Sarah 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?

Sarah Nichols I suspect that folks who use the that term have never read Dickens! It is a long book like many of Dickens' works and the plot also relies on coincide…moreI suspect that folks who use the that term have never read Dickens! It is a long book like many of Dickens' works and the plot also relies on coincidence. But Dickens uses the English language masterfully to spin ripping good yarns. Tartt is just long-winded and her story has no narrative payoff.(less)

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