Donna Tartt on The Secret History - The John Adams Institute

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7 жыл бұрын

On March 14, 1993 American author Donna Tartt visited the John Adams Institute to speak about her bestselling novel 'The Secret History', which has been translated into 24 languages. Pieter Steinz moderated the evening.
'The Secret History' takes places at a fictional college where a close-knit group of six students embark upon a secretive plan to stage a bacchanal, a plan that ultimately leads to a death. Since 'The Secret History', Tartt has written 'The Little Friend' and 'The Goldfinch, the latter of which became a bestseller and Book of the Year by numerous publications including New York Times Book Review, the Economist and NPR. 'The Goldfinch' also won the Pulitzer Prize.
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Пікірлер: 163

@laurenprigg6971 3 жыл бұрын

I’d encourage anyone who has ever read the secret history to purchase the audiobook, read by donna herself. The book feels so alive when she reads it and I’m not even typically one for audiobooks.

@george474747 3 жыл бұрын

This reading is just as impressive as the writing.

@seeyouinhell849 3 жыл бұрын

Is it on audible?

@laurenprigg6971 3 жыл бұрын

@@seeyouinhell849 I think so but I got it from apple books.

@seeyouinhell849 3 жыл бұрын

I see, thank you!

@Helios.vfx. 3 жыл бұрын

is the one on audible?

@tituscaesar 4 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised there were no mentions or questions on the character of Francis Abernathy - my favourite. Around 1 hour and 19 minutes' into the video Donna talks of sexual repression but, if I remember correctly, Francis (male) makes a pass at Richard Papen (the protagonist) who rejects it. I like the descriptions of Francis' magnificent country house, his determination in reading the "Memoires" of the Duc de Saint Simon in full and the general feel of his personality ... Great character. Far more agreeable than Henry or Bunny.

@helenchua3408 4 жыл бұрын

Francis is the most likeable character by far, and it's probably because he's also the most normal.

@tituscaesar 4 жыл бұрын

@@helenchua3408 Good point. :)

@Oliver-wm1xi 4 жыл бұрын

I completely agree. Francis is larger than life and such an interesting character. His and Richard's relationship was one of the many things that made The Secret History for me.

@crystaldreams9461 3 жыл бұрын

I relate to Francis so much as a character and he was definitely my favourite. The slightly pretentious insecure hypochondriac who just wants love but never finds it.

@alexb9969 3 жыл бұрын

He asks him in the very beginning: Cubitum eamus?

@PaleMagnolia Жыл бұрын

Donna's friends who picked the title that was ultimately rejected will be pleased to know that the Italian version of the novel is called "Dio di Illusioni", God of Illusions.

@deed-h3110 3 жыл бұрын

Can we appreciate how Donna Tartt has the ability to explain her book so eloquently and beautifully. She is a literary icon

@Blueblackngold Жыл бұрын

If only she could write that way

@desireandfire Жыл бұрын

@@Blueblackngold lmao

@Blueblackngold Жыл бұрын

@@desireandfire worst book I ever read

@najjace-px3le 11 ай бұрын

@@Blueblackngoldnot even you believe yourself saying that

@hexhair3213 9 ай бұрын

@@Blueblackngold if you dont mind me asking, what books have you read? I'd understand if it wasn't your favorite (not everyone is smart enough to appreaciate the attention to detail), but saying its the worst is pretty far fetched no?

@tenzincsangpo401 2 жыл бұрын

the actual interview starts at 35:35, you’re welcome.

@Zzzsleepzzz 2 жыл бұрын

Thank u 🙏🏻

@kajsafriberg3420 Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@bobnunyabiznz4917 Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU! That introduction was ridiculous.

@bbyfreds Жыл бұрын

thank u !

@indigo_diary Жыл бұрын

Listening to such an intelligent person's thoughts is such a joy.

@joshcroce 4 жыл бұрын

9:45. You're welcome.

@iheartkitties33 2 жыл бұрын

So happy that it’s this time of year again for me. I read this novel every autumn, and every time I finish, I want to pick it up again and start from the beginning immediately. Tartt’s prose are sublime, and a huge inspiration to me as a writer. This book will always be one of my greatest loves.

@katierains7107 Жыл бұрын

ha same! I'm reading it again this fall (as always) & returned to listen to this (yet again) never gets old, always learn something new as a writer

@virgilflowers9846 Жыл бұрын

It’s funny by complete Chance, I first read this book in October, only later to find out it’s a seasonal favorite for many. The descriptions of Fall in New England are definitely wonderful, though much less of the book takes place during the season than you would think, given the book’s association with autumn. Lots of winter/early spring and snow stuff too. That winter Richard spent at the hippie guy’s house…yikes! A truly great novel (i love her other two books as well)

@craigbenz4835 8 ай бұрын

@@virgilflowers9846 I read it when it first came out as a northener who had been living in Florida for many years. The seasonal appeal was great, and the book held my rapt attention though out. Subsequent readings felt more like watching a train wreck, but not in a bad way. More of a guiltily pleasure way.

@ArihantAV 5 жыл бұрын

I wish this had a video 😅

@fernandoferreira6293 2 жыл бұрын

For... ...science?

@gplunk Жыл бұрын

What a privilege to listen to this interview....

@moonsnon-secretlover2615 4 жыл бұрын

She's such a genius.

@emma6352 3 ай бұрын

shes seems like such a sweet and joyful person. her laughs and her little ‘oh hi!’ when she finally catches sight of the person in the audience asking the question. so sweet!!!

@Oliver-wm1xi 4 жыл бұрын

Donna Tartt is so entertaining throughout this entire interview, and the interviewer's great too

@lnsordo91 5 жыл бұрын

She's so good at reading/narrating

@bobnunyabiznz4917 Жыл бұрын

Noooooooooo

@rt_aue 6 жыл бұрын

I love Donna Tartt interviews. I'm so glad this was uploaded!!

@johngrahamwilson1649 3 жыл бұрын

Well done, lady. You changed the face of contemporary literature.

@mxyzptlk... 3 жыл бұрын

Currently reading The Goldfinch. The Secret History is one of my favorite novels.

@melanie2269 Жыл бұрын

How did you end up liking it? :)

@mxyzptlk... Жыл бұрын

@@melanie2269 It was trash.

@ImmyRaeT Жыл бұрын

@@mxyzptlk... oh no! I was just about to buy it after finishing the secret history!

@sionnach3104 Жыл бұрын

@@melanie2269 Well, I absolutely loved it.

@szymonkunda2197 10 ай бұрын

@@ImmyRaeTplease buy and read it, I think I liked it maybe even more than The Secret History. I mean it's really a toss up but The Goldfinch was awesome, beautiful

@c.s.hayden3022 2 жыл бұрын

I just finished the book and this is a great interview. Her explanations are interesting and she’s even entertaining to listen to. I always try to glimpse behind the curtain into the author’s motivations when reading something, how and why they put it together.

@Bbbandit-nb1bs 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much! This author has changed my life!! !! She is so very beautiful inside and out!! 🧚🏻‍♂️🌴🐉

@ShannonMcDonough 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you to the Institute for digitizing and sharing this interview. It has been very helpful in my research this month!

@beckysam3913 3 жыл бұрын

Very smart writer, enjoyed the interview.

@rayssagon 4 жыл бұрын

Please, somebody upload Donna's consciousness into one of those Black Mirror sort of gadgtes so we have her around till the end of the humanity's days (sorry about it Donna, I know it sounds awful - being trapped inside of a machine - but we all have to make sacrifices )

@ihatemickiegee 3 жыл бұрын

we all have to make sacrifices 😅

@howlinhonky 3 жыл бұрын

@@ihatemickiegee "Sacrifices must be made." - Otto Lilienthal

@terry9238 2 жыл бұрын

That would only be a simulation. It wouldn’t have consciousness and it wouldn’t really be Donna Tartt. But sure, let’s do it.

@sandrae2398 Жыл бұрын

I love her voice

@khalidalali186 4 жыл бұрын

She was only 29 years old back then. The same age I was at during all of my eight visits to the Netherlands in 2018. I’m 5’10 and felt like a midget over there. Glad she spent most of her time in a hotel room. Someone might have stepped over her by mistake, and by the sheer tragedy of that accident, we would have been deprived of both “The Little Friend” and “The Goldfinch.”

@shethewriter 4 жыл бұрын

Khalid AlAli lololol

@honeysuckle888 3 жыл бұрын

shutup🤣🤣🤣

@jrimhaikukaiku 2 жыл бұрын

what the hell

@SatybaldyZhansaiauly 11 ай бұрын

LMAO

@justinludeman8424 Жыл бұрын

I heard about Donna's work many moons ago and have been waiting to read The Secret History and Goldfinch for some time. I finally purchased both titles this week and look forward to diving in. I have been absorbing her interviews (even with Mr Creepy Interruptus 🤭) and valued the manner in which she describes what literature means to her and her own creative inspirations and processes. American writers are truly magnificent and I count a great many amongst an ever growing list of favourites. Thanks for this informative piece.

@StinFriggins Жыл бұрын

COVID-93 must've been hitting quite hard this night. I cant imagine how many lungs they had to sweep off the floor when everyone cleared out.

@szymonkunda2197 10 ай бұрын

LMAAAOOO I know, riight?

@joebentleytheartist 10 ай бұрын

she hit the nail on the head about ones youth the characters.The end of the book would make one cry.

@backpackmatt 3 жыл бұрын

Powerful prose!

@hydraelectricblue 2 жыл бұрын

Falling in love with a mind.

@MyCatsHeadBlewUp Жыл бұрын

Can't Spell Tartt Without Art 😃

@bruisedviolets 7 ай бұрын

can’t spell Donna without don

@Documenting_Paradise 3 жыл бұрын

Her voice.....that’s the comment

@davidpendergrass659 Жыл бұрын

Take a shot everytime Donna says you know

@zft111 Жыл бұрын

alcohol poisoning

@ninadificil5784 4 жыл бұрын

OMG! is Donna smoking ?! I can hear someone lighting a match ! This lady makes 'verbal magic'!

@primitiveonpurpose 3 жыл бұрын

Heard it too! Love, LOVE it. She's really transported to us from the Prohibition; kind of a reincarnated contemporary of F. Scott :)

@fernandoferreira6293 2 жыл бұрын

Wtf is wrong with Hollywood that missed the chance at filming this? It should be directed for TV as a mini series by Nic Pizzolatto. Please?

@bobnunyabiznz4917 Жыл бұрын

Hell no. This book would NEVER translate well on film. Donna agrees; she no longer wants to sell the film rites. There’s a history to why it has never been made.

@Blueblackngold Жыл бұрын

There’s no depth to any character

@jasonbeukema4949 3 жыл бұрын

I always wanted to see a film adaption of this with Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Henry... I just pictured him as the character.

@kathleena4038 3 жыл бұрын

No, he would be Bunny

@user-yf6hb8oj7w 3 жыл бұрын

what? more like julian morrow

@kathleena4038 3 жыл бұрын

@@user-yf6hb8oj7w I guess I was thinking of him when he was quite a bit younger! Like when the book first came out in the early 90’s. Apparently the movie rights were sold, and I believe Gwyneth Paltrow was a producer on the project. I could have seen her as Camilla back then, but certainly not now! Wouldn’t it be great if they could finally get the movie made!? So much fun to cast in your head!

@user-yf6hb8oj7w 3 жыл бұрын

ohh I didn’t even realize when the book came out because I just finished reading it so it’s very fresh in my mind, and I agreed that when we was younger he could’ve played Bunny, and Gwyneth would have been great as Camilla but I kinda always imagined her with slightly darker and curlier hair. This book would make such a good movie or maybe tv show

@GP-ik7hw 3 жыл бұрын

when i read the book, 6 years ago, i thought mia wasikowska would have been perfect to play camilla

@socialanxietydora4112 4 жыл бұрын

God someone’s sick they keep hacking

@poopmonster3000 Жыл бұрын

bro can whoever us coughing needs to LEAVE omfg

@billbollins 3 жыл бұрын

I'm in love with her.

@fernandoferreira6293 2 жыл бұрын

Comments Add a comment... Fernando Ferreira 0 seconds ago My god, she actually entertained calling it ANYTHING but TSH which is (personal anecdote) the very WHY I got the (paperback beautiful edition) in the first place. Didn't know a thing about it and bought it solely for the cover, title and description in the back over. It was a second hand store but it was almost pristine. I was majoring in Philosophy at the time and studied with a professor as versed in those matters as her characters. And as brilliant. So it had, if I may say, some peculiar context.

@wm6h 2 ай бұрын

I love interviewees who laugh at something they themselves say.😅

@akkamiau 3 жыл бұрын

so many coughing people... only now i notice...

@epiphoney 7 ай бұрын

I wish there was video.

@MyCatsHeadBlewUp Жыл бұрын

GOSH I Wish She Were My Friend

@ikcalv 2 жыл бұрын

3:35 is the best part lol :)

@andynowicki4532 6 ай бұрын

Interesting how the initial speaker, when discussing Tartt's dedication of the book to Bret Easton Ellis, cited LESS THAN ZERO but made no mention of AMERICAN PSYCHO, which by 1993 was a huge literary phenomenon, because Ellis at that time was so reviled by the lit-crit establishment to the point of nearly being a pariah...

@MyCatsHeadBlewUp Жыл бұрын

Such A Full Accent. She Would Make A Really Good KZfaqr. Yap. Seriously. Yea...Like A Thought Notebook We Can All Listen To 🧐

@cindyo6298 Жыл бұрын

Wooooow, she was 28 here.

@sammyloukianoff3377 5 күн бұрын

I thought she sounded younger here that makes sense

@oceania2385 Жыл бұрын

Somebody help me out here, why is Donna Tartt popping up in my feed ?

@chrisquirke5235 3 ай бұрын

Any more books by Donna, please tell

@mariak5169 3 ай бұрын

The goldfinsh and the little friend

@inaina872 Жыл бұрын

What is up with this coughing crowd

@BookClubDisaster Жыл бұрын

The Secret History > The Goldfinch.

@aileenr.maglalang8017 Жыл бұрын

49:23

@aileenr.maglalang8017 Жыл бұрын

1:14:55

@charlesedwardandrewlincoln8181 Жыл бұрын

Procopius?

@fernandoferreira6293 2 жыл бұрын

Jesus Christ her voice is so painfully... ...hot. Does she have a 0906?

@bobnunyabiznz4917 Жыл бұрын

Nah. It’s irritating af.

@---yi6tq 3 жыл бұрын

thought she was born in 1963...

@r21167 3 жыл бұрын

She was, this is a recording from 1993 as mentioned in the description!

@toddjohnson5504 7 ай бұрын

I believe the initial comment is in regard to the moderator stating Donna was born in 1964.

@dimonbash 5 жыл бұрын

You spoiled part of the book for me!! Thanks.

@lmjones7716 4 жыл бұрын

OMG! They killed Bunny!

@sari4559 4 жыл бұрын

Don't worry, Bunny's murder is in the prologue, if that's what you're referring to.

@wgaule 4 жыл бұрын

That's on you. You shouldn't have listened before reading.

@femininequeer8277 4 жыл бұрын

Legit they say they murder Bunny on the first page

@howlinhonky 3 жыл бұрын

yes, too much of the plot is revealed - much more than necessary - i'd be pissed off if i hadn't read it several times

@MyCatsHeadBlewUp Жыл бұрын

Be A KZfaqr

@rainrainyrain 25 күн бұрын

She's a writer

@inhale.exhale.2527 9 ай бұрын

i would love to take donna tartt to dinner just to not show up. any idea why i get a frisson from saying that? 🐊🦂

@sebaceous 7 күн бұрын

it was a good read but I'll never want to read it again. it's not Shakespeare.

@inhale.exhale.2527 9 ай бұрын

amazing how marketing can inflate something so binary into ... something. 🤯

@JM-mq9ms 2 жыл бұрын

35:30