The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.3 - Best Review - Sam M's task: The Secret History

I won this task in reading and reviewing Donna Tartt's The Secret History, which despite requiring suspension of belief and centering around fairly repugnant characters, I was completely captivated by. Donna Tartt's debut is in my mind a perfect fall read, with its New England university setting and intelligent (and feral) students evoking autumn leaves, cozy sweaters, lectures, and a creeping sense of doom and evil.

Inspired by this book, choose from one of the following options, and read ONE book.

Option 1: The Secret History is thought of as a contemporary literary mystery; read it or any book found on the Best Literary Mysteries Listopia.
Required: Cite the page number where your book can be found when you post.

Option 2: The main characters in The Secret History are drawn together as classics students. Read a fictional work set in Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome, or a nonfiction book covering some topic related to Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome.

Option 3: The word I felt best describes The Secret History is "wicked": read a book that has all the letters of WICKED in the title and/or author's name. Subtitle letters cannot be used to spell out WICKED, but books with subtitles can be used.
Ex: What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained -- W in What, IE in Einstein, D in Told, CK in Cook
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss -- WIED in title, CK in author
Required: Point out the letters when you post.

Approved Option 2:

reserved

This thread is now open!

I don't have a question, but I just want to comment that I love this task. The Secret History is one of my all-time favorite books.

For Option 2, would either Cleopatra's Daughter or The Song of Achilles work?

KSMary wrote: "For Option 2, would either Cleopatra's Daughter or The Song of Achilles work?"

Either would work.

For option 3, I have The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. I've scoured the rules & FAQ's looking for books that are co-authored and haven't found anything. I may have missed it. In order to spell Wicked, I need Lincoln Child in the equation. Is this book acceptable?

Would Homer work for option 2? I'm specifically reading this new edition of The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson The Odyssey (which is fantastic, btw). Thanks :)

*bump* I haven't received a ruling on my question.

Janice wrote: "For option 3, I have The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child. I've scoured the rules & FAQ's looking for books that are co-authored and h..."

Mod Note:
Yes, you may use a single author's name in a book with co-authors to source the required letters

Melissa wrote: "Would Homer work for option 2? I'm specifically reading this new edition of The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson The Odyssey (which is fantastic, btw). Thanks :)"

Mod Note:
Yes

Thank you Dimrose.

Thanks Dlmrose :)