Reviews - Szczygieł | The StoryGraph

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22k reviews for:

Szczygieł

Donna Tartt

3.96 AVERAGE

thatsmrsnyder's review against another edition

3.5

dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Look, Tartt certainly knows how to compose a sentence, or a paragraph. I'm just not so sure about a STORY. I spent the first 200 pages transfixed and unsure as to where this story was going, but completely hooked. But the longer it went the more unlikeable every single character became, and the plot seemed more a series of contrivances than anything. As such, the overly philosophical ending just doesn't feel earned.

At least Hobie came through unscathed.

emphibian30's review against another edition

5.0

I have started this book so many times and enjoyed it, and this time I was determined to finish it. I’m so glad I did. It’s a coming-of-age novel that really puts you through the wringer. The stolen art aspect of the novel does not play nearly as an important role as trauma does. Without going into too much detail, I really appreciated how the author approached trauma, it’s relationship with addiction, and how it impacts all of our relationships, even those with the people who we trust the most and know are truly looking out for us. I also appreciated what the book had to say about art and it’s importance to humanity. Though the main character made what a lot of us would consider really cringey decisions, I still empathized with him and cared about him the entire time.

grolloby's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

molly_kbl's review against another edition

4.0

This one took me a month to read and was veeeeerrrrrryyyyyy slow for a bit, but I'm really glad I stuck it out (and I understand why she made that pacing choice, to be fair). Tartt writes about some really dark stuff but also pulls together some really thought-provoking themes and ideas.