I am about a third of the way into Rebecca Makkai’s novel, I Have Some Questions for You, set at a fictitious New Hampshire boarding school. The sense of place and school culture is strong, and it’s quite the page turner. Please consider adding it to your Secret History/HP collection.
I was scrolling and reading and enjoying myself immensely here, as usual, when I first came across this: “a continual desire to do almost anything else instead” about cooking and I was like, “my GIRL!” (can you FEEL the fist bump as it’s happening?!). Literally ANYTHING else!
And then I was chewing on your Veronica Mars and Always Sunny recs.
And THEN, I happened entirely unexpectedly upon my name and your incredibly kind words and recommendation. My heart is full and my day is complete. I’m so happy you gave LC and ME a chance. And now we officially have a lil mutual admiration society ☺️. Thank you!
I read The Secret History when it first came out in 1992. I was thirty. I remember liking it a lot, but I don't remember very much else. So, it could be a great re-read for me. I did not like the Goldfinch, but perhaps I just want in the mood.
For some reason, my movie analogue for The Secret History is Whit Stillman's Metropolitan.
Ahh, that’s where I know her name from. I gave up on The Goldfinch. But it didn’t seem nearly as intriguing as Natalie’s description of The Secret History.
I am going to have to check that movie out, I've never heard of it but if its even close to The Secret History in book form I will love it. The Goldfinch and The Little Friend were a lot tougher for me too - much less plot and intrigue, our girl Donna really loves a character study to say the least.
Metropolitan's not dark and it's not set in academia, but it's elite 1980s Manhattan kids talking about life and romance. It's the talking I guess that reminds me of TSH.
I read Secret History so long ago I’ve not sure if I really read it or have just read a lot about it. Adding to the haze is that my supposed reading came either before or during the vodka years. Thanks to your review I will read it (again?). John William’s Stoner is my fav academic-setting novel. I don’t think it’s dark enough to fall within your obsession (although there is much about the classics), but for me it was a stunning read. It may be more suited to old men, but still, Williams to me is a great American novelist.
Goodreads calls Stoner a quiet obsession and perhaps its not exactly like The Secret History but I have a feeling it comes closer to any of the YA suggestions I get on the internet. Thank you for that recommmendation! And cheers to the vodka years being in our past so we can actually remember what we read.
Sometimes I get upset that I have read the secret history. Because I’d like to go back to a time where I hadn’t and I could experience it all over again. ‘if we were villains’ by M L Rio only slightly scratched the itch. 🥲 I’m forever fascinated by people who hate it so thanks for those links haha!
I am about a third of the way into Rebecca Makkai’s novel, I Have Some Questions for You, set at a fictitious New Hampshire boarding school. The sense of place and school culture is strong, and it’s quite the page turner. Please consider adding it to your Secret History/HP collection.
I am *also* eternally looking for a book like The Secret History! I've decided that there should be a ten-year ban on books being comped to it, haha.
Hear hear!!! Let’s submit the resolution
I was scrolling and reading and enjoying myself immensely here, as usual, when I first came across this: “a continual desire to do almost anything else instead” about cooking and I was like, “my GIRL!” (can you FEEL the fist bump as it’s happening?!). Literally ANYTHING else!
And then I was chewing on your Veronica Mars and Always Sunny recs.
And THEN, I happened entirely unexpectedly upon my name and your incredibly kind words and recommendation. My heart is full and my day is complete. I’m so happy you gave LC and ME a chance. And now we officially have a lil mutual admiration society ☺️. Thank you!
Mutual admiration society is the best society. Cheers to this weird corner of the internet bringing us together!
Agree with you 100%. I've read several other dark academia books that others have suggested over this past year and none of them compare.
As Sinead once said, nothing compares to you! :)
I read The Secret History when it first came out in 1992. I was thirty. I remember liking it a lot, but I don't remember very much else. So, it could be a great re-read for me. I did not like the Goldfinch, but perhaps I just want in the mood.
For some reason, my movie analogue for The Secret History is Whit Stillman's Metropolitan.
Ahh, that’s where I know her name from. I gave up on The Goldfinch. But it didn’t seem nearly as intriguing as Natalie’s description of The Secret History.
I am going to have to check that movie out, I've never heard of it but if its even close to The Secret History in book form I will love it. The Goldfinch and The Little Friend were a lot tougher for me too - much less plot and intrigue, our girl Donna really loves a character study to say the least.
Metropolitan's not dark and it's not set in academia, but it's elite 1980s Manhattan kids talking about life and romance. It's the talking I guess that reminds me of TSH.
I read Secret History so long ago I’ve not sure if I really read it or have just read a lot about it. Adding to the haze is that my supposed reading came either before or during the vodka years. Thanks to your review I will read it (again?). John William’s Stoner is my fav academic-setting novel. I don’t think it’s dark enough to fall within your obsession (although there is much about the classics), but for me it was a stunning read. It may be more suited to old men, but still, Williams to me is a great American novelist.
Goodreads calls Stoner a quiet obsession and perhaps its not exactly like The Secret History but I have a feeling it comes closer to any of the YA suggestions I get on the internet. Thank you for that recommmendation! And cheers to the vodka years being in our past so we can actually remember what we read.
Sometimes I get upset that I have read the secret history. Because I’d like to go back to a time where I hadn’t and I could experience it all over again. ‘if we were villains’ by M L Rio only slightly scratched the itch. 🥲 I’m forever fascinated by people who hate it so thanks for those links haha!
Instead of arguing with them in my head, now I write it in a newsletter for everyone to see 😂
Hahahhaa a delusion shared is a delusion halved! And those critics are delusional