After reading the Oct. 23 Record article about Donna Tartt’s novel The Secret History, I knew that as a former Record editor, former classics major, and current Tartt aficionado, I had to write about meeting her. 

Like Richard Pappen, I came to college having already studied ancient Greek. I had many memorable classes in the wood paneled rooms of the former Stetson Hall. I spent most of my time in class in the noumenal realm. Heck, I even briefly smoked Parliament Lights (I know, I know) that one semester I took Greek lyric poetry, ancient Greek philosophy, and Greek sculpture. But I only discovered The Secret History after Williams while I was in the UK as a Herchel Smith fellow.

The Goldfinch was published when I was teaching at Villanova University, and Tartt did a reading and book signing at the Free Library of Philadelphia. 

When I had the chance, I knew meeting Donna Tartt, if only for a minute, would be a nerve-wracking experience,so I had to be prepared. I confess I even worried about what I would wear.

For a solid week, I wondered what I would say to her as she was signing my copy of the book. Would I mention we’re both Catholic? Should I thank her for the ghosts of Thomas Aquinas and Flannery O’Connor in The Little Friend? 

“Maybe I could mention that, while I was a student at Regis High School in New York City, I, like Theodore Decker, spent a lot of time in Upper East Side museums?” I thought. “Wait, my son is named Theodore, I should definitely mention that!”

As she was signing, I said (less coolly than I had wanted), “I studied classics at Williams.” 

“Classics at Williams?” she replied. “How wonderful! I love Williams.” 

Friends, I think my feet touched the ground a week later.

Sincerely,

Scott D. Moringiello ’01