Which Donna Tartt book to read first? archived
Jun 6, 2014 at 12:18pm
Not sure it matters. The Secret History is still my fave of hers, however.
I liked it better too, which is why I'd suggest reading The Goldfinch first, and then Secret History will be even better than the one you just read. And then you still have The Little Friend to look forward to.
The Secret History is one of those books that has stuck with me for years, in a good way.
Me as well. Didn't hurt that it came out my senior year of college, wrapping up an English degree.
I am in the middle of The Goldfinch -- I am really enjoying it I will be sad when I complete it . I will put The Secret History next on my list.
I loved the first third or so of The Goldfinch, then rather hated the rest. Did she have a better editor for The Secret History?
I couldn't get through The Goldfinch, I must admit. I felt the same way about The Little Friend. I'd REALLY looked forward to Goldfinch, but alas…
I am starting Goldfinch this week - hopefully. I hope the book lives up to the hype.
It's not getting a lot of love in this thread but personally I loved it. My one quibble (and it sounds more major than it is) is that the last 100 pages or so really needed much better editing. But I loved the rest of it so much that I forgave it.
I loved her other books as well, but this was so different from them, to me, that I don't think they can be compared.
I loved her other books as well, but this was so different from them, to me, that I don't think they can be compared.
I read the Goldfinch first and then read the Secret History. Honestly, I hated The Secret History. The Goldfinch was more balanced, though some aspects were overly contrived. Just as Tartt seemed to be overtly flaunting her Classics degree in The Secret History, she's a little heavy-handed with the art history in The Goldfinch. But she's definitely matured as a writer so it doesnt interfere with a compelling narrative, especially if you are a parent. Maybe if I had read The Secret History 20 years ago I would have a different opinion.
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Thx!