Jennifer Bowers 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?

Jennifer Bowers Dickens's books were very long, b/c he was paid by the word -- many of his novels were serialized in magazines before they were published as books. Do…moreDickens's books were very long, b/c he was paid by the word -- many of his novels were serialized in magazines before they were published as books. Donna Tartt was probably not paid by the word, but she has written a novel of Dickensian length. It was about 200 pages too long. At page 500/718 I was ready for the resolution and felt like, "Get with the point already!"(less)

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