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paulmichaelpeters's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this novel I got the sense that the author really enjoyed writing it. If you are a fan of getting wrapped up into elegant sentences and fall in love with characters you miss for days after finishing the last chapter as I do, you will enjoy this book.
beckydudley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kris47's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
5.0
jensebring's review against another edition
4.0
I don't quite know where to start with this review. I finished the book about 45 minutes ago and keep saying, "I don't know how I feel about it."
I gave it 4 stars because it's written beautifully. Her sentence structure is comfortable and interesting and I honestly couldn't put it down. I cracked it open 5 days ago, but didn't really start reading it until 2 days ago. It's nearly 800 pages and I finished it in 2 days. I quite literally, didn't put it down. She definitely paints a picture in your mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, HOWEVER, there were at least 5 separate occasions where I rolled my eyes wanting her to move the heck on. Some details and exchanges felt mundane. Unnecessary. DRAAWWWWWNN OUUUT. It felt labored reading, BUT once I got to another section, I felt like I truly understood the relationships because of what she'd written. I kept asking myself, "could she have edited and left some stuff out??" I couldn't definitively answer yes!? But I know that it felt like a drag reading some parts, so surely there could've been some edits, right?
In all, it was a good book. A page turner. But because the last several pages felt drawn out and long winded, I was left with a grimace on my face that I can't quite get rid of.
I gave it 4 stars because it's written beautifully. Her sentence structure is comfortable and interesting and I honestly couldn't put it down. I cracked it open 5 days ago, but didn't really start reading it until 2 days ago. It's nearly 800 pages and I finished it in 2 days. I quite literally, didn't put it down. She definitely paints a picture in your mind.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, HOWEVER, there were at least 5 separate occasions where I rolled my eyes wanting her to move the heck on. Some details and exchanges felt mundane. Unnecessary. DRAAWWWWWNN OUUUT. It felt labored reading, BUT once I got to another section, I felt like I truly understood the relationships because of what she'd written. I kept asking myself, "could she have edited and left some stuff out??" I couldn't definitively answer yes!? But I know that it felt like a drag reading some parts, so surely there could've been some edits, right?
In all, it was a good book. A page turner. But because the last several pages felt drawn out and long winded, I was left with a grimace on my face that I can't quite get rid of.
400iux's review against another edition
2.0
this was such a wild book like what on earth........ so random literally everything was random
vkce23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What to say about this book? One of the best I’ve ever read. So convincing, so compulsive, so sad, so gripping. The slower pace makes you sit with Theo’s every thought and action and immerses you completely in the character. There’s tense moments, devastating ones, self destruction and how to find a little joy where you can get it amongst the madness! Couldn’t rate it higher - 5*s for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Violence
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book. The protagonist is a very complex character - managing to be repugnant, admirable and pitiable, almost simultaneously. Although the book is really long, it captured my attention to the end.
faesrd's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hal3yj0's review against another edition
5.0
this book both opened with a bombshell, and ended with a bombshell. i don’t remember the last time a book made me sob so violently with love, hate, sadness, and sneaking up in the mix, existential dread.
it is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch.
the only downside to the novel is it’s expansive (nearly) 800 pages. a treacherous trek that took me around 3 months to read, the goldfinch is definitely a book that requires dedication from the reader.
previously, i read Tartt’s “The Secret History” and fell in love with her writing style, and my expectations were wildly exceeded in the Goldfinch. every single storytelling aspect fell right into place, the storyline so perfectly crafted from beginning to end. it was immersive in its own original way—
a voice from an alleyway, whispering “psst. hey, kid. come here” —
if i could spend my time reading the last 50 pages over and over again, i would. if i could spend it just on the last 5 pages, i would. theo’s final revelations struck a chord so deep within me, wormed their way into the very depths of my heart, mind, and soul; i couldn’t help but sit in my bed quietly, clutching the book to my chest after closing its pages. like i said, bombshell ending. yes, the philosophical ramblings were thought-evoking and emotionally tumultuous, but above all, i leave this book with a new perspective on love and death and for that, i am tremendously grateful.
it is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch.
the only downside to the novel is it’s expansive (nearly) 800 pages. a treacherous trek that took me around 3 months to read, the goldfinch is definitely a book that requires dedication from the reader.
previously, i read Tartt’s “The Secret History” and fell in love with her writing style, and my expectations were wildly exceeded in the Goldfinch. every single storytelling aspect fell right into place, the storyline so perfectly crafted from beginning to end. it was immersive in its own original way—
a voice from an alleyway, whispering “psst. hey, kid. come here” —
if i could spend my time reading the last 50 pages over and over again, i would. if i could spend it just on the last 5 pages, i would. theo’s final revelations struck a chord so deep within me, wormed their way into the very depths of my heart, mind, and soul; i couldn’t help but sit in my bed quietly, clutching the book to my chest after closing its pages. like i said, bombshell ending. yes, the philosophical ramblings were thought-evoking and emotionally tumultuous, but above all, i leave this book with a new perspective on love and death and for that, i am tremendously grateful.
elixsdgn's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Goldfinch started off so beautifully as a story about grief and trauma and ended just as beautifully. I do gotta say it did lose me a bit toward the middle/end but it was worth the struggle. I wish she had explored the grief and trauma a bit more