Richard Papen is from the suburbs of California. An only child with extremely toxic parents, he decides to escape by attending college on the other side of the country. Naturally his parents who only tolerate him, barely help. Once at Hampden he falls in with a group of privileged, entitled students, taught solely by a professor of the same caliber. Their curriculum revolving around learning the Greek language. Exceptions are made for them due to their teachers socioeconomic background. Every class they attend is with Julian, giving them an insular experience from the rest of campus.
At first Richard is rejected. Tenacious, he refuses to give up, weaseling his way in. Something he ends up regretting when the dark secrets of these five ethereal students starts spilling out. The book begins by letting readers know one of them, Bunny, is murdered. From there, Richard as narrator explains why.
The Secret History is crazy, filled with plot twists and although macabre, manages to be funny. An exploration on what happens when intellect and privilege are pushed to its boundaries. How far is too far in the pursuit of knowledge? Personally I loved this book, preferring it over The Goldfinch. A classic that’s worth the acclaim. The characters stain far after the book is over, so distinct in personality. This novel left me shocked to the core, a page turner and must read. Via: Goodreads