Susan answers “I'm 75% of the way through this book and...”

Stephanie asked this question about The Goldfinch:

I'm 75% of the way through this book and am really struggling with it. I'm finding it incredibly drawn out for little reward - is it worth finishing?

Susan I soldiered through to the end, but I'm not sure whether that was perseverance or the "sunk cost" fallacy (as in, I've invested this much time, let's …moreI soldiered through to the end, but I'm not sure whether that was perseverance or the "sunk cost" fallacy (as in, I've invested this much time, let's see how it turns out). I didn't even like the characters. The narrator is so passive that he might as well be an invertebrate. A delirious man tells him to "rescue" a painting? It never occurs to him that he's stealing. A messed up friend says "Let's do LSD/Cocaine/pills/ shots of vodka/glue," he says "uh, sure." His whole life is pretty much like that. Yes, I'm sorry for him -- mother dead, father a no-good drunken crook -- but except for running away from Las Vegas to get away from his even more messed up stepmother, and taking her little dog to save it from death by neglect (while also liberating her cash, jewelry and drugs), he never does anything but drift along with the flow. (less)

flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more