The Secret History by Donna Tartt: aesthetics and paranoia

Neha and Shruti discuss The Secret History, a book that has gained a cult following in the last few decades - and as we discuss the book, we start to see why. We talk about the characters, the atmospheric setting, and how Tartt brilliantly creates and sustains tension. We also provide some background for the book's classical allusions, and share all our theories about the book's shocking climax. And as always, we provide recommendations in our Shelf Discovery segment for books to read next if you loved The Secret History, based on the aspect of the novel that you loved most.

What is the significance of the line 'Beauty is terror'? Which character functions as a cult leader? What is dark academia? You'll find all this and more in this episode. True spoilers start at 19:20

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Books Mentioned & Shelf Discovery:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Passing by Nella Larsen

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

The Idiot by Elif Batuman

Either/Or by Elif Batuman

Babel by R.F. Kuang

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Euphoria by Lily King

The Shining by Stephen King

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Links:

Once Upon a Time... at Bennington College

*We mistakenly stated that Icarus is a god; Icarus in Greek mythology is the son of a craftsman.

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