Summary
The Secret History by Donna Tartt is a modern classic that took the literary world by storm when it was first published in 1992. This debut novel became an instant bestseller and established Tartt as one of the most talented writers of her generation. Set at an elite New England college, the book follows a group of eccentric classics students who become entangled in a web of secrets, obsession and ultimately murder.
Tartt's atmospheric prose and intricate plot have earned The Secret History widespread critical acclaim. The novel is credited with popularizing the “dark academia” subgenre and continues to captivate readers nearly 30 years after its initial release. With its exploration of beauty, morality and the dangers of unchecked intellectualism, the book offers a haunting meditation on the human capacity for both good and evil.
While The Secret History has never been adapted for film or television, despite several attempts over the years, its influence can be seen across popular culture. The novel's enduring popularity speaks to its timeless themes and Tartt's masterful storytelling. For many devoted fans, The Secret History has proven itself as the definitive campus novel and a mesmerizing journey into the dark side of knowledge and ambition.
Plot
Richard Papen, a student from California, transfers to the elite Hampden College in Vermont to study literature. He becomes intrigued by an exclusive group of classics students led by their charismatic professor, Julian Morrow. After helping the group with a translation, Richard is accepted into their inner circle, which includes twins Charles and Camilla Macaulay, Francis Abernathy, Henry Winter, and Edmund “Bunny” Corcoran.
As Richard grows closer to the group, he notices odd behaviors and tensions, particularly between Henry and Bunny. During winter break, Richard nearly dies from hypothermia but is saved by Henry. Later, Richard learns a shocking truth: the group, minus himself and Bunny, had participated in a Dionysian ritual that resulted in the accidental death of a Vermont farmer. Bunny discovered their secret and began blackmailing them.
Unable to meet Bunny's escalating demands and fearing exposure, the group decides to murder him. During a hike, Henry pushes Bunny into a ravine. The friends join search parties and attend Bunny's funeral to maintain their cover. However, the strain of their actions begins to take its toll. Francis becomes increasingly hypochondriac, Charles descends into alcoholism and abuses Camilla, and Richard develops a pill addiction.
The group's fragile equilibrium is shattered when Julian discovers the truth and abruptly leaves the college. Charles, consumed by jealousy over Henry's relationship with Camilla, attempts to shoot Henry but accidentally wounds Richard. Henry then takes his own life to protect the others. In the aftermath, the group disintegrates: Charles runs away, Camilla becomes a recluse, Francis is forced into an unhappy marriage, and Richard graduates as a lonely academic, haunted by his experiences and unrequited love for Camilla.
Themes
Moral corruption and descent into evil
Elitism and social class in academia
Obsession with beauty and aesthetics
Disillusionment and loss of innocence
Influence of classical studies on modern life
Secrets, lies and the burden of guilt
Dysfunctional relationships and group dynamics
Setting
Set in the mid-1980s, The Secret History unfolds primarily at the fictional Hampden College, an elite liberal arts institution nestled in the picturesque landscape of Vermont. The novel's backdrop reflects the idyllic New England setting, with its changing seasons and isolated academic environment serving as a stark contrast to the dark events that unfold within the story.
While the majority of the action takes place on Hampden's campus, the narrative also briefly shifts to other locations. These include Richard's hometown of Plano, California, which he leaves behind to pursue his studies, and Rome, Italy, where some of the characters spend their winter break. These geographical shifts help to highlight the cultural and socioeconomic disparities among the characters.
The story's setting is not just physical but also intellectual, with much of the action revolving around the classics department and its small, exclusive group of students. The rarified atmosphere of academic pursuit, particularly the study of ancient Greek and Latin, creates a unique environment that feels both timeless and disconnected from the contemporary world. This isolation plays a crucial role in fostering the intense relationships and dangerous dynamics that drive the novel's plot.
Characters
Richard Papen: The narrator and protagonist. A working-class transfer student from California who lies about his background to fit in with his wealthy classmates. Richard is drawn into the group's dark secrets and becomes complicit in their crimes, struggling with guilt and moral ambiguity throughout. Despite portraying himself as an innocent bystander, he proves to be deeply flawed and values appearances over ethics.
Henry Winter: The unofficial leader of the group and Julian's favorite student. A brilliant polyglot and published author from a wealthy family, Henry is charismatic yet cold and calculating. He masterminds Bunny's murder and shows little remorse, ultimately taking his own life to protect the others.
Charles and Camilla Macaulay: Charming orphaned twins from Virginia with a complex, possessive relationship. Charles descends into alcoholism and violence after Bunny's death, while Camilla becomes increasingly calculating. Their relationship is tinged with hints of incest.
Francis Abernathy: A wealthy, hypochondriac student from an old money background. Francis struggles with his sexuality and mental health throughout the novel. He provides his country home as a sanctuary for the group.
Edmund “Bunny” Corcoran: The murder victim. Despite appearing jovial and scholarly, Bunny is actually egotistical, immature and bigoted. He blackmails the group after discovering their first murder, leading to his own demise.
Julian Morrow: The eccentric classics professor who teaches only a select group of students. Julian's teachings heavily influence the group's actions, but he flees when he learns of their crimes.
Judy Poovey: Richard's dormmate who has an unrequited crush on him. She serves as a connection to campus life outside the insular classics group.
Dr. Roland: An elderly psychology professor for whom Richard works as a research assistant. He represents the mundane academic world the group scorns.
Quick facts
The novel was originally titled The God of Illusions before being changed to The Secret History.
It took Donna Tartt nearly 9 years to write the book, which she began while still in college.
The fictional Hampden College is based on Bennington College, where Tartt attended in the 1980s.
Several characters are loosely based on real people Tartt knew at Bennington, including her classics professor.
The book's first printing was an unusually large 75,000 copies for a debut novel.
Tartt's college friend Bret Easton Ellis is one of the novel's co-dedicatees.
The novel has been credited with popularizing the “dark academia” literary subgenre.
The story was partially inspired by Euripides' Greek tragedy The Bacchae.
Despite its popularity, Tartt has resisted allowing film adaptations of the novel due to her dissatisfaction with The Goldfinch movie.
About the Author
Donna Tartt is an acclaimed American novelist born in 1963 in Greenwood, Mississippi. Her literary career began early, with her first poem published at age 5 and her first sonnet appearing in the Mississippi Review when she was just 13. Tartt's precocious talent was recognized by prominent writers like Willie Morris and Barry Hannah during her time at the University of Mississippi.
After transferring to Bennington College, Tartt honed her craft alongside future literary stars like Bret Easton Ellis and Jonathan Lethem. Her debut novel The Secret History, published in 1992 when Tartt was 29, became an instant critical and commercial success. She followed this with The Little Friend in 2002 and The Goldfinch in 2013, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Tartt is known for her meticulous writing process, typically spending about a decade crafting each novel. Her work has been translated into over 40 languages and has earned her numerous accolades, including the WH Smith Literary Award and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. In 2014, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Despite her literary fame, Tartt maintains a private life and rarely grants interviews. She has lived in various locations including Greenwich Village, the Upper East Side, and Virginia. A convert to Catholicism, Tartt has written about the role of faith in her creative process while cautioning against imposing one's beliefs directly in fiction.
