Donna Tartt

In 1983, Richard Papen changes his education path from a self-contained college in Plano, California, to a picture-perfect Hampden College in Vermont. He faces initial resistance but eventually gets admitted into an exclusive ancient Greek program led by Professor Julian Morrow, with five other students - Henry, Bunny, Francis, and the twins, Charles and Camilla. Richard, who hails from a less wealthy background, hides his financial status from his affluent classmates. He feels estranged initially but manages to blend in after being invited to Francis's country house over the weekends.

During winter vacation, Richard, instead of going home, stays back in Hampden, working for a psychology professor for sustenance while living in a cold, free-warehouse. Henry eventually finds Richard in a state of exhaustion and takes him to a hospital. After this incident, Richard discovers that Henry, Francis, and the twins had plans to flee the country, their escape hindered by insufficient funds. The group had participated in a bacchanal at Francis's country house, where they accidentally killed a farmer in what they believed to be a Dionysiac frenzy, an idea inspired by Julian's class.

Bunny, despite being unaware of the murder, jokingly insinuates the group's involvement when he reads about the farmer's death. He later discovers the truth from Henry's journal while they were in Italy. Bunny's increasing demands and threats bring about his death when the group decides to push him off a cliff during his routine hike, with Richard unintentionally present at the scene. After Bunny's death, the group begins to fall apart, with Charles heavily drinking and Francis facing anxiety attacks. This crisis unveils hidden relationships and manipulations within the group leading to a tragic climax with Henry's suicide. The group eventually disbands, with Richard being the only one to graduate. Years later, Richard is still in love with Camilla and often reminisces about Henry.

The Secret History

The Little Friend

A Novel

The narrative begins with Theo Decker, reflecting on his past from a hotel room in Amsterdam. His life changed dramatically at the age of thirteen, when a bomb detonated in a New York City museum he and his mother, Audrey, were visiting. The blast tragically took Audrey's life, however, Theo survived. In the aftermath, he came across a dying old man who urged him to take a coveted Dutch painting known as The Goldfinch. Theo hid the painting and soon discovered his mother's fate. With his alcoholic father absent, Theo was taken in by family friends, the Barbours. The discovery of a cryptic message from the old man led him to an antique shop and to a man named Hobie. It's here he also encountered Pippa, the red-haired girl from the museum, with whom he quickly bonded.

However, Theo's newfound tranquility was short-lived when his father reappeared with his girlfriend, Xandra, and insisted on taking him to live in Las Vegas. In this new setting, Theo formed a close bond with a school friend, Boris, whose life also bore the scars of parental loss and substance abuse. As circumstances spiraled out of control with his father's debts and subsequent death, Theo stole money and drugs from Xandra and, clutching The Goldfinch, returned to New York. Back in the city, Hobie became Theo's guardian and he learned that Pippa was moving abroad to a Swiss school. In fear that his theft of The Goldfinch would be discovered, he stowed the painting in a storage locker.

Fast forward eight years and Theo was now Hobie's business partner, saving the shop from bankruptcy by dealing in counterfeit antiques. His life took another unexpected turn when an ex-client accused him of stealing The Goldfinch. Concurrently, he began dating Kitsey and they eventually became engaged. However, a chance encounter with Boris revealed that the painting Theo thought he safeguarded was no longer in his possession. Boris had swapped it for a book, unbeknownst to Theo. This revelation led them to Amsterdam in search of the stolen painting. A series of dangerous exchanges ensued, culminating in Boris being shot and Theo committing murder. Back in New York, Theo confessed his transgressions to Hobie and spent the next year traveling the world to rectify his past mistakes.


Donna Tartt Books in Order (3 Book Series)

The Secret History

The Little Friend

The Goldfinch

A Novel

What To Read Next

Donna Tartt Books in Order (3 Book Series)

The Secret History

The Little Friend

The Goldfinch

A Novel

What To Read Next

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