I've been looking forward to reading The Secret History all year, and I'm so glad that I finally found the time to do that. I was pleasantly surprised by how I was absorbed into this twisted, breathtaking story. 
 It had a perfect beginning: a murder, which both confused and intrigued me. The reader knows from the beginning what is going to happen, which, unexpectedly, leaves place for many other events to occur. The first half of the novel is completely covered in mystery, since the narrator, a newcomer who is mostly left out, is pretty much unreliable. When he does find out what had been going on right under his nose,(view spoiler)[ when Henry and Francis tell him about the bacchanal and the murder (hide spoiler)] the overall atmosphere becomes even darker, creepier, contrasting with the story's academic setting. 
 The characters are a whole new story. They're nothing like I've encountered before: intelligent and philosophical, but dark, mysterious and absolutely enchanting. They're not the kind of characters that one can easily relate to; they're pretentious, oblivious the others' struggles, self-centered and condescending. But this only lets the reader evaluate their deeds much more objectively. 
 However, I liked the characters. I liked their rare, but relieving, outbursts of humour. I liked their sharp wits and even their pretentiousness. I found it very difficult to connect with Richard, the narrator, but I soon found myself feeling his emotions and understanding him deeply. My favourite was, with no doubt, Henry. Actually, I think he's one of my new all-time favourite literature characters; I couldn't help but admire the complexity of his character, the way his traits contrasted in the most fascinating ways, leading to a morally grey character about whom I still ask myself questions. 
 I don't think anything that I write can do justice to this amazing vintage classic. I hope everyone who gets the chance to read it will appreciate Donna's beautiful, visual writing style, and her ambiguous, twisted, incredible characters.