The Goldfinch is one of the books that has lost nothing of its popularity since winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2014. I was quite surprised that it was so popular given its subject matter and number of pages. But after I finished the book, I realized why it was so popular. Here is a book that appeals to everyone.
The Goldfinch tells the story of Theo, who lost his mother in a terrorist act when he was only thirteen years old. There was an explosion at The Metropolitan Museum when Theo and his mother were looking at pictures. Theo, who was in another part of the museum at the time, couldn’t find his mother. Just after the explosion, he starts to wander around to find his mother, but he sees an older man, almost dying. This guy gives him a ring and an address. Of course, he also gives Theo the painting as it is with them on the ground, which is the famous painting The Goldfinch. After that, it’s an adventure that lasts eight hundred pages.
The Goldfinch was a book I enjoyed reading. I liked all the characters, and my favourite is definitely Boris. But after a while, I couldn’t help but think that the book could be much shorter. When the book ended, I found myself thinking “So what?”. I guess my expectation was a little too much for this book. While waiting for a literary work, I came across an average novel. If you are curious about it, read it. After all, this is an enjoyable book. But if I could get back the time I had spent on reading it, I would have watched the film.
About the book: the Goldfinch
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2014
Aged thirteen, Theo Decker, son of a devoted mother and a reckless. Largely absent father, survives an accident that otherwise tears his life apart. Alone and rudderless in New York, he is take in by the family of a wealthy friend. He is torment by an unbearable longing for his mother.
And down the years clings to the thing that most reminds him of her. A small, strangely captivating painting that ultimately draws him into the criminal underworld. As he grows up, Theo learns to glide between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty antiques store where he works. He is alienate and in love – and his talisman. The painting, places him at the centre of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.
The Goldfinch is a haunted odyssey through present-day America and a drama of enthralling power. Combining unforgettably vivid characters and thrilling suspense, it is a beautiful, addictive triumph. A sweeping story of loss and obsession, of survival and self-invention, of the deepest mysteries of love, identity and fate.
About the author: Donna Tartt
Donna Tartt is an American writer, the author of the novels The Secret History, The Little Friend, and The Goldfinch. Tartt won the WH Smith Literary Award for The Little Friend in 2003 and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Goldfinch in 2014.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:Ā
2 Comments
I just borrowed this from a friend and will try to read it. Have no idea how I’ll carry it around with me though, haha.
I remember changing my usual bag to a backpack just to be able to carry this around. Maybe you can read it when it snows? š