donut all the time -- i read the book for the first time in 2022 and i literally think of frances saying "i don't want a damn donut!" once a day, they sound like a divorced couple who remained friends and always talk like they're arguing even when they're not. so ridiculous! the way they are so self-centered and make the task of getting away with murder seem like an inconvenience at best really engaged me as a reader, because of the way they unabashedly say things out loud that most people would have as an impulsive thought, or most people are afraid to say because it's too mean or too cruel or too out of line.

[@Eve.N1782]

Can I just compliment you on your looks? Not in the freaky "will you Mary me" kinda vibe. But just an honest compliment. I have been watching your video's for a short period of time. But your looks are really beautiful!! I like your make up style, it looks simple and not to much but it compliments your hair and skin tone so well!!! It makes me kinda jealous 🤭 I wish I knew which colors and hairstyle would compliment me. And then the confidence you have. You are an inspiring young woman! Thank you for being you. 🙂

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

This is too sweet! Thank you so much!

[@creepydani3225]

I think i would also have felt frustrated if I read the hard copy, but as an audiobook, this was actually great. I think it's just a great template for the dark academia genre. It is my second favorite book of the genre. Bunny is the first. And i do think if you don't like flourishy writing and want something more fast paced and unhinged, this one will definitely provide that (if you haven't already read it). The characters aren't particularly likeable though.

[@kbennett2587]

I'm so happy you are doing your own path. I know you have struggled. So, I'm happy you're making videos agian. Keep up the good work.

[@liddybird3608]

This is how I felt about an old tv show called "Seinfeld". We were supposed (apparently) to be laughing at the characters, not with them, but I just ended up not liking any of them and gave up on the series after two episodes. Still don't understand why it was so very popular.

[@mirroredhour]

Agree so much with you, olivia!! Read this back when I was on Tumblr and had mutuals who were so into it, but I didn't share the same passion. Read it once and have rarely thought about it since.

[@VeraGolosovaArt]

I approached reading this book very cautiously as yeah, overhype sucks. It quickly turned out that I am reading this book as a mom of a 7yo boy who eventually will be young man and will have his choices to make. And it pained me so much how actually neglected and lonely these characters were (and this neglect was sooo well written). Their best shot at a significant adult in their life was a teacher with questionable ideas. When I was of university age, I did my share amount of crazy stuff, but I always knew if I am lost or confused I can come to my parents (divorced but still) and talk with both of them of the stuff that bother me. And in the book non of them were equipped with knowledge of how to deal with well becoming adult. Thank you for the video ❤️

[@Blagraite]

I never even heard about this book before 😅, so yeah, I did not even knew people were crazy about this book 🤷🏾‍♂️😅. I just like your reviews on books, that is why I watched this videos though!

[@shim-kyu6811]

Girl, I love to hear your opinions on books. It's always a treat, if you feel like doing more, here is one seal of approval ^.^

[@nebaidossarkans3306]

I ALSO DIDN'T LIKE THE SECRET HISTORY I'VE BEEN SCREAMING INTO THE VOID I'll tell you what I didn't like after I watch the video ;]

[@IvyTheOccultist]

Omg noooooo. I haven't even watched the video yet but this is next on my TBR list 😂

[@dearsleepingflower]

I really like the way that you negatively review books. You acknowledge what was done well, if anything was, and you stay really respectful with how you discuss what you didn't like. And you have such a good mind for literary analysis (?) that I feel like you're able to understand what makes up an objectively good book. And you're comaprisons make it feel a lot more human and not overly logical lol. I don't know that I explained any of that well lol

[@sonkad2]

I never heard of this book and don't plan to read it but I absolutely LOVE your bookish videos! 🔥

[@violetrain28]

Kinda a shot in the dark here, but if you're in need of a book suggestion maybe try the author Haruki Murakami. His books are very weird and they don't necessarily have a satisfying ending (depending on your perspective) but they're a wild ride with interesting characters. My favorite of his I've read so far is Kafka on the Shore.

[@Artemis583]

I just did a search to see when this book was published, etc and one of the top results was a news op-ed from last year titled "The secret of The Secret History is that it's not good" so some people do agree with you 😂

[@kuraikohyuuga8381]

Same, it was such a chore to get through. Especially the second half

[@jojo_jm]

I have the same feeling about a lot of music (especially from doing a Bachelor of Music degree), like there are different kinds of metrics for describing the quality of any art, and we don't tend to incorporate that into things like movie ratings and book reviews. The entertainment value is super subjective and usually the thing people latch on to, while the depth of artistic messages can be satisfyingly executed and fascinating to analyze but that tends to appeal to a much smaller audience when there is no surface appeal to draw people into the deeper meanings. Then there are the amazing things that manage to balance surface appeal and thought-provoking depth, where you don't need to study them to think they are good, but if you do study them they just get better 👌

[@doIIcore]

i love book reviews, so watching one from my fav craft tuber is literally a dream. ik u post a bit of book reviews butttt i need moree

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

I'm doing a book vlog soon!

[@doIIcore]

@@TheWitchOfWonderlust awesome!!

[@ketangreenmateria8448]

Greetings Olivia and many thanks for your information. Well in my behalf I have not read the book and your expressions are interesting and respected.

[@hivemindgoblin8540]

As someone who also didn’t like The Secret History, you may Like “Name of the Wind” from the Kingkiller chronicles. It’s a fantasy series with great world building and an intriguing plot, but primarily it is a very character driven book. The characters, especially the main character, are all very witty and well written and it is incredibly entertaining to read! Despite being pretty big it got me out of a reading slump and is now one of my favorites~

[@icedmatchalatteM]

Omg whatttt!!!! I just finished this book today and it got me out of my reading slump 😭 but the characters were insufferable though I agree

[@PicassosSister-rj5zp]

I really appreciate seeing an honest review of The Secret History. I feel like a lot of reviews are forced, in a sense that if you don't like The Secret History, you're not a true academic. Which I don't think is true; I just really hate when people feel pressured into liking something they don't care about. If you did like the book, that's great, just don't force others to.

[@roseyherber]

If you haven't read The Atlas Six and the following 2 books, I highly recommend, the characters are sooo well written, explored, and the plot really drives characters to grow and evolve. It also talks about science and magic coming together and has some really interesting ideas that we could apply to real life 😀

[@amberlee6826]

Yessss more book videos

[@soylntgrnzppl]

I’m so surprised to hear that people love Secret History. You’re absolutely right, the characters are deplorable! I picked it up after The Goldfinch, which I found to be an infinitely better book.

[@venanciafox8765]

I think you might like "Death and Nightingales" by Eugene McCabe. It takes place in 1800s Ireland and is quite gothic, in my opinion. It's short (240 pages) and there's a 3-part miniseries for it too. The series is actually what made me want to read the book since it ends in uncertainty and you could cut the tension between characters with a knife.👀 But it's something that might interest you.☺️👍

[@witchofverdure]

I get you about over-hyping things. Everyone LOVES -enter media-, so I'll need to go feral over it as well? Then I...don't, and get let down more than usual. This is why with some things, I'll check it out once the hype dies down.

[@mariahgese3399]

living for this review

[@montanamiller948]

Peace and blessings to the chat

[@EnchantedRealm888]

I wholeheartedly agree with you on “the secret history” I actually failed to finish it despite trying to force myself to pick it up every few months but by then I had forgotten who’s who…

[@rachdoesmagic]

I've not read or heard of this book but I would love to know.... what lipstick are you wearing?

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

I don't know the color name but its one of those matte-stays by NYX:)

[@damilkk]

I finished it and thought it was a decent enough book, though midway, it did feel like it was dragging on. I also feel very, very sorry for the future classical studies students who are going to go to university simply because they loved this book so much. (I know of a couple)

[@chasbee]

Love how you said 'from a literary standpoint this book is so popular". Reminds me of being in high school when our advanced English teacher was shoving Steinbeck novel after Steinbeck novel down our throats. On about the third one - I forget which exactly - I had had enough of the godawful doom and gloom. I turned to my dad who was exceptionally intelligent, well read and a former English teacher himself, and asked "WHY do we have to read these horrible stories? Why not another author? WHY is THIS guy so celebrated??" Without missing a beat my dad replies "Because it's socially acceptable to say you like Steinbeck." ROFL! Never forgotten that after all these years! Kinda think you may be onto the same thing.

[@vladannovakovic1981]

Draga Olivija,21 vek knjige su zastarele.Volim da gledam internet-vlog.Sve u svemu uz kaficu prijatan vlog.Pozdrav !

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

Books are outdated…. What a strange thing to say 😂

[@kindly.cryptid]

I actually didn't know a ton about the book when i picked up other than people liked it. and it seemed to be in line with the vibes I already enjoyed. I really did love this book, I devoured it and it brought me out of my 10 year reading slump. i think i enjoyed it for the "no plot just vibes" aspect of it, and the characters were so unlikable that it was hard to look away, I think Donna Tart did a really good job and capturing that infatuation that Richard experiences and i was so wrapped up in it as well. I will agree that the middle dragged on, winter break was the absolute worse and i was kind of skimming at that point, but the climax really did take me by surprise. I also think it was interesting how she wrapped up each character shining a light on the fact that they are in fact just flawed people with money. Last thing, I enjoyed the writing style I felt like i was reading prose and it scratched my brain in a way that was hard to pull away from (plus i love to lean into retention every now and then).

[@faithcrisis2138]

If you're looking for a real historical take on a piece of Spanish history, check out Isabella: The Warrior Queen. It's a really interesting look at how Spain became as diverse and divided in the 14th and 15th century. It really is an awesome read

[@sonkad2]

I adore Supernatural! They will always be family 🥰

[@MarthaPennington88]

I actually DNFd this novel at 50% simply because as you said it dragged on. It should have been half the number of pages it was. I didn’t like the characters either but I also related to them all. I am the type person who can see myself even in people I don’t like which most people can’t but it’s a gift. Anyway, it is overhyped. This is why I stay away from internet hyped books. Public opinion more often than not sucks. I read this book because I was curious and I like the aesthetic. I refuse to read Fourth Wing. It’s the kind of trash I have no interest in experiencing. Great video.

[@Sabrina_d1]

I so want to know if you checked out Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. "Lesbian necromancers in space", Gothic horror, with amazing cover art. Character-driven, I think you'd say. Tropes stuck on their heads. Just curious. You don't have to like it or anything😄.

[@NYCHFAN]

I've never even heard of this book, lol! 😂

[@Zoth_Kia]

The book that I didn't like was catcher in the rye.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I tried listening to it and I absolutely hated the way she read her own book… but I do want to read it one of these days lol I feel like I would be there for the world moreso than the people…

[@elysethefloralninja]

W hat book is this? Like who wrote it? I so agree with you on character development.

[@JohnBogna]

I DNF-ed this years ago for pretty much the same reasons you mentioned. Did enjoy The Goldfinch, though, also by Donna Tartt.

[@LCtheCurious]

How interesting. I love The Secret History and have reread it several times over the years, however I have tried at least three times to read The Goldfinch and have never been able to make it even a third of the way through. This might be one of those either/or duos.

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

That's also what I'm finding, is that many people love one or the other it seems!

[@JohnBogna]

@@LCtheCurious that's so funny! Different things for different people, and that's totally cool. I think about giving The Secret History a second chance every so often, so I may do that soon.

[@Halfelfbloodelf]

I also super prefer character driven stuff! Don’t care how cool the plot is in a book, movie, or game; if I don’t like any characters, I’m out. I haven’t read or attempted to read this book, but tbh I’m at the point where the more popular a book is online and the more feral its following, the less I want to read it lol. I am also critical of what I read and very few super hyped books live up to the hype for me.

[@chrisdewey9386]

I completely agree, this isn’t a pleasant read, but man, it sticks with you like a bad dream.

[@hollo0o583]

I would really like to hear your opinion on interview with the vampire….

[@THEWEIRDOGOTHVAMPYREWITCH]

I can from a big way I've read all of Anne rice's books and watched both interview with a vampire and queen of the dammed both movies were very good my favourite is queen of the dammed Stuart Townsend hell yeah

[@vanessas6425]

I didn’t like it either. Started it waaaay back when in came out after trying to read the goldfinch….couldn’t for the life of me finish either of them. I thought the plot was very obvious…it’s like when everyone likes this one pop song you just hate 😂😅

[@DavidBridger1]

The Goldfinch was similarly hyped, and for me that was a firm DNF, so I don't enjoy her style and won't waste my time trying this one.

[@AzariaSpace1]

I truly laughed out loud at the climax. It just felt so unbelievable to me

[@marlenegoulet4548]

Brave new world is my favorite book!!! ❤

[@jozefnixmusic]

I feel the exact same way about this book lol😂

[@jenduck5520]

The beauty of opinions is disagreeing :) I picked up this book years ago, without any preconceived idea of what it was about and way before the internet hype as I just needed something to read on the train. And I was captivated. The really problematic characters (who are awful but I still found things to like/be interested in with each) the questions it forces you to ask about how people treat one another/why/dominance in relationships, the tension and - most of all - the atmosphere. I think you'd probably prefer Katy Hays' The Cloisters or Victoria Lee's A Lesson in Vengeance. Both have the dark academia vibe and interesting messages, but less florid writing styles (less genius) and more emotion and character-driven. Also modern/fast reads and all the better for it.

[@elinamakela8435]

I'm the same. I tried to read Finch in English and got exhausted 25 % in even though I'm invested in the MC and the plot. I started reading TSH in my native language because of the prose but NOPE.

[@elinamakela8435]

BTW Finch IS great, if you want to read something else by Donna, I'd read that. But the prose is at least as meandering.

[@charoraimondogarcia]

I actually think it's a character driven story, *because* it is a corruption story. The dinamics between the characters are the point, the plot it's just a conduct for that. And the point it's to hate them, like I get that it's not your thing, but it is the point. Also it is masterfully writen . I know, im a fan, I can't help myself. It's all so obsesive and adictive in the story and the writer makes you feel like that. It is one of those books you can disect to the word, and I love that. And yeah, It's one of my favourite books Also, you should read Ninth House, is dark academia with ocultism

[@shamodaya1758]

I guess it's kinda like the whole twilight fiasco, though am pretty sure this is nothint like twilight 😂 Thanks for the review Olivia❤

[@TraceWiley]

Oh its homework? There's stuff in the nerd sphere that is the same way. Like Dune. I keep trying to read that, and its not fun. I agree with your thoughts on Fourth Wing.

[@leonaos988]

Thank you... I did't finish it... never will... 😂

[@GrannyLinn]

I WILL NOT finish a book I’m not enjoying. I feel the same way that George W Bush felt about broccoli.

[@almanacofdreams967]

I'm not sure why this book is making a resurgence. It came out in 1992 and in many ways it is a 90's book with characters who aren't good people or very nice to each other. 90's pop culture was full of that stuff. I read it a year or two after it came out and couldn't put it down. I have no motivation to re-read it. I don't enjoy a lot of books now that I enjoyed in my 20's or even 30's.

[@alwayscuriousalwayslearnin]

I rarely read books any more , most for me are not that great but I do have many books that I have enjoyed in the past because I connect with the characters and the actual people in those books . It is much like watching a movie or TV show , I dont like it when I start reading and sure the writing is good but I dont connect with anyone in it , just like TV shows or movies that people have recommended to me and have taled about to other people ,I start to watch an episode and nah but I stick it out to the next episode and still nah ok I will give it another ep and on rare occasions it works but mostly..... no go in books that I have done my best to give it a chance and like I have found most are Nah not for me after the first few chapters, I think that its because of my age and life experiences so I don't even bother anymore that said I do reread the books that I have enjoyed over the last few decades, and sometimes I come out different feelings of the characters in those books understanding something new or differently

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

FWIW I read it before the internet existed and I didn't like it either

[@raquel5401]

I didn't either. I don't really care if she's a fantastic writer, the characters suck, and the blatant disregard for the value of life is despicable. And the story is just REALLLLLLLLLYYYYYY long. If I don't care about the characters at all, the plot won't pull me in. I only finished this one hoping something horrible would happen to all of them, no luck.

[@yourlocalwitchyfriend2722]

unrelated--- what lipstick are you wearing?

[@candynkeith]

I never heard of it.

[@THEWEIRDOGOTHVAMPYREWITCH]

If it isnt about vampyres im not interested in the book

[@veronica.theswamphag]

I read this book 3.5 years ago on audiobook while I was working landscaping and I just remember feeling like it was so different from anything I had ever read before, and noticing all of the things you mentioned about the writing style and characters and just being so engrossed in it, not necessarily in a white-knuckling the steering wheel leanigg forward with bated breath kind of way, but like, "where tf is she going with this?? I need to know" kind of way. I also think it was a bit anticlimactic but I think it was intentional, to really high light the emptiness and blind privileged pretentiousness that was a theme throughout the book, a kind of intense disillusionment, if that makes sense. I found the sort of meandering plot slow and unpredictable and I really enjoyed that. I thought about it a lot for a few weeks after I read it and was pretty fixated on it, as happens with me, but I am with you at still not quite understanding the "frothing at the mouth" fanbase. I always love your videos, glad and grateful you keep making what you enjoy :)

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

I bet you'd also like "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova if you enjoyed the slow moving pace, the bread crumbing of the plot and the beautiful and academic ambiance! If you haven't already read it!

[@veronica.theswamphag]

@@TheWitchOfWonderlust oooh thanks I'm definitely adding that to my list, I've been in the mood for that kind of thing lately actually 🖤

[@nebaidossarkans3306]

SPOILERS Aight. I also didn't like any of the characters. They're brats. Besides that though, I think the plot falls off. Because, they kill this guy, right? And I thought, oh so this is gonna follow this group of brats covering up for this murder. Maybe Bunny (was that his name, idk) is the one to uncover it all. That could be interesting. Having to side with this horrible character because he's the only one looking for the truth. But then, we completely forget about that murder and focus on this other murder. And, the police forgets about it, the characters forget about it... Why have that set up if you're not gonna do anything with it, right?

[@laurabowden5]

I didn’t like the Secret History much 😬. It reminded me a lot of Greek epics and the style in which they are written, and I think Donna Tart was intentional with that. I thought that was clever, considering the main character was studying Classics, however, I found it really hard to get through and it felt very long-winded. I did enjoy the ending though, it was very fast-paced and shocking.

[@sarahsqueerlibrary]

1000% agree.

[@alasch5859]

Hi olivia. Tapping in just to recommend you a book i think you would enjoy. Its called Piranesi by Suzanne Clark. Just trust me, a total stranger (?

[@lindamoore3530]

I have a hard time reading a book when I don't like any of the characters. I have DNF'd a few more lately, even an Agatha Chrstie....didn't even like the police officer. To many books and not enough time to read them all. 😊

[@erica.explores]

Books hyped on social media pretty much universally disappoint me, I just don't get it so I feel very similarly to you.

[@meirad20]

I probably wouldn't have read the book. I listened to the audiobook. Still didn't like any of the characters.

[@TC-cr2oy]

I get it. Everyone raves about Wuthering Heights and I hated the book. The characters were horrible and I didn't care what happened to them.

[@KelliFerSure]

The Secret History was my first foray into dark academia and I was obsessed. As I've read more, I've found other books that have made me realize my preferred styles of story telling, writing, plot development etc. and The Secret History doesn't quite fit that model for me anymore. I'm definitely not as in love with it as when I first read it but it will still be a favorite as it unlocked a certain part of my brain for me lol idk how else to describe it. I rated it 5 stars and would still rate it 5 stars simply for the nostalgia 🤷‍♀️

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

Totally valid, and I'd probably feel the same! There's defiantly a lot of books that I don't personally think I'd like to read anymore, or if I picked up for the first time now, I probably wouldn't like, but having it at the right time is a huge gamer changer for how we consume our books.

[@KelliFerSure]

@@TheWitchOfWonderlust that's exactly it, I read it at the right time for myself. I'm so glad to see you making reading content! Can't wait to see more 🖤

[@lynnsmith3995]

The movie came out forever ago and I avoided that also. Sort of like telling you to chew aluminum and love it. Nope.

[@dk-nb6cn]

Oh my god, thank you for this. I didn't finish the book because I couldn't stand any of the characters. Agreed as well that it's just too long and bland. I've expressed my opinion before and diehard TSH fans jump on anyone that doesn't like it, which is incredibly annoying. They're like "that's the whole point, you aren't supposed to like any of the characters". Like okay? I don't find any joy in reading books where there isn't even a single character I'm rooting for, I don't know how people do that.

[@StochasticGreen]

I didn't like this book, but it was a great book. 😂 I really don't get the hype, but it's genius. 😂 I wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't say not to read it 😂 I've never heard of this book and I'm not sure whether I'm intrigued to read it to now 😂

[@nairbvel]

We are each an individual unto ourselves. It doesn't matter that this book (which I admittedly have not read) is beloved by "The Internet" -- you have your own likes & dislikes, and you are completely entitled to your own feelings & reactions. And no, you didn't slander the book or the author. :-)

[@nikibasilius4787]

i thought i was the only one who didnt like it! thank you! im not crazy

[@StrangeAnd_Unusual]

i haven’t even watched the video yet but i just want to say i’m glad to see someone who agrees lmao

[@valeryburton5447]

i understand why you didnt like it based on what you said about the characters. I did enjoy this book a lot because i am more interested in the ambiance of it, how each places and scene is describe and also because i don't mind not liking the characters, i hated everyone of them. i just liked to see rich pretentious people lives sucks and unraveling all their twisted mind and flaws i think😅

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

I like this perspective! I did like the ambiance as well, and I think if you liked the academic and moody feel of it, if you haven't already defiantly try out "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova. I felt like it was just so beautiful to read and get lost within.

[@valeryburton5447]

@@TheWitchOfWonderlust i heard about it but have'nt read it yet. Ill give it a look!

[@ness-bt1gs]

i found it so uneventful 😭

[@katefernstrom2490]

I’m not the only one who has issues with Donna Tartt’s books!! She had a book out when I was doing my undergrad and one of my English professors LOVED her writing, praised it, recommended it, so I tried to read it. Unlike you I tossed it aside. I have a master’s in English and it reminds me too much of all of the reading and writing I had to do on “literary theory”. I have the same issue with a couple of overly hyped “literature” writers. I also don’t like Annie Proulx or Joyce Carole Oates. For similar reasons. Their writing , to me, is like pretentious “academic” writing. Too many words, saying not much. Also prefer character driven stories over plot. I’ll stick with characters I like even if a plot is tired, trite, obvious. If I don’t like the characters (books or film/video) you’ve lost me. I don’t care what happens to them. Very concise, honest, fair feedback. I usually end up not liking overly hyped books “everyone is reading”. Same for film/videos. Maybe I’m just not mainstream? Maybe I’m overly resistant to pressure to have to like something because everyone else is saying they do? Do they really? Or did someone tell them if they didn’t like it then they just “didn’t get it” and question their intelligence/taste/reason so now they are afraid to be honest?