Donna Tartt Shrine | Press | What did you think of The Little Friend?
What did you think of The Little Friend?
What did you think of The Little Friend?
Comments (77)
OK, The Little Friend is not The Secret History, I'll grant that. But it is still a remarkably good book and filled with such wonderful imagery that I'm sure I'd recognize the town if I suddenly found myself there.
I just hope it's not 2012 before we get treated to another Donna Tartt novel.
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I read the Little Friend and was stymied by the question, "Who killed Robin?" At first I also thought it was meant to go unanswered, but then I saw Donna Tartt giving an interview about the book and she said that the identity of the little friend is indeed revealed in the book. So I read it again. The little friend was Hely's brother.
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Harry Potter is veel mooier=D
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Bit disapointed. After reading The Secret History (which was incredible) I had high expectations of the Little Friend. But I didn't like it that much. Maybe it is a good novel, but it is not as good as I hoped.
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I loved this book so much. I didn't want it to end. I haven't read The Secret History yet, but I'm going to go buy it today!
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"Who killed cock Robin?" is an old nursery rhyme. In it the whole community confesses their participation. Who killed Robin in the Little Friend? I am in the middle of the book, but think the whole community with its social layers (economic and racial) played a part, actively or passively, in whatever led up to Robin's death. The descriptions of people are so right on.
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I'm so glad others feel the same way I do - the ending was disappointing. I enjoyed the book as I was reading it but once I read the ending, I feel cheated about the whole story line. The only consolation is that I paid only $2.00 at a thrift store for it!
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I liked it. The subject material was as interesting as that of The Secret History, and the writing was as good, and the characters were maybe even more interesting to me, but the book on the whole was rather less satisfying. In my opinion.
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Donna Tartt is the single most captivating storyteller of her generation. The Secret History and The Little Friend were quite different in style and subject matter, but I can't say which I'd take with me to a deserted island. There is so much beauty and stark reality in her novels. All I can say is thank God for Donna Tartt. No one else can hold my attention like her.
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who killed him???
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It isn't a baby on the front cover, it's a doll!
Thanks for pointing out that Danny was the little friend - that was bugging me.
Ruth
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I finished reading 'Little Friend' last night and was so disappointed with the storyline.
The beginning got me hooked, the middle was exceptionally tedious with unnecessary detail and the end... I get the feeling the author didn't know how to finish this book.. (?) Who DID kill Robin and WHY is title 'Little Friend'? What did Eddie do about the state of her daughter's house? What's going on with Allison - she seemed to just lurk in background with strange but undefined character - did she kill Robin?
In short, the words were put togther well but the storyline and it's characters fell flat.
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Who killed Cock Robin? I, said the sparrow....
There was only one character in the book that could be considered capable of killing a child, and that was Pharis. Since Danny was "the little friend" (of Robin), if we really want to stand back from the novel and draw conclusions about the murder, I think it has to be Pharis--which is why it is so terrible and ironic that Harriet settles on pathetic Danny, Robin's little friend, ("I like Batman, too")as the likely murderer. It is especially ironic since Danny is so pathetically aware of the destructiveness of his own family.
On the other hand, I loved this book so much that after reading it, I started over and read it again. Growing up in the South, I felt I could have been related to any of these people--the Ratliffs included. This writer is the best I have read in I don't know how long.
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My two cents: Nobody murdered Robin. He accidentally killed himself. He was playing in the tree (with electrician's wire- which could well have been on the side of the road in a trash heap put out by the neighbor who had just cleaned out her attic - go back it's all there). Robin, while playing, had his first epileptic fit (epilepsy has a genetic predisposition) ...strangled himself accidentally and died. As for who or what is "the little friend"...epilepsy also called "the petite mal" - the little death - is the little friend. What do you think?
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I didn't like the way Hely (wining)is contrasted with Harriet (mature). A bit too feministic IMO. But I enjoyed the atmosphere evoked in the novel, every pages is a baroque painting.
Jasper van der Lugt, Italy
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I think the "Little Friend" is Danny, because some interviewer had once asked and her answer had been edited out because it would have spoiled the ending. That, and Harriet's realization of the end would imply that it was Danny.
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After The Secret History, which was as close to perfect as possible, The Little Friend was a major let down. The scene with the snakes loose in the apartment, everything about the hoodlum characters, it was just weak. And I dont think she even knew how to end the book. Heartbroken, honestly. Ah well.
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The Secret History is the perfect example for the synchronisation of interior and exterior conciousness and awareness of the flow of life. The Little Friend takes the point of view of a preadolescent/puberal girl, so that no synchronisation is possible. The Little Friend is about a process so that no solution to the murder mystery is necessary. The process takes place in Harriet's soul/psyche. She starts as a playful girl and makes unconcious use of her little friend Robin developping into a girl with a more exterior awareness of the flow of life, which is one of the main aspects of reaching puberty. Ms. Tartt had the courage to offer the possibility to come to terms or even understand its way into puberty to an adult audience. Thank you
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Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island' and 'Kidnapped' are Harriet Cleve's favourite books. There are multiple references, explicit and implicit to the former. The prototype terrified child eavesdropping on adult plotting is Jim Hawkins in the apple barrel. Does the main mast of the Hispaniola metamorphose into the water-tower, and pirate Israel Hands become Danny Ratliffe? As to the question: Who killed Robin (nursery-rhyme resonance here)? - curiously 'Kidnapped' is about a killing for which an innocent man was punished and at the end of the book we are no wiser as to whodunnit.
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Well, after being introduced to the amazing Ratliff bros, I figured it was (wonderfully named) Farish...jealous, disgusted that his kid brother was a friend of the snobby old family of Robin's. Harriet was at times almost over the top, but yes, a comparison to Scout is worthwhile. Too bad every adult in her life had better things to do than, for once, listen to her and help her. All dropped the ball, especially Edith. I think Ida was protecting herself and knew she had to get away from all the family mess. Penn was about the only person who seemed to care a bit. I will always remember the water tower scene; unbelievably tortureous!!
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Well, after being introduced to the amazing Ratliff bros, I figured it was (wonderfully named) Farish...jealous, disgusted that his kid brother was a friend of the snobby old family of Robin's. Harriet was at times almost over the top, but yes, a comparison to Scout is worthwhile. Too bad every adult in her life had better things to do than for once listen to her and help her. All dropped the ball, especially Edith. I think Ida was protecting herself and knew she had to get away from all the family mess. Penn was about the only person who seemed to care a bit. I will always remember the water tower scene; unbelievably tortureous!!
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Wonderful book! I thought it was better than "The Secret History".
When it comes down to it, it really doesn't matter who killed Robin. The story was about Harriet, the South, drugs, desperation and betrayal. Life - in short. It wasn't meant to be a figure-it-out mystery novel. It's romantic. I enjoyed every sentence she wrote down. I can't wait for her next book.
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where is my comment?
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My friend sent this book to me as a gift.He bought it on the way to Birmingham.Although I haven't read it yet,I LOVE it,because the little friend traveled more than ten hours by air before we first met each other,he'll be a great great friend.
Kiss,P.R.China,2005-8-6
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Does anyone think that it may have been Allison that killed Robin?
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Well I thought it was fairly obvious who killed Robin. Harriet's mother of course. And she's been killing the pain and guilt with drugs for ten long years.
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The Little Friend is one of my favourite books! It's up there with To Kill A MockingBird! A true classic!
The Secret History.....also fantastic!
When is the next one coming out! Hurry up Donna! Get writing!!
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Maybe it's just me being stupid but i never understood why the book is called The Little Friend??
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Amazing...I liked Danny the best, dont know why. He didnt deserve what he got in the end. Harriet might not be very likeable, but you have to admire her. I still dont understand the title; why the 'Little Friend'?? It's frustrating not to know who killed Robin, but would it make much difference if we did?
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What about the black hat on the bed?
It happens to Danny too!
I've just finished reading this book & thought it wonderful, & really disapointed that it didn't all tie up neatly at the end, but then life's not like that is it?
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Robin's killer; a wild theory. The cover of the book is of a baby (and at least in Europe, there is a physical hole through the eye of the baby). Harriet was a baby at the time of the murder, the reason she thinks Danny killed Robin is because it "felt right". Maybe she saw something when she was a baby, and is driven to Danny. Why else the cover?
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Great writing but where is my climax? I can't take a another 600 pages of foreplay -- a sequel. Time to move on to author who can deliver!
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I thought this book was the most tedious book I've ever read. It was written well, just really really really detailed about really really boring things. Do I really need to hear that much detail about insignificant things? Could have cut down on some of the descriptions. I also am upset that I didn't find out who killed Robin - the main reason I chose the book. I'll never get those hours back. Could have been a wonderful book. Just my opinion.
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It's my favourite book, and I'm one of those people who can never make their minds up about what their favourite thing is.
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beautifully written, but no Secret History...
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I found it compelling, Tartt manages to transpose Harriet the spy into a modern Southern Gothic Tale - another intelligent page turner...
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i haven't read the secret history so i have nothing to compare this book with. when i bought the book i thought i'll find out who killed Robin, which i think is what Hariette thought as well, and, like her, i was shocked and heartbroken. but i think this is the best darn novel i've ever read. very well written. this is ultimately more than a mystery story.
Liz
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who cares who killed robin? i forgive her the little friend, for the secret history was once in a lifetime.
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The strangest book i've ever read. At times it seems like Ms Tarrt didn't know how to go on...Maybe too many characters with no sense. At the end i really can't explain what this book is about...
Valentina, Italy
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Just finished reading The Little Friend and I thought it was too realistic. Let me explain... in real life, it is probable that no one would discover who killed Robin and Danny and Harriet wouldn't have met again. But this was meant to be a story - entertainment! I choose this book to read because the cover and blurb advertised a gruesome, macabre tale. However I grew increasingly impaitent as, once again, Tartt described yet another suburban hell hole street and yet more overcast and hot weather. The setting was brilliantly raw at first but by the end I felt stiffled and bored of it. And as for the ending, too little to late, in my opinion.
Overall, a throughly claustrophobic tale that had a message or plot that was so thickly hidden that it ceased to exist: dissappointed and mislead by Tartt.
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I read about everything but after 2 years I still haven't finished this book. My first book ever not to finish. It's utterly disappointing especially after having read the Secret History more than 10 times waiting for the next book....too bad.
M. Visbeen, The Netherlands
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There were a lot of loose ends, but that is the thing with good books like this. They stay on your mind long after you are done and you even "miss" some of the characters. A sequel would be nice though!
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I am halfway through 'The Little Friend' and one thing I cannot figure out is when it is supposed to be set. At first I thought the 1960's then possibly the 70's and now I'm just confused over the issue. Can anyone shed light on this?
Gillian, Scotland
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I found the Little Friend much more difficult to get into than The Secret History (which is still one of my favourite books). However, perseverance is its own reward.
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The book is even better the second time I read it. The humor in it--getting bitten by a cobra through a shoulder pad while driving a TransAm--seemed more evident.
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I was very disappointed. I still am over 2 years after reading the book. I believe its the only book i have ever read that ended where it should have started. We don't need to know who killed Robin, but I personally would like to know what happens where this book finishes. But, no sequel yet. Quite disappointing.
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I too waited a long 10 years for the new book and was disappointed at first when I discovered that it was about a kid. But once I started to read it, the rich language and vivid descriptions had me hooked. Although, I still think Tartt can get carried away with too much detail sometimes and hold up the pace of the story. I agree with others as well, that maybe there are a few loose ends which could have been tied up. It would have been good if Harriet and Danny were able to talk to each other for a period of time and answer questions that have been playing on my mind!
baljinder thandi, england
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It's been a long time since a story about a 12-year old girl could enchant me! Loved reading it, forgot all about who killed Robin so didn't care about it. I think reading the back of the book is very misleading. It's just very true, kids get up to a lot of things that grown-ups don't know about. And I think Ida is reacting very humanly, not the way we like reading about, but still... There's also information missing about the whole sollicitor's thing in the end, why does Charlotte have to be included? she can't do anything. But I don't want a sequel, that would be too bloody Hollywood-style. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy "Secret History". Thanks for listening, fellow "Little Friend" lovers.
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"i read the whole book, just to discover who killed robin...
it wasn't there...
Bram, Zele, Belgium 2004-11-13 "
Oh FFS... I'm 450 pages in, forcing myself to dredge through each and every page just to find that out and...
It's weird, I hate the book and all its characters yet am punishing myself to finish it for some reason.
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loving it
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Many of my friends said this was not as good as The Secret History, but I disagree!!
Ms. Tartt does an amazing job translating the voice of a child, so much so that I, at the ripe age of 51, had emotional flashbacks to my own childhood- I have not read a narrative that so captured the confusion, the frustration, and the uncertainty laced with awareness since To Kill a Mockingbird!
None of the characters are one- dimensional; the reality of each character is so palpable; Ms Tartt has the ability to tell us so much in such nuance.
Of course the 'mystery' is not solved; this is NOT a mystery!!
Life has unanswered questions and I believe Harriet's journey is to discover her worth in knowing herself and her ability to survive where Robin could not.
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What a pity I have read the comments, as several people say that the killer is not revealed. Or maybe one more reason to read The little friend?
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Who killed Robin? Why did Ida leave? Was she the murderer?, did Harriet have epilepsy or not?, why did'nt she die after gulping drugged water from the water tank? did Dix and Charlotte get together? is there a book 2? if not why not? a lot of unanswered questions!!
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i am just reading it at the moment, i am at the bit when they are "snake-knapping" the giant cobra. it is such an exciting book. does anyone know if she is planning to write and publish anything more anytime soon (apart from the equally wonderful Secret History)
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I spent a camping trip around France in 2003 reading this book, and was kept in thrall despite the late cold nights and mosquitoes! It would have been wrong to have neatly zipped up the story with a neat explanation for Robin's demise and would have detracted from the intrinsic sense of mystery and intrigue we regard the world with when we are children. It's not a murder mystery but a tale of growing up in a frightening world. Enjoy and put together your own conclusions - I thought it was actually pretty obvious who killed Robin. Think about it.
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I have never before gone to a website about any other author. This indicates just how much I was moved and intrigued by The Little Friend. It is the best book I have read in many a year and assure you, I read a lot. The depth and richness of the language was somtimes too much too much to bear. How could anyone write in such detail so beautifully and graphically about so dark a tale. There were moments when I just had to stop reading and moments when I cried, so acutely did the words evoke memories of my own. I haven't read the Secret History yet but will when the overwhelming emotions that my reading of The Little Friend evoked have subsided.
Dodo
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Too much detail bogs down the plot, Donna, why have you put so much characterization and so much mystery? Too bitter, too glassy and too boring.
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i read the whole book, just to discover who killed robin...
it wasn't there...
Bram, Zele, Belgium 2004-11-13
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am only half way through the secret history and loving it. having read the little friend first i feel that it is yet to live up to that standard, however they are still 2 of the greatest, best written, most powerful, poetic and hypnotic books i have ever read so very much looking forward to her next work. do i really need to wait another 10 years??
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I was disappointed by this book, not at all as well-written as the secret history.
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Robin could have been caught up in the same sort of mischief that nearly befell Harriet? You are never sure what children get messed up in. Should we not consider Robin's little friend was of course Danny. Who would kill a friend of Danny?
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I bought The Little Friend in a second hand book shop in Bangkok and became completely captivated by it. Having read and adored The Secret History, I was delighted to discover that this book actually went beyond all my high expectations. The writing is so rich and so accurate, I found it spellbinding. Yet so many issues were left uncovered that I concluded that either the rather dog-eared copy I had purchased second hand had lost the vital last few pages, or indeed Tartt has anticipated a sequel. Why was Ida so heartless towards Harriet? What was Edith hiding, regarding the fire which burnt Ida's leg? I'm sure we were led to believe that there was more to that episode that met the eye. Will Harriet's mother remain the way she is? Will Danny have his final reckoning with Harriet and discover why she was pursuing him so avidly? And will he forgive her when he finds out why? In my mind this issue is almost more important than finding out who actually did kill Robin, since it concerns people who are now familiar to us. Unless Edith or Charotte killed Robin through some awful accident. And what about the mystery of the boot through the window? Too many unsolved mysteries for there not to be pages missing in my copy, or a sequel on its way..
Otherwise, a truly outstanding work, sensitively and beautifully written. May Tartt wanted to show us that life is indeed a mystery and we cannot have the answers to everything.
Fay Sanders, Sussex, Great Britain
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I have not finished the book yet and you know what? I don't want it to get finished. I am enjoying every WORD!!!!! Well done Donna!
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"The Little Ftiend is one of the best books I've ever read.I'm afraid to read The Secret History because I anticipate the best but somehow am afraid it won't live up to The Little Friend. "
Well i was the opposite and read the secret history first and think its better than the little friend,although i was more endeared towards Harriet in the little friend than Richard in the secret history.
In saying that they were both marvellous books,such rich language used by Donna Tartt,beautiful prose,so refined.
However i cannot understand why people are so annoyed/cheated/disappointed with the ending
ie that you don't find out how Robin died because for me this point is irrelevant,why do we want to know?Its not like we actually knew Robin in the book as he was already dead.
In summary i am so eager to see if there will be more books to come as if there i will be reading them as soon as they get published.
kev,belfast
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Tartt's descriptions of the Ratliff brothers and their illicit drug use are amazingly real . . . almost as if Tartt participated in some undercover research in the meth/drug underworld. I also found myself completely enamored with Harriet. Tartt's descriptions of Harriet were incredible and brought up so many emotions: several times throughout the book, I fell in love with Harriet, wanted to protect her, and felt my heart break for her also.
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NEXT READING PROJECT THIS ONE.
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Hear hear! What DID happen to Robin? Loved the book and then felt cheated at the end. Are we supposed to be able to figure it out via clues in the book, like Poirot, or did Donna herself not make up her mind? Tell us, Donna!
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WHO KILLED ROBIN?? I know in real life we don't get all the answers, but this is just too frustrating! I just finished the book, so I'm still "digesting" it, but this is my first reaction. I want a sequel...
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I once read a book called "Dark Angel" by Sally Beaumount... I almost loved it as much as "The Secret History"... then the most odd thing happened... as I was reading the "Little Friend" I couldn't believe how similar they were... I can't stress how alike they are- to the point where I was actually confused on what book I was reading at times. I couldn't help but wonder if Donna Tartt was a lover of "Dark Angel" herself...I was shocked and oh so sad!
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The Little Ftiend is one of the best books I've ever read.I'm afraid to read The Secret History because I anticipate the best but somehow am afraid it won't live up to The Little Friend.
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After waiting ten years, I was disappointed when I first saw this book and could not muster any interest in reading it. But because I loved the Secret History so much, and this book was the only other one available, I gave it another shot, and am glad I did.
I was unexpectedly enthralled with all the characters and the rich language of the book, and now have these wonderful (and scary) images and people in my mind. The Secret History was terrific, and yet I felt this one was ten times better, like reading a classic.
Thank you Donna Tartt.
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Read it, loved the characters, the setting, the prose. Harriette reminded me so of Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird.....But who the hell killed the brother. Did Harriette actually have epilepsy or a high fever. Where are the lost chapters? I want answers.
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The characters became so real to me that I really want to know what happened after the end of the book. And I really want to know who killed Robin.
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It is that whole thing about "What is a satisfactory conclusion?", a sort of anti-detective genre. I was simulaniously, pleased and disappointed by the use of annoying characters - I'm thinking of Healey here.
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I was very disappointed. The author never told me what happened to Robin!
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The writing was very lush and beautiful. I was not as enthralled in these characters as I was with those in The Secret History, however.
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The things Harriet thinks and does are so much the same as I thought and imagined to do that it was almost frightening.
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