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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
It pains me to try to rate this book. I absolutely love the section that takes place in Las Vegas. When I saw Tartt read from the book, she mentioned that she had written a part of it many years ago. I suspect that long-written part is the Vegas part. Most of the rest of the book feels slow and less spirited. There's a lot of telling rather than showing; perhaps that would not necessarily be a problem in some books, but the fact that it stood out to me feels wrong. Like so many other readers, I wanted to love this book. Alas, I loved some of it, and the rest was just okay. Yes, by all means, read it. But, in my opinion, it's not her best.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
The plot and character development were great, but I was surprised how much the prose lagged for such a well-renowned novel.
It’s impossible to articulate everything I want to say over such a long and dense book and such a glorious and gifted author.
I had some reservations going into this book but I trust Donna Tartt. I trust her writing capabilities and talent but as I mentioned above, reading this book is dense and it took commitment to get through it.
It was a willing commitment!
The secret history is great and I don’t need to harp on about that. I also enjoyed The Little Friend but that one had its challenges. It’s a slow, difficult and meandering read and whilst I knew that The Goldfinch is cherished by a lot of people, I’m also aware how divided the reviews are. I don’t normally pay any attention to what other people are saying about books, albums or films before I experience them for myself but if like me you use “Booktok” then you will know that Donna Tartt is everywhere in that community.
This book got me good! The strange thing is that despite its length it’s an easy enough to get through and quite fast paced I found! I enjoyed it immensely and so 2 weeks didn’t feel like 2 weeks whilst reading this.
There is a tension that runs throughout this book that had me hooked! Theo is someone who doesn’t know peace (even before the explosion) but especially after his mother’s death. His life is chaotic and emotionally turbulent and the whole book felt charged with that energy! Wanting him to settle and find peace in the midst of all this craziness kept me invested!
I’ll leave it at that as there is way too much ground to cover over 864 pages with my thoughts but I’ll end by saying this. That Little bird, Theo and Borris totally kicked The Secret History’s ass! Henry Winter wouldn’t stand a fucking chance against Boris!
Team Goldfinch all the way!
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm so torn in between extremes in how I feel about this book, like so many other reviewers! I really loved the first few hundred pages - didn't even mind how heavy they were. But I almost felt like I was running through really thick mud by the end, rushing through it and feeling strong at first but eventually slowing, getting discouraged, and then choking on it. Not my greatest metaphor -but my energy and resolve gradually decreased as I inched my way through. I was so exhausted by the end that I had no patience with the rambling and contemplative reflections of Theo, the main character.
I rooted for Theo and his eventual happiness, even as he experienced loss after loss and continued to make terrible decisions. But I didn't like him. I couldn't! like! anyone!! Not only was he selfish and self-sorry, but so awful to everyone next to him, even those he loved (too much), like Pippa. Even though I halfway hated him, I was still so angry by the lukewarm ending. I think, in general, I was just miserable reading this book and nothing could've made me happy.
But I LOVED it?? I'm so caught up in the story still. It reminded me slightly of Wally Lamb's writing, of following a character (and alllll of the bad things that happen to them) throughout their entire life. I told all my friends to read it; I hope they do and feel even worse than I did! That's what this book made me want to do.
I'm tired of this, but will I read Donna Tartt's other books? Even if they were way worse, I'm sure I would.
I rooted for Theo and his eventual happiness, even as he experienced loss after loss and continued to make terrible decisions. But I didn't like him. I couldn't! like! anyone!! Not only was he selfish and self-sorry, but so awful to everyone next to him, even those he loved (too much), like Pippa. Even though I halfway hated him, I was still so angry by the lukewarm ending. I think, in general, I was just miserable reading this book and nothing could've made me happy.
But I LOVED it?? I'm so caught up in the story still. It reminded me slightly of Wally Lamb's writing, of following a character (and alllll of the bad things that happen to them) throughout their entire life. I told all my friends to read it; I hope they do and feel even worse than I did! That's what this book made me want to do.
I'm tired of this, but will I read Donna Tartt's other books? Even if they were way worse, I'm sure I would.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria
Minor: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail