The Secret History - Donna Tartt

The Secret History follows the story of Richard Papen's year at a New England college as he finds himself rapt with fascination over the group of Classics students who on the surface seem perfectly exquisite with intellect and New England charm, but find themselves descending into tragedy following a disastrous attempt of Dionysus worship. Events play out until it is revealed why the novel opened with the initial discovery that the group murdered one of their fellow intellects, a friend, Bunny, and then continue to display how the murder rots their friendships, lives and sanity, reaching a climax worthy of a Greek tragedy. It is not a who-dun-it story, but a why-dun-it.

The story itself is clearly a "triumph of barbarism over reason", showing how the extremist thoughts, combined with the ultimate charisma, of Henry collide to lash out into complete catastrophe for an emotionally distraught group of young, languid friends. The significance of Greek mythology and tragedy is of ultimate importance to the entire novel, with the barbarism and inhumanity of the myths and gods constantly reflecting the events, while through implementing Latin and Greek phrases throughout, along with the teachings of Plato and others, an air of mystery and questioning morality is contained inside each event and narrative of each character. Whether that be the issues of alcohol and sexual attraction that are struggled with within the devilish Charles, or the borderline-sociopathy of Henry, through to the controversial homosexuality of Francis,each character holds it's own 'Fatal Flaw' that will become the downfall of their entire existence.

The Fatal Flaw, afterall, is the theme the entire novel is ultimately addicted to. And while each may have their own, Richard Papen shares his with the novel, and perhaps the novels most addicted readers; A morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.