the magic circle

The Magic Circle, Jenny Davidson

Billed as "The Secret History​ as directed by Whit Stillman," it's near-impossible to read The Magic Circle ​and not think of Donna Tartt's 1992 book. (Tartt's next book, The Goldfinch, is slated to be published this October; that's one to look forward to!)

Davidson's short novel, ostensibly about game designers staging a live-action role play of the Bacchae​, calls on many elements of Greek tragedy, updated for the Internet age. It's a quick read, but perhaps too freighted with references; my mind wandered, and I found myself thinking of, say, the maenad season of True Blood ​(season two?).