The Secret History by Donna Tartt: aesthetics and paranoia
The Novel Tea · Shruti Koti, Neha Ambati
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Show Notes
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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