I finally read The Secret History this year, and was really surprised that I found the writing quite accessible. A lot of people talk about it being difficult because it has so many references. But she explained all of the references, either directly or with context. The story structure was somewhat non-traditional but not especially hard to follow. I think a lot of people get in their heads about this for superficial reasons. But maybe I just had educational experiences that primed me to be comfortable with the text. I probably underestimate my knowledge of literature. I neither loved nor hated it. I appreciate it for its influence.
Yes. Donna Tartt explains many of her references, but you probably underestimated your knowledge of literature. I’m glad to hear that you read it without falling into prejudices. It’s a cool book to study! 😉
My mom had a friend who used to send us boxes full of books. He and his wife were both bookworms and they had to occasionally purge their house to make room for more books. The Secret History was in one of those boxes we received. I wasn't sure if I would ever read it, but maybe I will now because of your video. Btw, I love your red turtleneck.
Happy new year mrs Eva . Iam Arabic lady subscriber to several British and American UA-cam channels. I sent comments to you before . Thank you for your wonderful cultural literary channel. In the past only travel aboard or looking for books to learn new information. Nowadays UA-cam channels as open universities for every one, google is our library. I gathered main information about topic you mentioned briefly here it’s American modernism is movement in general is trend of philosophical thoughts arising from widespread changes in culture and society in age of modernity . American modernism is artistic and cultural movement in USA beginning at turn of 20 th century, core period between world war 1 and world war 11 . Like European counterpart, American modernism stemmed from rejection of enlightenment thinking, seeking to better represent reality in new more industrialized world . In early 1940s modernist writers in general rebelled against clear cut story telling and formulaic verse from 19 th century.
I gathered main theme of novel secret history and author biography briefly here it’s the novel was debut novel of author . Plot summary in New England , campus novel tells story of closely knit group of six classic students at hampden college small elite liberal arts college located in Vermont based upon Bennington college where tartt student between1982and 1986 . In reception book received generally positive reviews from critics. The novel has been tapped by several filmmakers in decades since it released for possible films or television adaptation however all have been unsuccessful. Donna tartt ( born in 1963 ) she is an American novelist, essayist. Her novels secret history , little friend and goldfinch which has been adapted into 2019 film of same name . She was included in time magazine 100 most influential people list . She won notable awards such as wh smith literary award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Andrew Carnegie medal for excellence in fiction. Thank you for giving us chance to read learn new information improve our English as well . Iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English as none native speakers. Best wishes for you your loved ones.
This is a brilliant video! Do you know of any other modernist pieces of literature that you would recommend after reading The Secret History, or that too share themes of spiritual decline or as you put it, 'spiritual homelessness'? Something like Nietzsche's "God is dead", or someone who I've recently been getting into lately, James Hogg. If you know of any postmodern literature as well I would be happy to hear any recommendations, cause I've only just started learning about it in my Media Studies course. Thank you so much for this in-depth video!
Thank you for your comment ❤️. Most modernist works tackle the theme of spiritual homelessness. I recently read Flannery O’Connor’s The Violent Bear It Away, and the main theme is spiritual homelessness. It’s a very neat novel, but check the trigger warnings. There’s also Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio. I loved that book, but I think most people would not like it because of the way it is written. The book contains different short stories intertwined thematically and through some characters, but you must read it like a novel because there’s only one resolution and the end. The writing is beautiful and it conveys most of the themes of the modernist period. As for postmodernism, I haven’t read many works, but I think the Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is a good start. I hope this is useful. Good luck with your course!
Greetings, I am not really versed in the world of literature so I was under the impression that the book academics agreed most of the time about things I am surprised that they were not, so I guess the literature world is like the science one where there is a lot of disagreement on things.
As a literature student, sometimes it can be very confusing. Imagine studying a book from a perspective and then having another professor that teaches the same novel but asks you to completely disregard that perspective and learn a new one 🤣.
What do you think about The Secret History? 👀
I finally read The Secret History this year, and was really surprised that I found the writing quite accessible. A lot of people talk about it being difficult because it has so many references. But she explained all of the references, either directly or with context. The story structure was somewhat non-traditional but not especially hard to follow.
I think a lot of people get in their heads about this for superficial reasons. But maybe I just had educational experiences that primed me to be comfortable with the text. I probably underestimate my knowledge of literature.
I neither loved nor hated it. I appreciate it for its influence.
Yes. Donna Tartt explains many of her references, but you probably underestimated your knowledge of literature. I’m glad to hear that you read it without falling into prejudices. It’s a cool book to study! 😉
My mom had a friend who used to send us boxes full of books. He and his wife were both bookworms and they had to occasionally purge their house to make room for more books. The Secret History was in one of those boxes we received. I wasn't sure if I would ever read it, but maybe I will now because of your video. Btw, I love your red turtleneck.
Thank you! ❤️ Do read it! Even if you end up hating it, it would not be a waste of time 🤣
The Secret History is a Southern Gothic novel set in New England.
Hi Eva, I own The Secret History but have not read it. Your video has made me interested in adding it to my TBR
Happy new year mrs Eva . Iam Arabic lady subscriber to several British and American UA-cam channels. I sent comments to you before . Thank you for your wonderful cultural literary channel. In the past only travel aboard or looking for books to learn new information. Nowadays UA-cam channels as open universities for every one, google is our library. I gathered main information about topic you mentioned briefly here it’s American modernism is movement in general is trend of philosophical thoughts arising from widespread changes in culture and society in age of modernity . American modernism is artistic and cultural movement in USA beginning at turn of 20 th century, core period between world war 1 and world war 11 . Like European counterpart, American modernism stemmed from rejection of enlightenment thinking, seeking to better represent reality in new more industrialized world . In early 1940s modernist writers in general rebelled against clear cut story telling and formulaic verse from 19 th century.
I gathered main theme of novel secret history and author biography briefly here it’s the novel was debut novel of author . Plot summary in New England , campus novel tells story of closely knit group of six classic students at hampden college small elite liberal arts college located in Vermont based upon Bennington college where tartt student between1982and 1986 . In reception book received generally positive reviews from critics. The novel has been tapped by several filmmakers in decades since it released for possible films or television adaptation however all have been unsuccessful. Donna tartt ( born in 1963 ) she is an American novelist, essayist. Her novels secret history , little friend and goldfinch which has been adapted into 2019 film of same name . She was included in time magazine 100 most influential people list . She won notable awards such as wh smith literary award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Andrew Carnegie medal for excellence in fiction. Thank you for giving us chance to read learn new information improve our English as well . Iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English as none native speakers. Best wishes for you your loved ones.
Wow! This a good summary of Tartt’s career 🙌🏻
You make beautiful videos that are so informative!
Thank you! I’m glad you like them ❤️
This is a brilliant video! Do you know of any other modernist pieces of literature that you would recommend after reading The Secret History, or that too share themes of spiritual decline or as you put it, 'spiritual homelessness'? Something like Nietzsche's "God is dead", or someone who I've recently been getting into lately, James Hogg. If you know of any postmodern literature as well I would be happy to hear any recommendations, cause I've only just started learning about it in my Media Studies course. Thank you so much for this in-depth video!
Thank you for your comment ❤️. Most modernist works tackle the theme of spiritual homelessness. I recently read Flannery O’Connor’s The Violent Bear It Away, and the main theme is spiritual homelessness. It’s a very neat novel, but check the trigger warnings. There’s also Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio. I loved that book, but I think most people would not like it because of the way it is written. The book contains different short stories intertwined thematically and through some characters, but you must read it like a novel because there’s only one resolution and the end. The writing is beautiful and it conveys most of the themes of the modernist period. As for postmodernism, I haven’t read many works, but I think the Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan is a good start. I hope this is useful. Good luck with your course!
As soon as I finish my current read I'll look into them ^_^ Thank you so much!@@evasliteraryparlour
I love it ❤
Greetings, I am not really versed in the world of literature so I was under the impression that the book academics agreed most of the time about things I am surprised that they were not, so I guess the literature world is like the science one where there is a lot of disagreement on things.
As a literature student, sometimes it can be very confusing. Imagine studying a book from a perspective and then having another professor that teaches the same novel but asks you to completely disregard that perspective and learn a new one 🤣.
@@evasliteraryparlour wow yeah so like engineer class, great video i learned a lot from it.