The Secret History by Donna Tartt

In a nutshell

Tartt explores the events that lead up to a group of friends killing a fellow friend (she explores some of the aftermath as well).  Set at an elite Vermont college, the author tells it from the perspective of a new member of the group. 

Did I like it?

Not at all!  I found the characters unbearable (even the murder victim).  Everyone was so pretentious and self-involved that it was impossible to relate to any of the characters.  I expected to love this as I thought Gold Finch was great.  However, this really missed the mark for me.  I certainly resented that this was my holiday read - what a dud (a chore to finish).

Will you like it?

If you don't mind a slow burning mystery and don't find it necessary to relate to the characters in a meaningful way, you may enjoy this book.  I'm in the minority of people who disliked this book, so clearly it does have something to offer many. 

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Took a holiday in the Hawke's Bay where we found the best coffee of our lives at Box Expresso in Clive. 

Beginners

The more I think about this movie, the more I dislike it.

Don't get me wrong, the movie was very well acted, great directing, and what should have been an interesting story. But there is where the rubber hits the road. The story, which could have been quite enjoyable, went down in flames.

This was a sad movie. Not a depressing movie, a sad movie. The main characters were sad people who seemed to want to find some other sad people to share their life with, and make each other sad.

A quick plot synopsis is that Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is a very successful, good looking and well off artist who is very unhappy. Anna (Melanie Laurent) is a very successful, good looking and well off actress who is very unhappy. Oliver's dad, Hal (Christopher Plummer), is a senior who has recently come out of the closet after losing his wife, has some issues with his boyfriend's fidelity, and is diagnosed with inoperable esophageal cancer...Hal is absolutely over the moon with happiness! This whole movie was a big mix up!

I think what probably happened is that en route to production, the script fell out of its binder and all the pages got mixed up. Hence the people with reasons to be happy are now unhappy, and the people who should be unhappy are all smiles and giggles.

Seriously! The movie itself even mentions in its dialogue that Oliver and Anna obviously are too narcissistic in their unhappiness...or something to that effect.

Look, if you like a good story gone wrong, if you like the feeling of wanting to slap a character across the face to smarten them up, then please go and see this film. Otherwise, I'd recommend something a little happier...maybe the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemmingway

Nothing much to say other than...ugh (and what a horrible cast of characters)!