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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This is a the story of Theodore Decker and his time in possession of the famous painting the Goldfinch. It crosses states and country’s as he grows up and deals with all the hurtles in his life from grief to love to drug addiction to everything other less specific issue this kid deals with.
This book has a great cast of characters most of whom are pretty crummy people but really well written. Something that stuck from Secret History, which I really appreciate.
Although if I hadn’t read Secret History last simmer I do not think I would have been able to make it through all 700 pages of this book. Cause while the author does amazing characters, the plot can be a bit murky to find if you aren’t hooked by the people.
I really love the attention to detail on everything in this book. The art forms discussed from paintings to antiques seemed knowledgeable; and every setting has its own feel and distinct vibe in how the characters interact and act in it.
This book has a great cast of characters most of whom are pretty crummy people but really well written. Something that stuck from Secret History, which I really appreciate.
Although if I hadn’t read Secret History last simmer I do not think I would have been able to make it through all 700 pages of this book. Cause while the author does amazing characters, the plot can be a bit murky to find if you aren’t hooked by the people.
I really love the attention to detail on everything in this book. The art forms discussed from paintings to antiques seemed knowledgeable; and every setting has its own feel and distinct vibe in how the characters interact and act in it.
Really liked this, though the end was quite self-indulgent.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Although I admire Donna Tartt's writing, I don't warm to her books. This book is definitely a compelling read, and I don't feel as though I wasted my time reading it. When I think about what I dislike in the two I've read, (The Goldfinch, The Secret History), I find that the theme of the unmoored child/young adult is too grim. In both, most of the characters are often drunk, coked-up, pilled-up, and generally approaching every aspect of life from a remove. They are joyless. In The Goldfinch, there is a sidekick who tears through life like a child pulling wrapping paper off of all the packages, and self-destructive (and others-destructive) as he is, he feels his life. Whenever he shows up, chaos blows in hard. But so does life, and helpless love. In my opinion he is relegated more to the roles of deus ex machina and philosophical mouthpiece than he deserves to be. Because Tartt's written two good, if (from my perspective) problematical books, I'll probably read The Little Friend as well.
Probably should have been shorter. Didn't have an amazing climax. Waffled for the last 60 pages.
Still pretty good though overall.
Still pretty good though overall.
I enjoy long books. I enjoy getting to watch the characters develop and change over the course of the pages. I loved reading the description of Theo, although what I found is that his character was unable to change and grow as long as he was fixated on that painting. It was like his growth as a human was stunted the day his mother died and he became the caretaker of her memory that was attached the painting. To some the book may have seemed long, to me it was an important process representing what Theo had to go through to finally grow. He was lucky to meet a host of very rich characters a long the way. Not all of them were positive, but they all influenced his growth and allowed him to find the man he wanted to be. Settle in, and enjoy the story.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-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
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
I just can't believe Theo didn't even get to be a part of the final chase scene to get back The Goldfinch. What the what? I wish Boris had been the protagonist.
Also, the ending of the novel was much more heavy-handed than her writing usually is. I liked it somewhat--it was very quotable (though I can't remember any--I've already returned the audiobook), like little wisdom nuggets Theo dropped for the reader to take from his own harrowing life. Interesting thoughts to ruminate, especially when Boris talked about good/bad intentions and their relationship to good/bad people. But it was a little over-the-top, especially for such a literary author like Tartt.
Overall: Good not great.
Also, the ending of the novel was much more heavy-handed than her writing usually is. I liked it somewhat--it was very quotable (though I can't remember any--I've already returned the audiobook), like little wisdom nuggets Theo dropped for the reader to take from his own harrowing life. Interesting thoughts to ruminate, especially when Boris talked about good/bad intentions and their relationship to good/bad people. But it was a little over-the-top, especially for such a literary author like Tartt.
Overall: Good not great.