PSA: People keep saying the main character in 'The Secret History' is a good guy

In my book club, three people this month said they felt bad for Richard and thought he was just caught up in things. I read the book twice, and he's clearly an unreliable narrator who lies from page one. He admits he made up his whole backstory to fit in at college. How does anyone miss that? Has your group had this same debate?

4 comments

4 Comments

blake7922mo ago

My book club argued about this so much we almost needed a mediator.

owens.anthony3mo ago

Honestly, how do you read a book where the guy opens with a murder and then lies about his entire life to seem cool and think he's a good guy? He's broke and fakes being rich, he's obsessed with that group from day one, and he helps cover up two deaths. Tbh, if your book club feels bad for him, maybe check what they're drinking at the meetings.

karencampbell2mo ago

Forget the murder. Look at the small stuff. He lies about his dad's job to Nick before they even get to the house. Fakes that whole rich backstory. Then he lets Gatsby take the blame for Myrtle. Lets George think Gatsby was the one driving. That's not a good guy. That's a coward who got someone killed over a lie.

marydavis1mo ago

Does your group actually buy the idea that he just wandered into that group by accident? Because he basically stalks them for weeks, lies about his background to get close, and then acts shocked when their weirdness turns deadly. Seems like he knew exactly what he was signing up for, even if he won't admit it.