22.1k reviews for:

Щиголь

Donna Tartt

3.96 AVERAGE


This was a looooong audiobook (+ 32 hours), performed superbly by David Pittu. I say performed rather than read because this really was an audio performance. I loved this book from the very first word and I really, really would like to see it made into a movie. I see Adrian Brody as adult Boris.

What I took away from this is that everything that happens to us makes us who we are. One event can change the entire course of our lives. Would Theo have turned out differently if he hadn't been in the museum that morning with his mother? Go back even further. Would Theo even have been in the museum if he hadn't gotten into trouble at school?

I, like Welty and Theo, and Boris, became obsessed by the painting. I looked it up and it IS a real painting. This story is fictitious but plausible.
adventurous dark tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

[review incoming; need time to process]
emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

The book was a bit slow at times, but I loved its story of art and the need to preserve it. Theo’s struggles and Boris’s chaotic presence kept me wondering whether Boris was a blessing or a curse. And honestly, I wish I could wander through Hobie’s store and get lost among the treasures.
That being said, the themes in this book, mainly the drug abuse, alcoholism, the suicide thoughts and murder/death doesn't make this book an easy read. There are a whole lot of deranged/manipulative people in this book. Be warned!
It's a book that stays with you and make you think about your own upbringing and motivations in life.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

somewhere between 4.25 and 4.5. This was SO GOOD. Also Boris <3 best character
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging slow-paced

This is food is so fucking good Lois!
dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"How had I fetched up into this strange new life, where drunk foreigners shouted around me in the night, and all my clothes were dirty, and nobody loved me?"

crazy to some (me)