WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE
“The Goldfinch is a rarity that comes along perhaps half a dozen times per decade, a smartly written literary novel that connects with the heart as well as the mind….Donna Tartt has delivered an extraordinary work of fiction.” — Stephen King, The New York Times Book Review
Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his … that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don’t know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.
As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love—and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle. The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the ruthless machinations of fate.
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I didn’t like the characters and don’t care for reading books when I don’t like and can’t relate to the characters.
Very long, didn’t move enough for me.
loved it !
I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age story. I remained invested and intrigued as I followed the flawed but loveable protagonist through the phases of personal development, life’s cruel challenges, mistakes. The rich tapestry of supporting characters was very strong, each playing an essential role in this tale of art, friendship, love, betrayal, …
Great read!
Too weird!
Loved most of the characters in this book
Predictable and tedious.
I have never read a book like this. It took me a little bit to get into but once I did, I was hooked. The story was so original. It’s been a few years since I first read this book, but it remains my favorite.
Can not wait to see the movie. Read this two years ago and was so fascinated with Boris as one of the best literary antagonists I’ve ever read. Loved the book all the way through. Donna Tartt is a wonderful writer.
donna tare writes excellent novels she develops her characters well
A coming of age story with all that format’s good and bad. The protagonist is interrupted in his development by his mother’s death and with an absent father, has no model for becoming an adult. The prose is wonderful and the story is engrossing. Painful in parts.
Overly long. Needed a good editor.
Very very long. But worth it.
I was hoping it be more metaphorical. The middle could have been shorter, more about Theo and his dad. There was one section where Theo made a comment about his father’s actions, while it was left hanging.
If someone put a gun to my head and made me choose between The Goldfinch and Secret History…I would be very sad 🙁
It was a bit slow in parts.
Vivid descriptions of scenes and places. Well developed and memorable characters
I did not like this book. An interesting plot in the beginning but then the characters spin out of control and the author never gets them back. Pages and pages of unrelated or loosely connected events that don’t contribute to the plot or theme or purpose of the book.
Over the top with adjectives and descriptions, but an interesting and highly original story with great character development.