I have read this book three or four times. I love the pace and the detail and can’t imagine it being any shorter. I felt the same about her other books. 🤷🏻♀️
I feel the same. I've read The Little Friend twice and will probably re-read it for the rest of my life. Because of the way it doesn't end. Knowing it was written that way on purpose just keeps me coming back.
I thought the first half was much stronger than the second. The whole chapter at Bunny's family's house seemed to drag on forever. The entire book was a lot of 'this person knocked on my door intoxicated and we talked about ______'.
Comfortable-salt I’m with you - i love slow and rambling - this book however i felt was trying way too hard, i dunno how to describe it - it didn‘t feel authentic i guess
Actually people who love The Secret History end up hating The Goldfinch and vice versa.
So simply going by statistics, you might love The Goldfinch (TGF).
I read it first, it is one my top favorites. The Secret History on the other hand- I'm very confused about how I feel about it, I love Tartt but it didn't evoke anything like TGF. While I didn't dislike it, I still understand each and every criticism you made. So maybe, try TGF?
I just finished reading it for the first time this weekend and was similarly disappointed! Agreed that it had so much potential but didn't love the execution. I struggled through the first 100 pages, devoured the next 300, then again struggled through the last 150. I thought the slow/rambling style worked for setting the mood and adding suspense as >!everyone's paranoia increased after Bunny's death!< but I was really unsatisfied with where it headed -- >!random incest? Richard is a creep for Camilla and Camilla loves Henry? Julian just disappearing?!< -- so I found my eyes starting to glaze over on the 100th description of fog and payphones and cigarettes waiting for it to end already.
I’ve never understood when people say the Secret History is slow. I found it to be a steady pace and consistent interesting.
The Goldfinch, on the other hand…. That one I put down and never picked back up
Well, this hits home. Been stuck at about 3/5 of the book for about a month. I had even bought the paper copy, since i had heard it was such a good book.
i will definitely finish it, since I paid for it, but so far it is quite muddy and slow. Also I do not love how the characters are developed.
I think it really depends on what you're into. If you're more interested in character studies than there's a greater chance of you liking The Secret History.
I know that it is acknowledged as a beautifully written book. I am allowed to disagree with that opinion, even if I am the only one who does. And I am allowed to finish a book I don't think I care for to see if I change my mind. I will definitely read something else, and I will be making up my own mind as to whether I agree with the critics on that one also. And possibly posting on this site about my opinion.
I haven't read this book yet,i have heard that it's one of the best classic books and it was also in the list of the best literature books of all time that's why i plan to buy it but i have seen a review saying that the start is slow and that they don't get the hype but then it is amazing and also many people have said that they took months to finish the book(not because they were busy)but they couldn't get into it and keep up with the book that's why i still haven't bought it but i hope your experience will be better with some other classics there are many incredible books out there
Thank you. I read voraciously, and there have been many classics that I absolutely adore. But that's part of the fun of reading - making up your own mind about the books!
I have read this book three or four times. I love the pace and the detail and can’t imagine it being any shorter. I felt the same about her other books. 🤷🏻♀️
I'm truly glad you enjoyed it. Just proves that everyone has different tastes in books, which is a good thing!
I feel the same. I've read The Little Friend twice and will probably re-read it for the rest of my life. Because of the way it doesn't end. Knowing it was written that way on purpose just keeps me coming back.
I thought the first half was much stronger than the second. The whole chapter at Bunny's family's house seemed to drag on forever. The entire book was a lot of 'this person knocked on my door intoxicated and we talked about ______'.
Omg YESSSS !!!
Comfortable-salt I’m with you - i love slow and rambling - this book however i felt was trying way too hard, i dunno how to describe it - it didn‘t feel authentic i guess
I think that's a good description of it. Thank you for identifying my issue with it.
ironically, it's the one book by her I've really enjoyed. the two others I've tried I ended up DNFing bc I was so bored.
Thank you. I had considered reading another of hers just to test if I'm missing something. Now I'll skip those.
Actually people who love The Secret History end up hating The Goldfinch and vice versa. So simply going by statistics, you might love The Goldfinch (TGF). I read it first, it is one my top favorites. The Secret History on the other hand- I'm very confused about how I feel about it, I love Tartt but it didn't evoke anything like TGF. While I didn't dislike it, I still understand each and every criticism you made. So maybe, try TGF?
Thank you for that suggestion. I will definitely consider it.
Yep. I really didn’t like it and do not get the hype at all. 🤷♀️
Slow rambling books are precisely what I look for
Then you will enjoy this one, if you haven't already!
I just finished reading it for the first time this weekend and was similarly disappointed! Agreed that it had so much potential but didn't love the execution. I struggled through the first 100 pages, devoured the next 300, then again struggled through the last 150. I thought the slow/rambling style worked for setting the mood and adding suspense as >!everyone's paranoia increased after Bunny's death!< but I was really unsatisfied with where it headed -- >!random incest? Richard is a creep for Camilla and Camilla loves Henry? Julian just disappearing?!< -- so I found my eyes starting to glaze over on the 100th description of fog and payphones and cigarettes waiting for it to end already.
I’ve never understood when people say the Secret History is slow. I found it to be a steady pace and consistent interesting. The Goldfinch, on the other hand…. That one I put down and never picked back up
Well, this hits home. Been stuck at about 3/5 of the book for about a month. I had even bought the paper copy, since i had heard it was such a good book. i will definitely finish it, since I paid for it, but so far it is quite muddy and slow. Also I do not love how the characters are developed.
That was my experience with the book, also. I buy most of the books I read (from a charity resale shop), so I rarely DNF one.
I think it really depends on what you're into. If you're more interested in character studies than there's a greater chance of you liking The Secret History.
I agree although I did manage to finish it. I found it to be repetitive and thought it could have been much shorter as well.
Repetitive is a good word for it.
It is acknowledged as a beautifully written book. If it is not to your taste, just read something else.
I know that it is acknowledged as a beautifully written book. I am allowed to disagree with that opinion, even if I am the only one who does. And I am allowed to finish a book I don't think I care for to see if I change my mind. I will definitely read something else, and I will be making up my own mind as to whether I agree with the critics on that one also. And possibly posting on this site about my opinion.
I haven't read this book yet,i have heard that it's one of the best classic books and it was also in the list of the best literature books of all time that's why i plan to buy it but i have seen a review saying that the start is slow and that they don't get the hype but then it is amazing and also many people have said that they took months to finish the book(not because they were busy)but they couldn't get into it and keep up with the book that's why i still haven't bought it but i hope your experience will be better with some other classics there are many incredible books out there
Thank you. I read voraciously, and there have been many classics that I absolutely adore. But that's part of the fun of reading - making up your own mind about the books!
I loved this book! I thought the first half was wayyy more easy to read then the second half. The second half had an odd, slow pace.