Hard disagree, it may be pretentious but Tartt's writing is immaculate, one of few first rate contemporary authors. The unflinching and unreliable insight into

Hard disagree, it may be pretentious but Tartt's writing is immaculate, one of few first rate contemporary authors. The unflinching and unreliable insight into shared delusion and how being caught up in an imagined Greek tale distorts reality and perception of humanity. It truly is a tragedy. Compare it to the contemporaries it has spawned/influenced - all trite genre lit evoking those dire theatre kids from college (losers, not pretentious in my experience).