The Goldfinch in 2015 Reading Challenge

Nov 01, 2014 Julia rated it liked it

Even after taking proper time to process the happenings of this novel, I'm still torn in regards to how I feel about it. Some parts I loathed (particularly the length, as I'm more of a "get to the point" type of reader), while some parts I loved. I seem to find many diamonds in the rough in Tartt's two novels I've read, but I'm not sure that warrants a positive review of the book. To be an objective reviewer, I looked up some discussion questions for book clubs reading this novel, which helped m Even after taking proper time to process the happenings of this novel, I'm still torn in regards to how I feel about it. Some parts I loathed (particularly the length, as I'm more of a "get to the point" type of reader), while some parts I loved. I seem to find many diamonds in the rough in Tartt's two novels I've read, but I'm not sure that warrants a positive review of the book. To be an objective reviewer, I looked up some discussion questions for book clubs reading this novel, which helped me process as well. Thoughts:

The title (and the famous painting) and indeed the theme of the book. The little delicate Goldfinch, chained on it's perch much like Theo chained to his past. The fact that there's so much complication with the painting throughout the book (I'll reserve as to not provide too many spoilers) makes the Goldfinch that much more illustrative to Theo's life.

Some parts of this book, particularly Theo's relationships with Pippa and Kitsey, made me want to devour the pages. I was interested in how Theo would interact with women in his life, especially because his mother passed at a crucial developmental age for Theo. There were other pieces of the novel that kept me intrigued, such as when Theo first loses his mother and when he goes to Las Vegas, but Tartt, as she did in The Secret History, loved to prolong her story as though she was getting paid by the word. I tried my very best to lose myself in the art of her writing, but alas my patience wore thin and I found myself begging the details of furniture restoration and drug descriptions to end.

I did love how in the end, Tartt explains this novel as a long, written letter from Theo to his mother about the details of his life thus far. It explains how much her death defined him. Theo's destruction of his own life showed how guilty he felt for his mother's death, even if he didn't outright admit it. Also, the painting was a symbol of his guilt; the fact that he hid it, but treasured it, did ridiculously stupid things to hold on to it, he would do anything to ensure it's safety (even though he was safely keeping a Civics book half the time by mistake!). I found it interesting, too, that the night before he was going to turn himself in to the authorities he dreamt of his mother, facing him and addressing him, which he hadn't before. I believe this is symbolic of him letting go of his guilt (the painting) and letting life take it's natural course.

The Barbour family was incredibly interesting. It interested me that Theo ended up, for a short time during childhood and then again as an adult, in a household with deep rooted mental instability; the fact that he also had mental health issues to deal with is quite ironic. However, I loved Andy and his sweet geeky-ness, and I think Mrs. Barbour loved Theo even as a child, although she wasn't able to necessarily show it, whether due to social pressures or internal struggle. I think she was afraid to get attached, and when Theo returned I think she replaced Andy with Theo.

Boris is an incredible character. His personality leaped from the pages. While he bothered me because he was a hinderance to Theo's well being at times (and I of course wanted the best for Theo!), he was Theo's wild side, the part of himself that he had in him all along but wouldn't have expressed without Boris. Boris was plain and simple in his analysis of the world: you can have what you want, just go get it. Although I noticed some latent homosexual tendencies in their teenage years, I think ideologically Boris was a good friend to Theo. I think Boris made some horrible and irresponsible decisions, but I think that got Theo into thinking in a way he hadn't before.

Theo's father drove me insane, and so did Xandra. I've read too many good, heartfelt endings I suppose. I wanted his father to turn his life around and take care of his son, be present and a good role model. But his father also had a mental sickness: addiction, as did Xandra, who was simply an enabler. Theo was in an incredibly delicate state when he went to Las Vegas, and in his formative years, and his father and Xandra made a huge impact on who he would become. I wonder if his father were different how Theo would end up.

It's incredibly insightful that Tartt used Hobie as a main character in Theo's life; his furniture restoration was definitely a parallel to his desire to restore Theo's life. Theo did what he knew how to do from his father's lessons: swindle to get what you want. Unfortunately Hobie didn't want to see the negative in Theo and was clouded with the idea of restoring him.

It's hard to say how Theo might end up, as the book's conclusion left his life open. I don't think he'll end up with either Pippa or Kitsey. He seems like he might be better off alone, at least until he deals with his own demons.

All in all, I think I need to read it again (DID I JUST SAY THAT!?). I feel that there are so many things I'd like to reanalyze, now that I know how things turn out. That being said, I don't know if this is a work of art or a pile of 771 pages of blah; I don't think I'll ever figure that out.
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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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Sep 09, 2013 Marcilia rated it liked it

The synopsis of this book had me at “an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the ruthless machinations of fate”.

I am very interested in the concept of fate and having experienced many sides of loss and of obsession I felt I could relate to this story very well.

I loved the beginning of this book, especially Theo’s mom. She loves art and makes us fall in love with art by the way she describes and acts regarding art. When she describes how she feels about a p ...more

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Nov 14, 2013 Sarah rated it really liked it

I loved this book! I have thought for a couple days what to write in this review, but the one thing that really sticks out for me is the character development. The characters were unforgettable, and I loved how they continued to unfold throughout the story - I rarely got bored, despite the length of the book.

I would love to read more of her work!

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Feb 04, 2014 Val rated it it was ok · review of another edition

There is some wonderful writing throughout this book, but it is severely detracted from by the 'Harry Potter meets "Valley of the Dolls"' subplots, and other unnecessary twists in the story. There's something to be said for a good editor. ...more

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