FAQ About The Secret History

The Secret History is set in the contemporary time period of when it was published, which is the 1990s. The book takes place at Hampden College, a small liberal arts college in Vermont, where the characters study classics and engage in a variety of academic and social activities. The book includes references to contemporary events, such as the O.J. Simpson trial and the fall of the Soviet Union, that place it firmly in the time period of the 1990s. Additionally, the book's themes and concerns reflect the cultural and social milieu of the time, including a preoccupation with youth culture, intellectualism, and individualism.