aimeeh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aeg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
margeryb's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it enough to read all of the 771 pages. I think it is definitely a book I'm going to have to dwell on for some time to really try and understand all it was saying. I reserve the right to change my star rating for another time, but to rate it purely from the level of how much I enjoyed the reading experience, I'm giving it three stars.
What else can I say? I think it could've been shorter. Boris stole the show anytime he was on the page. (Definitely my favorite parts of the book.) It is clear that Donna Tartt is passionate about art, and I think that is a good passion to put on the page even though it goes philosophical. On the other hand, there were parts that were boring and parts that were wordy and parts that I couldn't wrap my head around. It was also one of those stories were the female love interest had significantly less page-time and character development than the male best friend, and whether Tartt was doing something thematically with that intentionally (which I definitely found hints of) or unintentionally in just a standard reflection of how a lot of our mass media places time on these relationships does influence my perspective (and rating) of the story. However, again, still contemplating and haven't decided yet.
What else can I say? I think it could've been shorter. Boris stole the show anytime he was on the page. (Definitely my favorite parts of the book.) It is clear that Donna Tartt is passionate about art, and I think that is a good passion to put on the page even though it goes philosophical. On the other hand, there were parts that were boring and parts that were wordy and parts that I couldn't wrap my head around. It was also one of those stories were the female love interest had significantly less page-time and character development than the male best friend, and whether Tartt was doing something thematically with that intentionally (which I definitely found hints of) or unintentionally in just a standard reflection of how a lot of our mass media places time on these relationships does influence my perspective (and rating) of the story. However, again, still contemplating and haven't decided yet.
marybells's review against another edition
Very well written, too bad that I would punch the narrator in the face if I met him in real life.
Picked up The Goldfinch to read after finding it in a Half Price Bookstore and said to myself, 'hey, why not?'. So I'm honestly not that surprised that I decided to not finish the book after thinking 'hey, this isn't worth it.' It was just blegh.
The Goldfinch focuses on our narrator Theo Decker whose mother dies when they visit an Art Museum and an explosion occurs. During the chaos, Theo steals his mother's favorite painting, "The Goldfinch", and hides it away for reasons he's not sure of. Then he keeps it for a really long time because he doesn't want to go to jail for not turning it in earlier. After his mother's death he lives with his friend Andy's family who are super rich and enjoy going sailing in the summers. Fun? The situation is only temporary though until his father is found living in Las Vegas with his girlfriend Xandra. Yes. Xandra, it wasn't a typo. During his tenure there, Theo tries every single drug he can find with his very very close buddy Boris. Yes. Boris. As usual with Theo's terrible luck and complete lack of motivation to do anything, his dad gets killed in a car accident after trying to run from thug creditors. Theo moves back to New York and moves in with this older gentleman who teaches him all about antique furniture.
By this point, I could only get through about 10 pages at a time it was so dull to read and Theo became the biggest asshole ever.
Theo then proceeds over the years to turn the old guy's antique shop into a huge scam by selling counterfeit pieces to dumb but really rich people and using the profits to buy copious amounts of drugs. Eventually he finds out that his buddy Andy died a few years ago and in some bizarre turn of events, gets engaged to Andy's sister.
So, that's where I gave up. I know that Theo eventually gets involved in the black market with fine art and honestly I just don't care. I mean, yes it was beautifully written, but I just so thoroughly detested the main character that I couldn't continue. I don't feel bad for him and I don't understand him. Yes he has PTSD from the explosion, but that doesn't mean that gives a person permission to ruin all the lives around him too.
Don't really recommend to be frank. Just not my cup of tea.
Picked up The Goldfinch to read after finding it in a Half Price Bookstore and said to myself, 'hey, why not?'. So I'm honestly not that surprised that I decided to not finish the book after thinking 'hey, this isn't worth it.' It was just blegh.
The Goldfinch focuses on our narrator Theo Decker whose mother dies when they visit an Art Museum and an explosion occurs. During the chaos, Theo steals his mother's favorite painting, "The Goldfinch", and hides it away for reasons he's not sure of. Then he keeps it for a really long time because he doesn't want to go to jail for not turning it in earlier. After his mother's death he lives with his friend Andy's family who are super rich and enjoy going sailing in the summers. Fun? The situation is only temporary though until his father is found living in Las Vegas with his girlfriend Xandra. Yes. Xandra, it wasn't a typo. During his tenure there, Theo tries every single drug he can find with his very very close buddy Boris. Yes. Boris. As usual with Theo's terrible luck and complete lack of motivation to do anything, his dad gets killed in a car accident after trying to run from thug creditors. Theo moves back to New York and moves in with this older gentleman who teaches him all about antique furniture.
By this point, I could only get through about 10 pages at a time it was so dull to read and Theo became the biggest asshole ever.
Theo then proceeds over the years to turn the old guy's antique shop into a huge scam by selling counterfeit pieces to dumb but really rich people and using the profits to buy copious amounts of drugs. Eventually he finds out that his buddy Andy died a few years ago and in some bizarre turn of events, gets engaged to Andy's sister.
So, that's where I gave up. I know that Theo eventually gets involved in the black market with fine art and honestly I just don't care. I mean, yes it was beautifully written, but I just so thoroughly detested the main character that I couldn't continue. I don't feel bad for him and I don't understand him. Yes he has PTSD from the explosion, but that doesn't mean that gives a person permission to ruin all the lives around him too.
Don't really recommend to be frank. Just not my cup of tea.
jenjwms's review against another edition
3.0
Uggghhhh ... Call me a Philistine but this was appalling. It was So Bleak! And I hated Theodore and wanted to see him locked up. On a positive, I’ll never feel guilty about three glasses of wine and a bowl of ice cream again after reading of the epic drug and alcohol abuse in this tale! The irony is that, much like Theo and Boris, I became addicted - addicted to the story and to finding out what happens in the end.
seggler's review against another edition
1.0
Nope. I could not stand this book. At the same time, I understand why it got such rave reviews. The secret history was good, and this novel was not poorly written at all, you can admire the talent of the author here but it's just an unfulfilling story that would have benefited from some significant editing and perhaps different story choices. Are editors these days too afraid of Authors who have proven their talent already? A good author is nothing without their editor, and this novel was severely let down by that. Anyway, the story was not for me. I'm glad others have enjoyed it.
eleanormaddy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
slow to start, lots of story building for all action to happen in last 200 pages
Very well written, very descriptive and immersive but slow to build, tired of it by the end but very good story and all links up nicely
Very well written, very descriptive and immersive but slow to build, tired of it by the end but very good story and all links up nicely
ainsleym's review against another edition
will probably finish at some point but was very slow paced and lost motivation to keep listening to audiobook
kamykiins's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
4.0
2018 Reading Challenge- Read a book that intimidates you
This was kind of the logical choice when it came to choosing a book that intimidates me. I mean, 771 pages is nothing short of daunting and I knew this was going to be a literary book (not 800 pages of lighthearted romps and goofs). And after about a month of reading, I'm done! And I really liked it! I agree with most reviews that express frustrations over the repetitiveness and overly detailed parts- I too struggled with some sections and really had to read and reread passages to make sure I understood them. But, even with all that, I thought the story was interesting and exciting, the characters all deeply flawed and doing their best, and the New York City setting made for another level of interest for me. I don't know if I'd recommend this book since it is kind of dark and really meant for a certain type of reader (one who enjoys a little suffering, I think) AND the page count is a little shocking. But if you're interested, I'd say dive in and go for it. The story really was worth the effort.
This was kind of the logical choice when it came to choosing a book that intimidates me. I mean, 771 pages is nothing short of daunting and I knew this was going to be a literary book (not 800 pages of lighthearted romps and goofs). And after about a month of reading, I'm done! And I really liked it! I agree with most reviews that express frustrations over the repetitiveness and overly detailed parts- I too struggled with some sections and really had to read and reread passages to make sure I understood them. But, even with all that, I thought the story was interesting and exciting, the characters all deeply flawed and doing their best, and the New York City setting made for another level of interest for me. I don't know if I'd recommend this book since it is kind of dark and really meant for a certain type of reader (one who enjoys a little suffering, I think) AND the page count is a little shocking. But if you're interested, I'd say dive in and go for it. The story really was worth the effort.