The REAL Locations from Donna Tartt’s The Secret History

[@thevegfriend100]

5:10 No way the owner/manager’s last name is Corcoran!!! I guess Bennington had a LOT of influence!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Ohhhh yes. She was USING her surroundings

[@meggie3141]

The podcast Once Upon a Time at Bennington College dives SUPER deep into Donna’s time at college and traces all of the places/people/experiences that ended up in the book! It also charts Bret Easton Ellis’ time there, too, since they were classmates. It’s gets very juicy, very chaotic, and really it’s just very cool to have like this weird behind the scenes knowledge of TSH & Less Than Zero - I recommend it! 💓

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oh baby, that pod is gonna accompany me when I return home next. I want that juicy gossip!!

[@bebopdestroyer4641]

before she got SUING

[@bebopdestroyer4641]

CEASE AND DESIST

[@tickledtodeath0]

Yep. I was just going to say the same thing. My roommate Madi is interviewed a bit and my name in mentioned because I did the illustration on Madi’s publication of Tartt’s Elvis in Hell story. Madi and I had/have? a band thing youtube.com/@JollyRamey

[@lilblondiee]

wait do you mean the one on spotify with the pink profile picture?

[@allywolken]

crazy how she rarely changed the names of the places and it makes it all the more real

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

right? When you're around the area, it feels like you are in the novel

[@theuberman7170]

The motel is much nicer then what I imagined.

[@ftlbaby]

This video is wonderful! I DNFd The Secret History about 90% in and have zero attachment to anything about it except the video interviews with Donna Tartt that reside here on YT. She is fabulous.

[@SavidgeReads]

F**king hell Anna. You’re just too good. Too good. Loved this. I’ve not read TSH for YEARS but it’s a book I don’t think I’ll ever forget and this brought all the feels back. J’adore. Loved the abandoned stadium. Wow. Thank you, from basic Simon.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

If you're Basic Simon, I'm the most basic. Love to you and your wonderful comment. It was a nice holiday pastime to drive around and film. The stadium is now an unlocked level for nightmares, though😳

[@juliak1615]

I second this! What a gem on KZbin. Brb re-reading The Secret History, on this perfectly bleak day.

[@lauraanne7108]

I visited Bennington College a few months ago as a prospective student, with my mom who went during the same time as Donna Tartt, and after visiting I knew I had to take my moms (and the entire internet book community) suggestion and read the book. I loved it and was picturing Bennington the whole time. Such a great video!!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

!!! wowowow. I can't tell you how amazing this comment is. Did your mother chat with Donna at all when they were students? And how amazing is Bennington's campus??! I feel like I'm not grounded in reality when I walk around there.

[@Montrealphotochick]

Im the mom!! Your video is a great visit through town and the locations in the book. Did you know the Blue Benn is now owned by a Bennington grad who is running it in the style it always was! I did not know Donna at the time. I was a couple years younger than her class but I did talk to Bret a few times. (Bret Ellis). I consider myself so very lucky to have gone to Bennington in the mid 80s. Bennington Alum are a super tight community which has been a wonderful part of my life. I majored in literature and early childhood studies. I had to laugh at Redeemed Repair making the video! Now I must reread Secret History. I don’t think I’ve read it since it came out. Best regards !!

[@Montrealphotochick]

And yes. Campus is dreamy!!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

@@Montrealphotochick I love this comment thread so much. Family affair!! How cool to talk to Bret!! I am completely fascinated by Bennington College, so it's so neat to hear your history with it. I didn't know that about Blue Benn, but I love it!! Thank you so much for dropping this comment

[@shawnmccomb]

I don’t think you understand…………………………………………………………………… I’m obsessed.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

very 👉👈, but

[@SeanPFarley]

This video is everything. Why it took me this long to stumble upon it with all my random rabbit-hole meanderings regarding Donna and this amazing novel, I couldn't tell you. But to see even just a few places from what is my favorite novel...well, I smiled the whole way through. Even with the abandoned race track. Donna's reference is the gun-shy greyhound Francis has, right? Anyway, thank you. I am in grad school at the stunning age of 48 and my creative thesis is a memoir anchored by The Secret History. Like Richard, I, too, moved from the bleak paths of California to the gloriousness of New England (not Vermont, sadly, but Boston). While there, at 21, suffering my own weird despair, I stumbled upon The Secret History in the library - and I have adored it ever since. Seeing pieces of it "live" in this video is such a treat!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

WOW! Oh my gosh, I love this story and I am so happy you found this video. Since making this video, I feel like my relationship to the novel has become even stronger. Congrats on grad school--it's a huge step and I'm sure you'll do amazing things : )

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Few places have as evocative an atmosphere for me than Vermont in the fall

[@r.enee.morris]

She goes above and beyond every time!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

She's gonna milk being from the area The Secret History is from every time 🤪

omgggg i love finding out tidbits about the novel's inspiration 🤩 kind of a long read but esquire's "the secret oral history of bennington" goes REALLY in depth about tartt's time at bennington and it's fascinating (and sometimes hilarious)

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Ooooh, I'd actually love to read that. I am absorbed by the atmosphere of this novel. So much mystique around it!!

[@LezjianJen]

This is freaking fantastic and made me giggle a few times! You rock!! Wow

[@Azidust]

I thought I was the only one obsessed with the location 😂😂

[@thebaileygrind]

Once again, a true masterpiece!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

You're amazing. Thank you.

[@Philmoscowitz]

Nice tour. I wish you had identified the Commons and the dorms the characters lived in.

[@karakask5488]

That was awesome! Thank you for doing this. Donna Tartt is one of my all time favorites, I got to meet her once, I made a fool of myself but she still signed my books, it was definitely a highlight of my life. This was such a cool idea for a video!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I have to know... is she short or tall?

[@karakask5488]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson She was slightly taller than me, so I'd say about 5'6" ish

[@sophiethepegasus]

Ana, wow, this blew it out of the park. This is GROUNDBREAKING and i love the energy you put into i.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you, thank you!! It was so much fun to see where the author takes inspiration.

[@mashaaa468]

Could anyone let me know the page number for the Hoosatonic Inn please? Great video by the way, now I can picture theses places in my head when I read the book!

[@JT33303]

Hi Anna, I’ve just finished the book this afternoon and it’s one of the best I have ever read. I’m stunned after seeing these places because in my imagination they’re just how I pictured them! Thank you and love from the UK

[@kutslife1960]

Wow. Watched this right after finishing the book and I praise you for bringing it to real life. This town is perfect and adds so much more to the book now

[@itssaiyana]

While watching this video, I thought about how pretty you are and how the warm, light energy of yours is. This video is perfect. Thank you! (I subscribe immediately)

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

😊😊😊 thank you, my dove!!

[@thedudecarrying]

Thank you for making this. Not sure where The Secret History ultimately lands on my ranking because months later I still have not recovered and/or wrapped my mind fully around that book but I do know that I love it. Speaking of catamounts, reminds me of North Woods by Daniel Mason (I think?). Amazing read from last year, suggest you check it out.

[@babysp1c3666]

I’ve had this book on my shelf for sooo long but I’m dying to get home and read it all ASAP after watching this

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

omg, snuggle up and flip those pages, baby!! it's your sign

[@babysp1c3666]

Finally a year later I’m reading it and feverishly returning to this video every so often to visualise it all! About 250 pages in and so many of these locations are unfamiliar to me so far and I’m so excitedddd for them to turn up😋

[@cathyg.9996]

I absolutely loved this video Ana! It was like being in the novel. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt and this was perfect ❤️ If she’s still writing one book every 10 years, then the next one will hopefully be out sometime in 2023. Did you read her other 2 novels?

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Thank you so much, Cathy! I haven't read the other two. I think I may be more inclined to pick up The Little Friend. Although, if a new book is due soon, maybe that one first :))

[@sixtodelgadosandoval5747]

Thank you so much for this. This is absolutely brilliant. I hope to one day visit, I've never been to the Northeast yet it's one of my biggest dreams in life.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Oh, you MUST come! Late September to October is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

[@thevibrantvixen]

😮 Ana! … you have outdone yourself! Blown away. Thank you. Perfection.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Thank you! I had a lot of fun with this one. Great holiday activity :)))

[@bloodandaces9693]

I knew it took place in a liberal arts college in Vermont but I somehow imagined the setting as a bit more gothic or romanesque? I guess I was imagining my own uni haha. A really great and descriptive video!! Love the pretty views!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I totally get what you mean. I think the last castle looking building is the main idea people have in their head. But it’s still so wild to me that these places fully exist!

[@Nastya_Suvorova]

god I need to reread this masterpiece now that I know what it really looks like😍 thank you thank you thank you!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

😊😊😊 thank YOU! 'tis the season to crack it back open

[@amesforbooks1343]

The lengths you will go to for your subscribers Ana...WOOF! I read TSH for the first time with Jaylen's bookclub and although I enjoyed it I was missing the deeper understanding and feel of the place that you have. Thank you so much for sharing (and for the maniacle cackles) 📚🎭

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Thank you for reading to join the bookclub. I hope you didn't mind me saying, "like" all the time in the live stream 🥲

[@tiachu]

One of my favorite books, thank you SOOO MUCCH FOR MAKING THIS VID WOW IM IN AWE

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I'm glad the novel was brought to life for you!! I agree, the novel is the best of the best

[@jackelinegomez806]

This was fantastic!❤

[@nailea9950]

Omg!!! I just started TSH I’m 200 pages in this is so perfect!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Let the locations guide you through, baby!!

[@HA-bh1wh]

Excellent

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

😍🥰

[@georgianatrutescu]

Lovely!! So nice to see all these places, thank you for sharing with us! Fab idea!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It was so much fun! (I wore the same outfit for 4 days straight shhhhh)

[@georgianatrutescu]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson Oh, my!! That's so funny, I couldn't tell there were multiple days shooting the video!! 😂

[@cosmoshivani]

so beautiful.. this had me crying 😭😭

[@boldbearings]

Great write up and presentation. You legit look like young Donna Tartt. If they do the bio, jump on that part. 🌟

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

omg, I've never gotten that! I'll take it!!

[@ofbooksandthings]

Dang, I didn’t expect it to be so remote and spaced out.

[@MahaAnasya]

so true, i imagined the buildings were closer to each other

[@staciave]

spectacular!! makes me wanna do my own lil walking tour

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

If you can find a place, I highly suggest. Shirley Jackson also based many of her novels around the campus/ Bennington, so it's got a lot of ~flair~*

[@ghitaelidrissi1]

amazing fkn video!!! and such a vibrant personnality, ty for this

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Love ya for that! Thank you!

[@kimberlyrichardson2848]

You’re freaking brilliant.😎

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

🤓 thank you so much

[@btamez7669]

i read the book for the live chat but this is beyond.... perfection!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Hope you enjoyed the chat! I was a bit nervous and over caffeinated, but it was so fun! 😋

[@btamez7669]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson I did!! thank you!!! i loved to listen you all of your opinions especially yours since your content speaks to me so much 💛🧡❤️

[@jobuckley2999]

Brilliant! Fun! Exciting! Loved it! Thanks Oleg. Oh. Ana you were pretty great too!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

HAHA round of applause for Oleg, the man behind everything

[@lisaplummer8144]

You spoil us rotten. ❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

only for you

[@lisaplummer8144]

@@AnaWallaceJohnson 😘

[@tnan123]

Beautiful tour. Thanks for sharing these places.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you for watching!

[@faezafaeza7798]

Been waiting 💝

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

she's here for you, bby

[@SchDari]

Thank you, so much!❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

[@libraryofjonathan]

Great video! I might have to look into reading The Secret History.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It's a fun one. Big 'ol book you can read in a week or so, if you're 100% in tune. Fun ride you won't regret even if you love or hate it

[@jolafaith]

Oh my god! This was wonderful!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you so, so much! I had a lot of fun making it!

[@SthethSavvy]

Wow, thank you so much ❤

[@rebekahmenn2118]

What a great video! I did not like the book at all, but I love this creative video.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Totally get it! I'm happy to provide at least some entertainment during the reading process

[@veroni1321]

Ana you impress me every time you are wonderful and fabulous as well

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ilysm you're making the tears flow

[@cindyo6298]

Oh I loved this!!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Thank you so much!

[@seashanties8927]

Adored this ❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you! adore your prof pic!

[@katheriner37]

Bravoooooo! Now I need to finish the book lol

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahaha! Just wait for a cold night and hunker down

[@NapoleanBuonaparte]

The first 30 seconds felt like Donna Tartt herself was speaking. I don't know if you did that deliberately or it was just by chance.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

By chance, but I’ll take that as a huge compliment-thank you :)

[@Joy-tq2de]

2:55 it’s Charles!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

he's always with us!

[@talianiwa]

what a video!! sooo cool

[@graceknuckey9909]

5:12 Redeemed Repair being owned by Steven Corcoran UMMM

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It's so wild to me that it's a fully functioning, actual place!!

[@jaynm]

wow the racetrack is beautiful.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I KNOW! I want to film more there

[@mame-musing]

Now I have to read the book sooner than later. This was a great video. (The other day I saw that Jenna Bush Hager just announced The Secret History is the next pick for her book club. Coincidence? 🤔 📚😎)

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Woah! Had no idea! She copied us ;) Great winter read!!

[@miss_piggyy]

great video❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

😍😍😍🤩 ily

[@SeanPFarley]

What about the Brasserie?!

[@CJReads]

This vid goes so hard

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

the ppl from the racetrack almost got me and this would've never happened

[@megkennedy2626]

so cool

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

It was so fun!

[@gmv17]

this is so good

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

thank you so much :-)))

[@czowiekpismo9541]

As an European no thanks, I prefer all the places I've imagined 😅

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Haha! I feel you! Let that imagination run free

[@thomasseabolt9385]

You comment 'how these characters deviated from my own world'... Well not from mine. TSH literally hit home.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Really? You know Tartt at all??

[@SpringboardThought]

Hah so fun!

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

boppin and hoppin around!

[@jennymcevoy8961]

❤❤❤

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

ilysm!

[@ahleahhook9791]

its like Forks Washington for the DA minded

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

haha there ya go!!!

[@lauradone9232]

I read the secret history this year, honestly...wasn't the biggest fan. It was fairly misleading and had the most insufferable characters. This video definitely lines up with what I had in my head when I was reading though 👍🏼

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Totally understand your points! At least, you know your inner narrative during the reading was 100% spot on

[@alsopato]

holy shit

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

loved you on the livestream, bby. voice of reason

[@francisconogueira6850]

This content is for free but should be paid .

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I'll start charing for walking tours : )

[@inhale.exhale.2527]

laikan gallant! that's far better than clark kent. 😁

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahaha I agree!!!

[@loukiadams5340]

I love this, AWJ! But unfortunately, I did not love The Secret History at all. Tartt writes the characters very well and they're supposed to be clever, and yet the dialogues that they say are dumb and vacuous. And Julian was described as charismatic, and yet where's the charisma? I've also read The Goldfinch, and just like TSH, it gave me NOTHING...

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I love this comment! I wanna hear other takes on the novel and what was a high or low point for the reader. Julian is one of the most abhorrent characters in literature for me, so I definitely agree. I think the depth of the main characters felt purposely shallow, as they're children (though old enough to be adults) cosplaying as heroic intellectuals that they have no right being! If that all makes sense!

[@zia9861]

i love this so much i need to throw up

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

hahaha I've got the barf bag ready, baby

[@5hif7yx86]

was recommended this video by the youtuber @honorluca. Its great. Subbed for sure.

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

Thank you so much! She's iconic!

[@username_123]

damn, you are beautiful

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

oh wow, thank you so much--warms my heart

[@xgrayvision]

this is absolutely amazing! thank you for your service 🫡

[@AnaWallaceJohnson]

I sweat and cried to make this, so I'm happy you enjoyed 🤪🤪