No, while the novel takes place in a realistic academic setting and draws from classical Greek traditions, it is entirely fictional. However, Donna Tartt did attend Bennington College, which likely influenced the novel's setting and atmosphere.

Unlike traditional murder mysteries where the reader discovers who committed the crime, The Secret History reveals the murderers and their victim at the beginning. The suspense comes from understanding how and why educated, privileged students could commit such an act.

Classical studies serve as both a backdrop and catalyst for the story's events. The characters' immersion in ancient Greek thought provides them with a framework to justify their actions, while also highlighting the dangerous allure of trying to live by ancient philosophical ideals in the modern world.