The Secret History by Donna Tartt

From the Publisher

The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.

In this brilliant debut novel, Donna Tartt gives us a richly textured and hypnotic story of golden youth corrupted by its own moral arrogance.

Richard Papen had never been to New England before his nineteenth year. Then he arrived at Hampeden College and quickly became seduced by the sweet, dark rhythms of campus life — in particular by an elite group of five students, Greek scholars, worldly, self-assured, and at first glance, highly unapproachable.

Yet as Richard was accepted and drawn into their inner circle, he learned a terrifying secret that bound them to one another ... a secret about an incident in the woods in the dead of night where an ancient rite was brough to brutal life ... and lead to a gruesome death. And that was just the beginning ...

Publishers Weekly

. Entertaining, evocative first novel; 12 weeks on PW 's bestseller list. (Oct.)

Library Journal

This well-written first novel attempts to be several things: a psychological suspense thriller, a satire of collegiate mores and popular culture, and a philosophical bildungsroman. Supposedly brilliant students at a posh Vermont school (Bennington in thin disguise) are involved in two murders, one supposedly accidental and one deliberate. The book's many allusions, both literary and classical (the students are all classics majors studying with a professor described as both a genius and a deity) fail to provide the deeper resonance of such works as Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose . Ultimately, it works best as a psychological thriller. Expect prepublication hype to generate interest in this book and buy accordingly. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/92.-- Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass.

Product Details

• Reading Group Guide

Reading Group Guide

1. Richard states that he ended up at Hampden College by a
"trick of fate." What do you think of this statement? Do you
believe in fate?

2. When discussing Bacchae and the Dionysiac ritual with his
students Julian states, "We don't like to admit it, but the idea
of losing control is one that fascinates controlled people such
as ourselves more than almost anything. All truly civilized
people--the ancients no less than us--have civilized themselves
through the willful repression of the old, animal self"
(p. 38). What is your opinion of this theory? Are we all atracted
to that which is forbidden? Do we all secretly wish we
could let ourselves go and act on our animal instincts? Is it true
that "beauty is terror"?

3. "I suppose there is a certain crucial interval in everyone's life
when character is fixed forever: for me, it was that first fall
term spent at Hampden" (p. 80). Did you have such a "crucial
interval" in your life? What/when was it?

4. In the idyllic beginning it is easy to see why Richard is drawn
to the group of Greek scholars. It is only after they begin to unravel
that we see the sinister side of each of the characters. Do
you think any one of the characters possesses true evil? Is there
such a thing as "true evil, " or is there something redeeming in
everyone's character?

5. In the beginning of the novel, Bunny's behavior is at times endearing
and at others maddening. What was your initial opinion
of Bunny? Does it change as the story develops?

6. At times Bunny, with his selfish behavior, seems devoidof
a conscience, yet he is the most disturbed by the murder
of the farmer. Is he more upset because he was "left out" of the
group or because he feels what happened is wrong?

7. Henry says to Richard, ". . . my life, for the most part, has
been very stale and colorless. Dead, I mean. The world has
always been an empty place to me. I was incapable of enjoying
even the simplest things. I felt dead in everything I did. . . . But
then it changed . . . The night I killed that man" (p. 463). How
does Henry's reaction compare to that of the others involved
in the murder(s)? Do you believe he feels remorse for what he
has done?

8. Discuss the significance of the scene in which Henry wipes his
muddy hand across his shirt after throwing dirt onto Bunny's
coffin at the funeral (p. 395).

9. List some of the signs that foreshadowed the dark turn of
events. Would you have seen all the signs that Richard initially
misses? Or do you believe Richard knew all along and just refused
to see the truth?

10. Would you have stuck by the group after learning their dark
secret?

11. The author states that many people didn't sympathize with
Richard. Did you find him a sympathetic character?

12. What do you make of Richard's unrequited love for Camilla?
Do you feel that she loved him in return? Or did she use his
love for her as a tool to manipulate him?

13. Do you feel the others used Richard as a pawn? If so, how?

14. What do you feel is the significance of Julian's toast "Live forever"
(p. 86)?

15. The author mentions a quote supposedly made by George Orwell
regarding Julian: "Upon meeting Julian Morrow, one has
the impression that he is a man of extraordinary sympathy and
warmth. But what you call his 'Asiatic Serenity' is, I think,
a mask for great coldness" (p. 480). What is your opinion of
Julian?

16. Do you think that Julian feels he is somewhat responsible for
the murder of Bunny? Is that why he doesn't turn the group in
when he discovers the truth from Bunny's letter?

17. What causes Julian to flee? Is it because of disappointment in
his young protegees or in himself?

18. While the inner circle of characters (Richard, Charles, Camilla,
Henry, Francis, and the ill-fated Bunny) are the center of this
tale, those on the periphery are equally important in their own
ways (Judy Poovey, Cloke Rayburn, Marion, and so on). Discuss
the roles of these characters.

19. The rights for The Secret History were initially purchased by
director/producer/screenwriter Alan J. Paluka (All The President's
Men, The Pelican Brief), and they are currently with
director Scott Hicks (Shine, Snow Falling on Cedars). What
are your feelings about making the novel into a movie? Who
would play the main characters if you were to cast it?

20. What is the meaning of Richard's final dream?