I casually picked up The Secret History by Donna Tartt this weekend, and she just totally reeled me in, right from the opening page itself.
Here are a couple of great quotes from the book:
But isn’t it also pain that often makes us most aware of self? It is a terrible thing to learn as a child that one is a being separate from the world, that no one and no thing hurts along with one’s burned tongues and skinned knees, that one’s aches and pains are all one’s own.
Even more terrible, as we grow old, to learn that no person, no matter how beloved, can ever truly understand us.
And another one:
Some things are too terrible to grasp at once. Other things – naked, sputtering, indelible in their horror – are too terrible to really grasp ever at all. It is only later, in solitude, in memory that the realization dawns: when the ashes are cold; when the mourners have departed; when one looks around and finds oneself – quite to one’s surprise – in an entirely different world.
~ The Secret History by Donna Tartt
So far, this is turning out even better than The Goldfinch (also by the same author) that I read last year. I don’t understand how come I waited this long to read this book.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Wow! This book has caught my interest. I especially loved the second quote. A very well done Teaser Nishita.
@SHANAYA TALES: Thanks, Shanaya 🙂
Oops, forgot to write my name at the bottom. My name is Shantala. 🙂 Shanaya is just an abbreviation of my full name 🙂
Even better than Goldfinch!!! That makes it a must read for me.
My TT – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/02/17/teaser-tuesdays-102-the-loch-by-steve-alten/
@laura thomas: I definitely thought so. I sat up all of last night finishing this book.
The first teaser struck a chord with me. It’s so incredibly true, at least I believe, that one can find themselves in the midst of pain and suffering. Great teaser!
My Teaser
I’ve heard some great and some terrible things about this book but I think that everyone agrees that it definitely draws you in and doesn’t let you go until you’ve read the last page. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
My Tuesday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
@Juli Rahel: Yes, this book is definitely not perfect, but there is a tension prevalent throughout that kept me reading and thinking about it.
Profound words. Glad you’re enjoying the book. I love when books surprise me.
My Tuesday Teaser
I read this way back when and remember loving it (and much better than The Goldfinch which was not my favorite!)
Mine today is from Wreckage by Emily Bleeker
@Kaitlin Lane: I liked The Goldfinch too, but agree with you, this is the better book.
Interesting. What’s that saying – we’re born alone and we die alone.
sherry @ fundinmental My TT
@sherry fundin: very true
I haven’t read this one either. Sounds really good!
@BethFishReads: Highly recommend it!