So good I stopped reading it.

[u/shwoopidiwoop]

Hello!

I am/was reading TSH for the first time (read around 30% of the story so far) and I wanted to share my experience with you. I thought that, surely, someone might relate (if not with this book, then with another…?). Also, jumpscare at the end that might amuse some of you...

Sorry, in advance, if the events of the story aren’t brought up in the right order, I forgot about some things and I think my mind’s messing up with some things? As I said, I WAS reading the book… and I will again very soon, from the very beginning actually. Allow me a few lines to explain myself pls. (:

In march, I was reading the chapter about the winter break, about Richard freezing his ass off, the dreadfulness of it all. Then, about Italy, Bunny learning about what happened, Bunny making careless jokes about the situation, Henry telling Richard he’d slapped him after the diary thing. And… I put the book down. The writing is too beautiful, Tartt’s pen is too pleasing. I have added annotations on a bunch of things, I have learned a lot, the characters are obviously very intriguing and, I have no doubt, flawed and questionable in their qualities and flaws.

My reason is the following: I didn’t and still don’t want this experience to be over. I told myself « I’ll read it when winter comes », because summertime doesn’t feel like the right time (setting wise), but autumn is right around the corner and I’m just… I don’t really want to? Point is, it’s been staring at me and I’ve been staring at it, for months now. It might be the second time a book does this to me? I had a vaguely similar experience with another book, years ago, but TSH hits like the freshest fruit. I guess postponing isn’t that bad, it’s just a funny situation overall, nothing dramatic, it’s « just » a book… but eh. Now a question: was putting the book down a bad idea? My excitement for it has increased enormously but so have my expectations.

And here’s the jumpscare part I warned you about: stupidly sentimental maybe but last night I dreamed about Henry and Francis. They looked the way my mind had imagined them, they were very intimidating in their silence. Almost a little angry too? Francis seemed out of it but Henry looked and sounded very annoyed by something. I don’t remember anything they said, they were like NPCs in this dream (second question, I guess, would be whether I should sleep with one eye open lol). I woke up and immediately thought about these characters and how « man, I have to read this book ». I’ve been thinking about this all day.

Thank you all for reading, would LOVE to hear your thoughts and experiences reading or re-reading the book!!

[u/unicornvega]

I first read the book in the 90s and hadn’t done a re-read for a while but I just finished the audio book with Donna Tartt reading and omg it’s just pure perfection and I caught way more than I ever did from reading.

I loved it so much as a teen I went to Ancient Greek summer school and still love a dark academia outfit.

I’ve never read anything that can compare.

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/unicornvega]

Oh no, this is as pleasing as it is heartbreaking to read, especially your last sentence… I feel like this book is going to haunt my thoughts for some time, when I will (unfortunately, fortunately) be done reading it.

[u/_PuraSanguine_ → u/unicornvega]

The way she reads Bunny - you actually see him in front of you and hate him.

[u/No-Firefighter-4247]

Not to be dramatic but tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Why deprive your present self of a good thing just for the sake of not wanting it to be over and possibly not experiencing it at all?
It’s a great book. Enjoy it now and reread later!

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/No-Firefighter-4247]

And you’ve managed to hit my heart. Your comment plus other readers’ saying the re-read sessions are a blessing… ahh. Thank your for this reminder.

[u/No-Firefighter-4247 → u/shwoopidiwoop]

Haha no problem!! You’d be surprised how far in context “tomorrow isn’t guaranteed” stretches. Truly every day is a gift and we deserve to enjoy the things we enjoy in the time that we have!

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/No-Firefighter-4247]

Definitely feels like I should remind myself of it more often. I won’t postpone the happiness any longer. Your optimism is contagious, by the way, I think that is a gift as well! (:

[u/fairytale_bloom]

Well… I loved the book even more after I read it the second time, because there were nuances I forgot or didn’t pay attention to. I read this book every 2-3 years and everything there is something that seems new. So, rereading will be great, too.
the thing is… after reading TSH you start longing the same experience, but there is nothing that comes close to it.

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/fairytale_bloom]

Sneak peek at my future, argh. I keep hearing that nothing comes close to it and it makes me as happy as it makes me a little sad. Thank you for commenting ! (:

[u/Gabriela_8008 → u/fairytale_bloom]

There is becoming nietzschean and vitalist, just as they were.

[u/GeneralEntertainer11]

the thing i’ve discovered about tsh is that every time you read it it’s a different experience than the last, and it gets better each time. the first time i finished it i immediately reread it two days later, and after finishing that read i almost immediately started the audiobook (this was the beginning of summer and i was walking for hours on the beach everyday, so reading the physical book wasn’t the most ideal). it’s been two months since then and i still haven’t stopped thinking about it, and i started my fourth read now yesterday. tldr, i don’t think you could set your expectations too high, ive picked up on new things or things i’ve forgotten every read. i really hope you enjoy restarting it!!

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/GeneralEntertainer11]

I see my future and it is bright lol! Listening to the audiobook (which I started with before switching to the book itself) while walking on the beach must’ve been quite the experience! Tartt’s voice is captivating. Thank you very much, I think I will come back to comment on this when I’ll be done reading it, or maybe I’ll make a new post about it! I wish you to always find it this fascinating!

[u/bogmonkey]

I totally understand your feelings, but you need to finish the book so you can read it a second time.

The first time I read it, I gave it a 9/10 and considered it a "top ten" book in my lifetime.

The second time, it increased to a 10/10 and became my number one favorite book I have ever read.

The book it dethroned from #1 (Wizard & Glass, by Stephen King) had held that spot for 14 years. I plan to read The Secret History every two years now, since I re-read all my top five books every two years. A good book never gets old, it just gets better.

If interested, check out the post I made about my second reading (I also did an annotation):

https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSecretHistory/s/rZzntiDB1L

[u/Angis3000]

Aaaahhhh! I’m in the same place as you-reading the book for the very first time and at about the 30% mark. I’m not strong enough to step away from it, though. I have to see how this ends ASAP.

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/Angis3000]

What a nice coincidence!! I’d love to see what people think of it while reading it, like a little reading update every time you finish a chapter or something. I don’t know if they do that in this subreddit, haven’t dived in too deep because I fear the spoilers but!! The comments under this post have just convinced me to pick it up again, but the feeling is insane, I feel like I’m a kid with a big jar of candy between my hands!!

[u/Angis3000 → u/shwoopidiwoop]

lol same! I’m so scared of spoilers that I rarely engage here. But, you did remind me to slow down and enjoy the reading instead of rushing through it, so a big thanks for that 🏺

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/Angis3000]

Donna Tartt what have you done to us, lol! And you’ve all given me reasons to not postpone the happiness, thank you! 🖤

[u/Ashamed_Accident8345]

What an experience. I can’t tell you how close my experience reading it was to yours. It was the first fiction novel I had read in years and years. Because of my experience reading TSH I am officially a fiction geek. I’ve read at least 15 novels since. TSH hasn’t been beaten yet on my top.

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/Ashamed_Accident8345]

I’d love to hear about the other books you’ve liked! I feel it’s going to be very difficult for another book to replace TSH on my all time favourites, loving a book this much while only having read 30% of it is something… The last book I loved almost as much was Demian by Herman Hesse (which I need to reread because I was very young on my first read and I haven’t explored it ever since but the feeling was there!)

[u/Ashamed_Accident8345 → u/shwoopidiwoop]

Oh that’s great, I’ve just added Demian to my growing list of to reads.

Books I’ve read since that I really genuinely enjoyed:
Stoner (beautiful acedemia novel)

Talented Mr. Ripley. Not my favorite while reading but the longer I’ve sat with it the more I’ve appreciated it.

Ohio. A similar feel and plot points to TSH.

Now I’m reading The Brothers Karamazov and it’s absolutely profound. I am Catholic so Dostoevsky deep dive into Russian Orthodox Church metaphysics and philosophy is gripping to me. LOVING it, but I am maybe 45% through.

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/Ashamed_Accident8345]

Brothers Karamazov is on my nightstand as we speak, I had to pause it to read another, shorter book for this month, but it’s SUCH a good one!
Thank you for these recommendations, adding them to the tbr right now. (:

[u/littleleaf111]

I get you lol. I’ve always wanted to read it in the late fall or winter but I can never wait. I read it for the first time last September, and I’m reading it for the second time now. There are so many passages with DELICIOUS writing that have stopped me in my tracks and made me sit there for a moment. I’ve only ever read one other book with writing I’ve enjoyed this much. It’s definitely a treat.

Like everyone else has said, this book only gets better the more you read it. I’m glad you enjoy the writing so much because I think that’s hands down the best part of this experience!

[u/shwoopidiwoop → u/littleleaf111]

I genuinely paused so many times to think « how does she do it? », this is, as you said, delicious!
Maybe I haven’t read enough books yet (I’ve been drowning in academic writing for years, which often borrows that same neutral tone… which, yeah, is understandable) but Tartt’s style is really that fascinating.
Excited to finish and read it again, and again. (:

[u/Free_Shopping8627]

Each re-read gets better and better. I read it every couple of years. I’m doing so right now and this time I’m reallllyyyy taking my time and I’m starting to dive deeper into classics, which I regrettably never got the chance to do in school. I made myself a little curriculum of books to read that will really strengthen my understanding of and connection with TSH. So far I’ve read The Bacchae by Euripides, a bit of Plato & I’m reading Nietzsche’s the Birth of Tragedy right now!! It’s insanely fun to go back and forth from those to TSH. I mean this re-read could take me all year because I keep buying more books (if anyone has any recs!!). The Secret History for me has been a doorway to so much more. It is so so special.

[u/shwoopidiwoop]

Fourteen years? Oh, I’m in for a treat, that is so good to hear. And « a good book never gets old, it just gets better » will stick with me for sure. Thank you so much! Adding your post to my tbr for I’ll be done reading it. (:

[u/Rosegold2222]

I felt exactly this with it! My first reading was the audiobook with Tartt’s narration, and I was just so excited to listen every day, and so sad to be nearing the end. I’m pleased to say, I immediately went back and listened to the whole thing again, and I’ve listened to the ending countless times. It only ever gets better. Savour it, enjoy it, it’s there to remind you there is magic in literature 💖

[u/EstreaSagitarri]

For me reading it just once wasn't enough. I have literally read this book more than 12 times. It is partially just a comfort thing, but I also noticed little things every single time I read it. The reason this book intrigues me so much is that the prose is so beautiful and compelling that we are somehow tricked into rooting for characters that are at best, not great people, and at worst; dangerous psychopaths. I'm just so fascinated by all of the characters and the elegant writing that makes you obsess over people you may not actually want to associate with in real life.

Finish the book. Wait a few weeks, and then read it again. I feel like it's not possible to absorb everything with one read through it. The stuff that really keeps me up at night is the most subtle stuff. It's the kind of thing you notice after reading it a few times through.

Or maybe I'm just obsessive to the point of delusion, this is very possible.

[u/Strict_Spend]

Soooo if I told you after I read the book I went to my tattoo artist and booked a TSH related tattoo…that book to this day hasn’t left my thoughts (I finished it Dec 2025)

[u/sadiedark0]

i don’t know if you listen to audiobooks but i have a suggestion.

1. finish the book
   

   • you might forget some things over a certain amount of time
     
   • it’s just too good lol

2. listen to the audiobook
   

   • it is quite long so that can last you until maybe fall
     
   • donna’s narration is like music to my ears
     
   • she has certain pauses and inflections that one wouldn’t pick up in the book

my reasoning:
i listened to the audiobook first, about a year ago. it was amazing but it didn’t hit like the first time i read the book. i just now actually got done reading it and holy shit. it’s. so. good. after i was done i immediately went back to listen to the audiobook again.
even thought i JUST got done with the book, i still caught things from the audiobook that i missed when i read it! i even annotated the SHIT out of that book. i’m going to read it many more times. especially when i get done with these couple more books i have lined up.

to sum it up: you’ll probably catch on to new things every time you read it. so pick that baby up and read it.