Reviews

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

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ppierre_r's review against another edition

2.0

Overall, I liked the story, but I would say half of the book has no reason to exist (in my very own opinion). There is way to much description, and the way sentences are build (especially when it comes to dialogues) is so repetitive that it would get boring very often, I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over.

angienotandy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I love some of the writing in this book, but I feel like it could have been shorter. I got stuck so many times throughout.

nglofile's review against another edition

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4.0

It has been a long while since I've lived with a book for such an extended time, but this is definitely a story that lends itself to that experience. When various circumstances dictated I step away for days or even weeks, each time I returned it seemed quite natural to slip back into the narrative, often with the added perspective that a pause and re-start can bring.

Is it an enjoyable read? Not if one is looking at common criteria such as plot or even, to a great extent, of character. However, it is thought-provoking in both theme and structure, and there was something about the writing that made it accessible even as the story developments grew increasingly off-putting.

It may well require at least as much time to reflect as it did to read, certainly if the sum impact is to be done any justice. For now I'll simply say I am very glad I was challenged to read it, and that my slow, stuttered exploration was gratifying in the end.