The Secret History

not one of my favorites, a little slow moving.

All time favorite book I have read several times. Great to hear the author read it.

This is one of the best mystery stories ever written. I read it many years ago and decided that since I could not remember the plot, that it would be a good piece of escapism and it was. The plot is intricate and the characters fully developed. I finished listening it a few days ago and find myself thinking about the various characters - not all nice people but interesting and some times blood curdling. Highly recommended. The narration, by the author, was really excellent.

Absolutely riveting. I loved it and loved the narration by the author, too. Only he author can ever really narrate the manner of speak intended. Some hilarious phrasing in the midst of horrors. I hated for it to end and am immediately ordering another from Donna Tart.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book. At first the narrator (the author) turned me off but slowly I was pulled in. The story grows and wraps around you in such a totally perverse manner. Absolutely brilliant.

The Secret History has been my favorite book for the past 7 years. The language is beautiful and mesmerizing. I challenge anyone to start this book and not go to bed thinking about it. Told in hindsight, the story jumps around a lot in a teasing sort of way. Donna Tartt is a master of the English language. She also happens to narrate the book. It allows the full intent of the novel to be expressed in her intended way.

Creepy & bizarre.

Crap. Not worthy!

Best novel I’ve read in a long time, this book is a classic, a literary gift that leaves you thinking and pondering the aftermath long after it’s over - felt like required high school book reading but in the best way. Donna Tart’s narration is 10/10, comforting

This book was just too depressing for me. Murdering people getting away with it is terrible.

Donna Tartt never disappoints. I thoroughly enjoyed this meandering, slow, big, artistic, slice of life mystery. I love listening to the author, however the main characters are male and DT has a higher pitched feminine voice. She actually does a fantastic job and by the end I couldn’t imagine any other man or woman reading it, but it took a minute. I enjoy listening at 1.5-2x speed and it’s more difficult with higher toned voices. But she really does get into each character. It just takes a bit to get her voice as the voices. Now I wouldn’t want to hear it from anyone else!

Well-written, beautiful prose, but pretentious unlikeable characters, self absorbed and out of touch with reality. Somewhat slow moving plot, lots of circular conversations—requires more patience and thought than I could muster. Not having gone to an elite school or even knowing anyone who has, nor seeing any appeal in studying ancient classics—it felt snobby and stereotyped in the characters. We are supposed to, I think, best relate to Richard, but I can’t imagine wanting to be part of that world. While I loved The Goldfinch, this was big departure. I understand the dark appeal, but it wasn’t for me.

Had me in the edge of my seat.

I thought the book rather boring and boorish and the naration was done is such a monotone that made it seem endless and more boring.