FAQ About The Secret History

The Secret History is a novel by Donna Tartt about a group of six classics students at a small liberal arts college in Vermont who become involved in a murder. The story is narrated by Richard Papen, a transfer student from California who is drawn to the close-knit group of students, led by the charismatic and enigmatic Henry Winter. As Richard becomes increasingly involved in the group's secret rituals and practices, he uncovers a dark secret that threatens to tear the group apart. The novel explores themes of obsession, morality, guilt, identity, and the power of the past, and is known for its complex characters and richly detailed prose.