Caz Monet answers “A lot of reviewers have called this book...”

Ami asked this question about The Goldfinch:

A lot of reviewers have called this book "Dickensian." What is it about The Goldfinch that reminds everyone of Charles Dickens so much?

Caz Monet I have to agree with Sarah's comment. I don't even consider Tartt a post-modern Dickens, and I wonder if Donna Tartt would appreciate the Dickens comp…moreI have to agree with Sarah's comment. I don't even consider Tartt a post-modern Dickens, and I wonder if Donna Tartt would appreciate the Dickens comparison? Dickens wrote beautifully rounded narratives with their twists and turns and well rounded 'endings' for, if not all, the majority of his characters that would appeal to his readership of the day (several of his novels were published first in magazines, I think - though I stand to be corrected). That's not to say how a novel should be, especially not the modern novel. I generally enjoyed The Goldfinch, though I got terribly bored during the middle section (that's a reflection of my (approaching-)middle-aged intolerance of self-indulgent teenagers. (less)

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