I am about 50 pages in and it does seem like its going to be a different experience than Secret History. However, there are lines within the first 50 pages I have read multiple time because they are so freaking beautiful! I guess in the end you have to decide if the writing is enough to keep going . Thank you for doing this review.!! I will let you know what I think once I finish!
I do think the marketing leads people astray, but I loved it. It might have been a 5 star if I hadn’t read it last. I think the craft is exactly between the other two books. But I was really impressed with the character arc, because she tries on genre intersections, including her investigation phase hah, in a very adolescent way. Trying stuff on, aspiring to things, abandoning them. I liked how it constantly subverted expectations but can see why some readers would not be into that haha. I’m never surprised when people aren’t into it. Especially with how it’s described. It was good I didn’t read any of marketing copy.
You make a great point about how she's very much figuring out who she is throughout the novel. Harriet is a very complex and fully realized character and I definitely felt for her.
I think the little friend is highly written in a nostalgic, melancholy context. I’ve read all of Tartt’s books and though I loved the goldfinch (and liked the secret history) the little friend stuck out to me in a very poignant, personal way. The characters of Harriet and Daniel are written so well as mirrors to each other and in a way that it was very easy for me to relate to them. I think that the little friend is definitely (though possibly unconsciously) written for a very specific vein of readers. I understand why most who read it dislike it but I can’t help feeling very sad about how misunderstood it is. At the heart of it, it’s about two seemingly opposite families, and in their midst, two lonely, neglected freshly post/pre teenagers. Harriet being 12 years old is stressed very much, and the message I got was of Harriet trying to hold onto the love and care that being a child comes with, while also struggling desperately to be taken seriously (relatable lol). Though the ending was frustrating, I felt it almost perfect for the story. Harriet is a sad, uncared for and brilliantly smart young girl & Danny is an emotionally, mentally, stunted young man. Harriet’s is a case of how a death can derail a family. Danny’s is a case of how poverty is so cruel and cuts pretty much all of his options off. anyways um…… I love this book and it doesn’t deserve half the hate it gets :(( sorry for the rant haha
So interesting, I just told my daughter the very thing you are saying. Before I could even get into the first chapter fully, I had to read the prologue over and over to understand it. A lot of times, you can gain insight on how to solve the murder, before you complete the reading. I noted how the narrative overwhelmingly slowed down the action.
I read the Little Friend a LONG time ago. Pretty sure it was more than 15 years ago. And I didn’t like it while I was reading it, but it has stuck with me for a long time, especially the water tower scene. So in retrospect, I think I liked it, but it was really a slog. Good review!
Not sure if you've convinced me to read this. I have read The Secret History and the Goldfinch and enjoyed the experience with both. I read Goldfinch on vacation and remember more of the book than I do of the vacation. Your description reminded me much of a book that I loved and is backlist but well worth the look up. It is, "The Way the Crow Flies" by Ann-Marie MacDonald. It was a great read that has never left me along with similar ideas/plot that you describe in this book and is a family drama. Excellent read if you can get ahold of it--maybe out of print
Well if that isn't a roaring endorsement for The Goldfinch! Ive read Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald and I couldn't put it down. I would definitely give another one of her books a try.
I read this book when it was released, and just finished rereading it. On the levels of the sentence, paragraph, and chapter she did an excellent job. I felt cheated by the book both times. Robin's implausible and ultimately unexplained murder was completely unnecessary to the story.
I read The Secret History a couple of years ago and I'm still exhausted. It was bouncing in my head that I should give her another try, but with so very many books to read I was afraid to sink in the hours and hours. I know she is a gifted writer, but this won't be for me. Thanks for the insight!
I think I was one of those people who gave that blurb, haha. In my defence I read it 10 years ago and I have an awful memory. I do remember all the bloody snakes though. I don't even mind snakes. I've held plenty but this book and that scene in The Craft where the ceiling above her bed is covered in snakes 🤢 I do remember this book feeling super long. Like you I read The Secret History very quickly but took a while longer with this. I'll definitely still reread this one but I'm not sure how I'll feel about it the second time round. When I read it I'd only just got back into reading after Uni so I was a very different reader. Right now I think my order of enjoyment is The Secret History first, The Little Friend second and The Goldfinch third. I think maybe The Goldfinch was a bit over the top. But I need to reread them all to properly decide!
Tbh I was basically just digging at Kieran from kdbooks, who loves this book but has never told me the TRUTH about it hahaha! I honestly had nightmares about snakes after reading this. I suppose that speaks volumes about how effective those scenes are? Still though - very unpleasant! Looking forward to your thoughts on a second read!
The only Tartt I've read is The Goldfinch, and many of the things I felt about that book are similar to what you're saying here. I had been thinking about trying to read another of her novels, but after this video I think maybe that's not something I want to do.
Currently reading The Goldfinch and have been struggling through it...I am so curious to hear your thoughts once you get around to it. I love The Secret History as well and definitely want to give The Little Friend a shot. Great review :)
I'm about 200 pages into this book and it's interesting to hear your review. I really enjoyed The Secret History way back when I read it, enjoyed The Goldfinch even though it was a harder experience (the middle is such a slog), but I'm just not clicking with The Little Friend. I think it's this rural, southern, white setting that's just not doing it for me...I don't know. I'll try to keep going as I love Tartt's writing.
Has anyone else noticed that in everyone of her book the main character gets sick for a good 100 pages. I feel like if she does it in one more book its going to be a donna tart trope. Like murikami with sexism lol.
I bought this book from a library book sale in Mississippi, and was excited to read it, because of the setting. A year and a half later, I picked this book up, dusted it off to read it. I was excited, and noted what a good writer Tartt was. Considering the time and setting, I realize the use of the "N" word was commonplace; but after seeing that word more than three times before completing the first chapter, I felt like I was doing myself a disservice by reading an author who thought of my race as an "N" word, as very racist, and cheapened the experience, and decided to trash the whole book after page 39. I only paid a few bucks for it. Plus, I hated the font size, and further thought, "Why the hell should I ruin my eyesight over a racist authors work". Dissappointment is my closest friend.
I am about 50 pages in and it does seem like its going to be a different experience than Secret History. However, there are lines within the first 50 pages I have read multiple time because they are so freaking beautiful! I guess in the end you have to decide if the writing is enough to keep going . Thank you for doing this review.!! I will let you know what I think once I finish!
I am curious how you'll feel at the end! Looking forward to your thoughts
I do think the marketing leads people astray, but I loved it. It might have been a 5 star if I hadn’t read it last. I think the craft is exactly between the other two books. But I was really impressed with the character arc, because she tries on genre intersections, including her investigation phase hah, in a very adolescent way. Trying stuff on, aspiring to things, abandoning them. I liked how it constantly subverted expectations but can see why some readers would not be into that haha. I’m never surprised when people aren’t into it. Especially with how it’s described. It was good I didn’t read any of marketing copy.
You make a great point about how she's very much figuring out who she is throughout the novel. Harriet is a very complex and fully realized character and I definitely felt for her.
I think the little friend is highly written in a nostalgic, melancholy context. I’ve read all of Tartt’s books and though I loved the goldfinch (and liked the secret history) the little friend stuck out to me in a very poignant, personal way. The characters of Harriet and Daniel are written so well as mirrors to each other and in a way that it was very easy for me to relate to them. I think that the little friend is definitely (though possibly unconsciously) written for a very specific vein of readers. I understand why most who read it dislike it but I can’t help feeling very sad about how misunderstood it is. At the heart of it, it’s about two seemingly opposite families, and in their midst, two lonely, neglected freshly post/pre teenagers. Harriet being 12 years old is stressed very much, and the message I got was of Harriet trying to hold onto the love and care that being a child comes with, while also struggling desperately to be taken seriously (relatable lol). Though the ending was frustrating, I felt it almost perfect for the story. Harriet is a sad, uncared for and brilliantly smart young girl & Danny is an emotionally, mentally, stunted young man. Harriet’s is a case of how a death can derail a family. Danny’s is a case of how poverty is so cruel and cuts pretty much all of his options off. anyways um…… I love this book and it doesn’t deserve half the hate it gets :(( sorry for the rant haha
So interesting, I just told my daughter the very thing you are saying. Before I could even get into the first chapter fully, I had to read the prologue over and over to understand it. A lot of times, you can gain insight on how to solve the murder, before you complete the reading. I noted how the narrative overwhelmingly slowed down the action.
I read the Little Friend a LONG time ago. Pretty sure it was more than 15 years ago. And I didn’t like it while I was reading it, but it has stuck with me for a long time, especially the water tower scene. So in retrospect, I think I liked it, but it was really a slog.
Good review!
Yeah I think "a slog" is the best way to describe this book!
Not sure if you've convinced me to read this. I have read The Secret History and the Goldfinch and enjoyed the experience with both. I read Goldfinch on vacation and remember more of the book than I do of the vacation. Your description reminded me much of a book that I loved and is backlist but well worth the look up. It is, "The Way the Crow Flies" by Ann-Marie MacDonald. It was a great read that has never left me along with similar ideas/plot that you describe in this book and is a family drama. Excellent read if you can get ahold of it--maybe out of print
Well if that isn't a roaring endorsement for The Goldfinch!
Ive read Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald and I couldn't put it down. I would definitely give another one of her books a try.
I read this book when it was released, and just finished rereading it. On the levels of the sentence, paragraph, and chapter she did an excellent job. I felt cheated by the book both times. Robin's implausible and ultimately unexplained murder was completely unnecessary to the story.
I read The Secret History a couple of years ago and I'm still exhausted. It was bouncing in my head that I should give her another try, but with so very many books to read I was afraid to sink in the hours and hours. I know she is a gifted writer, but this won't be for me. Thanks for the insight!
Hahahaha "I'm still exhausted". Truly that book is emotional labour.
Mississippi is NOT dry 😂 lmao it's ridiculously humid here.
Thanks for contributing to me wanting to read this book! I enjoyed your review.
After having visited this summer, I will concede it is quite humid!
I think I was one of those people who gave that blurb, haha. In my defence I read it 10 years ago and I have an awful memory. I do remember all the bloody snakes though. I don't even mind snakes. I've held plenty but this book and that scene in The Craft where the ceiling above her bed is covered in snakes 🤢 I do remember this book feeling super long. Like you I read The Secret History very quickly but took a while longer with this. I'll definitely still reread this one but I'm not sure how I'll feel about it the second time round. When I read it I'd only just got back into reading after Uni so I was a very different reader. Right now I think my order of enjoyment is The Secret History first, The Little Friend second and The Goldfinch third. I think maybe The Goldfinch was a bit over the top. But I need to reread them all to properly decide!
Tbh I was basically just digging at Kieran from kdbooks, who loves this book but has never told me the TRUTH about it hahaha!
I honestly had nightmares about snakes after reading this. I suppose that speaks volumes about how effective those scenes are? Still though - very unpleasant!
Looking forward to your thoughts on a second read!
The only Tartt I've read is The Goldfinch, and many of the things I felt about that book are similar to what you're saying here. I had been thinking about trying to read another of her novels, but after this video I think maybe that's not something I want to do.
I think probably Tartt's works are the kind of books you absolutely have to read at the right time or they don't have the same impact.
Currently reading The Goldfinch and have been struggling through it...I am so curious to hear your thoughts once you get around to it. I love The Secret History as well and definitely want to give The Little Friend a shot. Great review :)
I certainly need some time before delving into another Tartt but I will complete the hat trick!
I'm about 200 pages into this book and it's interesting to hear your review. I really enjoyed The Secret History way back when I read it, enjoyed The Goldfinch even though it was a harder experience (the middle is such a slog), but I'm just not clicking with The Little Friend. I think it's this rural, southern, white setting that's just not doing it for me...I don't know. I'll try to keep going as I love Tartt's writing.
I really understand. This book is so much slower. It's definitely a book I've appreciated more as I've had more distance from it
You’re smart, incisive and very pretty.
Has anyone else noticed that in everyone of her book the main character gets sick for a good 100 pages. I feel like if she does it in one more book its going to be a donna tart trope. Like murikami with sexism lol.
This is a very interesting observation!
I bought this book from a library book sale in Mississippi, and was excited to read it, because of the setting. A year and a half later, I picked this book up, dusted it off to read it. I was excited, and noted what a good writer Tartt was. Considering the time and setting, I realize the use of the "N" word was commonplace; but after seeing that word more than three times before completing the first chapter, I felt like I was doing myself a disservice by reading an author who thought of my race as an "N" word, as very racist, and cheapened the experience, and decided to trash the whole book after page 39. I only paid a few bucks for it. Plus, I hated the font size, and further thought, "Why the hell should I ruin my eyesight over a racist authors work". Dissappointment is my closest friend.
You’re likable.
I *like* to think so 🤓
(Thank you!)
I don’t even wanna…
I'm sorry Kieran but I just gotta be me!!!!!!!!!