Rating: 
Summary: Ignore Kirkus Reviews---This is an exceptional book!
Review: Out of all the fiction that I have read during this decade, Donna Tartts A Secret History stands out as one of the most notable books of the decade. Her style is exquisite. Her ability to create mood and atmosphere and make you part of the characters in her novel is unequaled. By the time you are in middle of the novel you feel as if you are actually experiencing what the characters are going through, i.e. you are one of them.Whenever I have to recommend a novel, this title always comes to mind although I have read it many years ago. Sometimes its the critics who must be criticized on their opinions.
Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time favorites
Review: Good God, I hope no one who hasn't yet read The Secret History reads the above review from Kirkus. If they do, there's hardly any point in reading this compelling, fascinating, transporting novel. The great thing about this book is how you are lulled into liking these characters, who turn out to be pretty despicable, but by the time you find out what they have done it's too late--you identify with them. They are surely academic snobs, but in a very funny, engaging way, and since YOU don't have to go to school with them, why not let them be as sniping and witty as possible? I loved the language of this book--the way the characters talk in an old-fashioned, stylized way. For example, they call each other "Old Man" in all seriousness and begin sentences like "Really, Richard, I hardly think..." If that kind of thing annoys you, don't bother, but if not, it really adds to the atmosphere of the book and makes you feel like these characters live in a completely different world or era from ours.
Rating:
Summary: Here's a book you either like or hate...
Review: Much to my surprise I've read a lot of one-sided, negative revieuws.Although this doesn't surprise one when you concider the books story and style. It has a lot of what books like "the catcher in the rye" had in their time; A contemporary yet timeless viuew on some of the most critical periods of ones life. This always seems to shock some people.The characters are as real as they get, no mather how surealistic the story actually is.I think we got us a new modern classic here and the only shocking thing about it is that Tartt hasn't written more.
Rating: 
Summary: pretentious, formulaic, and highly over-rated
Review: Tossing in phrases in Latin and Ancient Greek does not make a novel good. Shallow, self-involved, and depressing characters does nothing to improve it, either. The author tries to fool her audience into believing that this brush with "High Culture" makes her book noteworthy. If anything, referencing the greats only highlights her own work's shortcomings.
Rating:
Summary: Vividly remember it after nearly 8 years
Review: I was awe-struck by this book when I first read it when it was published in 1992. (I now realize I own a first-edition that could have value someday!). I'm suprised now to learn two things. Number one is Donna Tartt herself. Why has she not written any thing else? The other is that the reviews are so obviously one-sided. It's either a one star rating or 5 stars with only a few with any ratings in between. It seems to be definitely a take or leave it kind of book. For me it was a "take it" kind of book. It was of the few books I still remember too much of to bother reading it again just now. But believe me, I will be reading it again someday (in paperback, however, to protect my first edition).
Rating:
Summary: The best book of our century
Review: I think this book was very beautiful and full of real emotions. I like everithing of that book, especially the phylosophical parts ( the greeksworld, the gods --> Dionisio,...) . I'd like a film about this novel were made. Another thing: how can someone put only a star ?
Rating:
Summary: we'll still talk about it in 100 years
Review: Contrary to what Michael Van Dorpe says, I have read plenty of novels AND "The Secret history" is one of my favorite. It's amazing how perfect the framework is. She manages to deal with fascination without ever falling into a ridiculous tone : this novel is both strong and subtle.
Rating:
Summary: my favorite book
Review: I loved this book, I love this book. Suspensefull and exciting. I'm waiting for another book from Donna Tart!
Rating: 
Summary: good, could be better
Review: I read this book in a dutch translation. You can read this book very fast because the style is very natural. I like the atmosphere of this novel. I don't think the story itself is really phantastic. I started my 5th year of ancient greek myself a few days ago (I'm 17) and I'm really surprised to read about people who are able to speak some words of greek themselves. Of course, this is a novel, and those students at Hampden have a good teacher, but still... maybe latin would be easier. I really liked this book, but people who say 'this is the best novel I've ever read', should read some more novels.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, intelligent, beautiful
Review: I am deeply, deeply in love with this book. Beautifully written, unforgettable, every time I read it gets better. This tale is a journey to a beautiful place, and as Henry points out, beauty is terror. Donna Tartt gently introduces the world of the Greek students, to Richard and to us, and gently, bit by bit reveals their games and secrets. Richard is so accessible and easy to understand - although he describes meticulously the process of getting to know the others, and getting more and more involved with them, there is always a distance he can never bridge. This is the same distance the reader feels - I have never run around in the woods at night, I have never experienced a Dionisian trance like they do. Nor have I killed. The amazement in Richard's mind is as big as mine. He describes everything as a stranger, a spectator, like we are. Having seen what he sees, the reader more or less understands why Henry and his friends feel they have no choice but to act out their horrendous plans. I do not understand earlier reviews, stating that halfway the book everything (meaning the two murders) has happened. What really "happens" is the deep remorse afterwards, and the painful discovery that not being caught by the police doesn't clear the feeling of guilt. As Richard sais in the prologue: Walking through it all was one thing; walking away, unfortunately, proved to be quite another.
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