‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt

First published in 1992, Mississippi-born author Donna Tartt's first novel, The Secret History, is a resounding triumph. Beyond the unassuming black jacket, embellished subtly with an appropriate fresco, lies an intricate and meticulously constructed mega-novel; a thriller with ten times as much head and heart than one might expect of a thriller.

The Secret History is told from the perspective of Richard Papen, a California transplant matriculating at Hampden College, an elite (albeit fictional) liberal arts school in rural Vermont. Upon arriving he encounters an enigmatic, mysterious band of misfits studying Ancient Greek under an even more mysterious professor: the kindly Francis Abernathy; angelic seeming twins Camilla and Charles Macaulay (who I suspect have absolutely nothing to do with the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince of Wales); buoyant Bunny Corcoran, and the quiet, scholarly leader of this dysfunctional group, Henry Winter.

This is the most plot-driven book I have read of late, however this does nothing to detract from the sheer quality of the writing: Donna Tartt's prose ability is as accomplished as that of her storytelling. It is clear that Tartt has spent a long time harnessing her talent - she began working on The Secret History, originally titled 'The God of Illusions,' while still a student at Bennington College in Vermont, the alma mater of none other than Bret Easton Ellis, to whom the book is dedicated - and all of the time and effort has paid off tenfold. It is impossible to elaborate on the plot too much without spoiling the excitement, save for to say that Tartt skilfully up-ends the conventions of the traditional murder mystery, and the result is a book that is as entertaining as it is intelligent, as grim as it is touching.

The Secret History is a fierce, beautiful and tragic novel, one that I look forward to passing on to fellow book lovers. And it is, as the blurb so rightly states, truly deserving of the 'modern classic' accolade.

This piece was originally published on alisonlaurabell.tumblr.com in October 2011.