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The Woman Upstairs
Claire MessudClaire Messud 9780307596901

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Secret History

by Donna Tartt

ISBN13: 9780804111355
ISBN10: 0804111359
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

"Powerful...Enthrallling...A ferociously well-paced entertainment."
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Richard Papen arrived at Hampden College in New England and was quickly seduced by an elite group of five students, all Greek scholars, all worldly, self-assured, and, at first glance, all highly unapproachable. As Richard is drawn into their inner circle, he learns a terrifying secret that binds them to one another...a secret about an incident in the woods in the dead of night where an ancient rite was brought to brutal life...and led to a gruesome death. And that was just the beginning....
"A smart, craftsman-like, viscerally compelling novel."
TIME
Selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK

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Average customer rating based on 7 comments:

: diane howard, January 30, 2013 (view all comments by diane howard)
This book began with a dive into classical literature students as a chosen group to "leave" the traditional curriculum at the eastern ivy league college and study with Julian, a treasured, enigmatic and charismatic scholar of classical Greek language. The dive takes the reader into a precious, protected and glowing world of a handful of idiosyncratic students. Each of them are fascinating in and of themselves, as is Julian..but Julian remains enigmatic. Against this brilliant character study of very diverse students, which is enough for any novel in and of itself, we are drawn into a bizarre and truly phantasmal "backstory" so to speak, which unfolds tantalizingly slow. We are given a clue at the beginning, but somehow the author made this reviewer forget about it and take the plunge. To anyone interested in the academic world of literature as I was while studying latin to meet a requirement for a second degree, it is a delight. But you in no way need that as a background to find the plot breathtaking in its shock to the reader's system. The backstory becomes front and center and we are swimming for our (and others) lives. The whole book challenges one's sensibilities and will no doubt, be wildly discussed in book clubs. I reread the last half to be amazed once again at how this unfolds. This is a role model for character depth, plot, a fascinating setting, as well as the beautifully crafted descriptive prose. I am in awe.
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: The Scarlet Letter, January 1, 2013 (view all comments by The Scarlet Letter)
I love this creepy, over the top campus novel. It is my favorite read of the past year.
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: The Scarlet Letter, January 1, 2013 (view all comments by The Scarlet Letter)
I love this creepy, over the top campus novel. It is my favorite read of the past year.
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Product Details

ISBN:: 9780804111355
Author:: Tartt, Donna
Publisher:: Ballantine Books
Location:: New York :
Subject:: Literary
Subject:: Fiction
Subject:: Psychological
Edition Description:: 1st U.S. Ballantine ed.
Series Volume:: 29
Publication Date:: October 1993
Binding:: Mass Market Paperbou
Language:: English
Illustrations:: Yes
Pages:: 512
Dimensions:: 6.84x4.21x1.13 in. .57 lbs.

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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Mystery » A to Z

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