The Goldfinch in 2015 Reading Challenge [Closed]

Jun 23, 2014 Kelly rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: top-of-the-to-read-list

Wow. I just finished The Goldfinch and I fear if I don't write a review immediately, I never will. I'm not sure I can give this book a star rating. After closing my Kindle, I looked at some reviews from others, trying to gauge what other people thought of it. Some gave glowing reviews, some not at all, and, strangely, I kind of have to agree with both. There is some brilliance in this book, beautiful words, poetic sentences, excellent character development. But I can't help but ask, where was th ...more

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Mar 01, 2014 Amadi rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: pulitzer-winner, tournament-of-books

I've given The Goldfinch 3 stars, but I really want to give it 2.5. I thought parts of it were extraordinarily well written and I really came to care about the characters. This novel had so many elements that could have made me love it, but those elements were somehow wasted. I'm giving 2.5 stars, because I never hit that sweet spot - that point in the book at which I don't want to put it down. In fact, I put it down often. I'm not sure why though. I really think that Donna Tartt had great ideas ...more

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Mar 20, 2014 ktouton rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: general-fiction

This is a LONG book. It takes a lot of concentration to follow this book. I read to relax and enjoy the "me" time. This book did not fit that bill. Wish I could have loved this book like so many other people did. ...more

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Jun 13, 2014 Michelle H rated it liked it · review of another edition

from www.thebookdorks.com

I REALLY liked the beginning of this book. I felt like the narrator had an authentic childlike voice, the mom was likable, and their visit to the museum seemed tense and plausible. The terrorist attack was wrenching and awful to read. Theo's stay at the Barbour's condo seemed just strained enough to be realistic as well. However, I didn't like it so much when Theo got transported out to Nevada. I mean, wouldn't the CPS folks still check on him? Wouldn't somebody notice from www.thebookdorks.com

I REALLY liked the beginning of this book. I felt like the narrator had an authentic childlike voice, the mom was likable, and their visit to the museum seemed tense and plausible. The terrorist attack was wrenching and awful to read. Theo's stay at the Barbour's condo seemed just strained enough to be realistic as well. However, I didn't like it so much when Theo got transported out to Nevada. I mean, wouldn't the CPS folks still check on him? Wouldn't somebody notice that he became this wasted burnout and his essentially deadbeat dad had no actual job before sending him off with him? Sure, maybe they were just glad to be rid of the nuisance of an orphaned kid who turned out to have an actual, although clearly negligent, parent, but still...I feel like there were some serious red flags here. Yikes. And the drugs. The drugs. Oh man, the drugs. I do wish there had been a little less of that. I mean, I get it, you know?

This novel is an award winner, and one the critics love arguing about. I'm no critic, but here's what I felt it did exceptionally well: character development and language. I loved Boris and Hobie and actually felt that half of the time I'd rather be reading THEIR stories rather than Theo's, as he was kind of depressing and out of touch. Also, there were definite times when the language soared from the page and seemed inspired. Unfortunately, for every one of those passages, there were a dozen pages where I literally fell asleep reading because the language became tedious, prosaic, and overdone. (Tartt definitely doesn't subscribe to the "show/don't tell" method of writing.)

Which brings me to my complaints: the novel was thoroughly researched which I definitely respect. But sometimes, it felt as if the author was being a bit of a pretentious know-it-all and her showing off the copious amounts of research took precedence over the flow of the story. Also, at times it felt like the story itself and the background on the painting were kind of cobbled together in a somewhat forced way. Take out The Goldfinch and you could sub in basically any painting. It seemed like the art piece itself kind of lifts out, so I wished it were a bit more seamless. But maybe that is just because I know zero about art.

So, essentially, I guess I do like this book but it is TOO DARN LONG. I mean, Theo meanders around quite a bit, and then about halfway through, the book skips forward a whole eight years, (so clearly Tartt has no qualms about interrupting her chronology,) but I still feel like several hundred pages could be cut without damaging (and in fact, improving) the story. In particular, the private school in NY and the Nevada stuff could have been shortened A LOT. What could have been added was just how Theo got involved in the elaborate furniture sales deception, an anecdote about how Hobie got into making his composite pieces, how the two initially set up their work relationship, and more of Pippa (I adored Pippa!). Additionally, I think the slow pace of the majority of the book made the climax in Amsterdam feel hastily done.

Overall, I guess The Goldfinch was worth reading and I mostly enjoyed it. However, I don't think it will get a reread and I'm pretty sure I need to cleanse my palate with something mindless for a while! ...more

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