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A review by bink_64
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
1.0
Let me start by saying that I was warned I would not like this book but I chose not to listen to this and went into it with an open mind. I would advise anyone who suffers from depression, alcoholism or drug abuse to avoid this book or you will sink into depths of darkness from which you may not recover.
Theo Decker survives a tragic accident that takes the life of his mother at an art museum. His father is an alcoholic who has disappeared from their lives. In the midst of a terrorist attack that took the life of his mother, Theo stole a priceless painting from the museum. He actually never intended to keep it but once he had it, it brought him comfort and reminded him of his mother. This part of the book is great, I thought I was going to love it. It was well written, engaging and tragic. The reader feels for the plight of Theo who is now without parents, sent to live with a friend, becomes part of the child welfare system, suffers from ptsd, endures bullying and social workers. Enter the long lost father and a girlfriend from Las Vegas.
The story then becomes drivel. It is all about Theo and his friend, Boris drinking until they are unconscious, stealing, doing drugs. For 800 pages this is all the book is about is the life of a drug addict/alcoholic and how much drugs he takes and what kinds, how high he is, how much alcohol is consumes. He would have been dead. Throw in his stealing from his employer, being involved in art underworld crime, mafia type stuff. Really horrendous. Can not believe anyone thought this was a great book.
This book could have been so much more but instead is an 800 page pile of garbage. Do not waste your time.
Theo Decker survives a tragic accident that takes the life of his mother at an art museum. His father is an alcoholic who has disappeared from their lives. In the midst of a terrorist attack that took the life of his mother, Theo stole a priceless painting from the museum. He actually never intended to keep it but once he had it, it brought him comfort and reminded him of his mother. This part of the book is great, I thought I was going to love it. It was well written, engaging and tragic. The reader feels for the plight of Theo who is now without parents, sent to live with a friend, becomes part of the child welfare system, suffers from ptsd, endures bullying and social workers. Enter the long lost father and a girlfriend from Las Vegas.
The story then becomes drivel. It is all about Theo and his friend, Boris drinking until they are unconscious, stealing, doing drugs. For 800 pages this is all the book is about is the life of a drug addict/alcoholic and how much drugs he takes and what kinds, how high he is, how much alcohol is consumes. He would have been dead. Throw in his stealing from his employer, being involved in art underworld crime, mafia type stuff. Really horrendous. Can not believe anyone thought this was a great book.
This book could have been so much more but instead is an 800 page pile of garbage. Do not waste your time.