A review by swaggynikki
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book is incredible. It's 800 pages and I read it in like two weeks in between homework and college apps, as in "in a time period where I really should not have had the time to read an 800 page book". I read it fast because I couldn't stand not to shove it into my brain like a feral creature starving for vivid scenery and homoerotic friendships and reflections on the human condition, and I read it fast so I could reflect on it as soon as possible, so I could read it again. I want to Know this book. I want to know it forwards and backwards and recognize all the symbols and hold them in my mind so I can notice them when I read it again. I finished the book by marathoning the last 2 chapters and for the rest of the evening I've had that spacey feeling where I can't get out of the headspace a book made for me. I'll probably reread the Vegas chapters, like, tomorrow of I'm being honest. I was surprised by how much of the book was unrelated to the Goldfinch and was more about Theo (and Boris) getting stupid high, but honestly I liked it. It felt all grimey and moralistic. 
My favorite aspects of the book:
1. Boris 
My least favorite aspects of the book:
2. The parts with no Boris
Like, I get it serves the narrative. But please. I love him. I love how unhinged and free he is. He's that typical "insane morally gray man" but he isn't morally gray! He's good and open and trusting and kind! I will be honest, the beginning of the book sets the scene wonderfully, but by page 150 I was just powering through like "where is he. where is he. where is he. where is he." Like, reading specifically for Boris just because I knew I would love him so much. I think the women in this book where kinda lacking, but not even in complexity, just in page time. The balance of characters was so good, the roles they played in his life were so good, the last section was so good. This book will stick with me and consume my mind and I'm happy about it. Ugh.
P.S. Popchyk being a crusty white dog was camp tbh. Yas queercoding.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings