The Secret History

“Wow.” That was my first thought after finishing this novel. First of all, how the heck does one write a book thicker than a dictionary with 628 pages that is only eight chapters? Some of those chapters could be books in and of themselves. But aside from that, I love Donna Tartt's writing. Her words for me, float beyond the page- they are truly made of that magical quality Stephen King was referring to when he said “books are magic”. I was impressed by how realistic and honestly horrible the characters were. There was a lot of beauty to be found in the darkness and despair. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Tartt does not shy away from harsh and real topics such as addiction, depression, suicide, racism and homophobia. Her characters are impeccably flawed and exceptionally interesting. All the events in ‘The Secret History' could happen in real life, yet the story has a big element of the world beyond, of ghosts, and gods from the classics. Truly a reflection on real life. On one hand we have matter, what we can touch and see and explain. And on the other hand we have emotions, visions and dreams that can convince even adults that magic exists, and is within all of us.