laurennmurphy3's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
behr's review
5.0
I fell in love with Donna Tartt through the Secret History, and I desperately wanted to read her next book, but was discouraged a little from reading it because of all the negative reviews it has, but this book-to me- was genuinely amazing. Definitely 5/5 stars. This book seems to be often overlooked, and I’m telling you, DONT make that mistake.
wackymack's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tessaays's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up. Everyone else on here seems to hate this book based on its looseness of plot line. I definitely understand where the criticism is coming from, but for the most part I found it riveting, despite the frequently superfluous detail. To me it came across as a world-building exercise rather than flowery. Tartt builds suspense as effectively as most action movies. And the ending was devastating and perfect. No easy answers for anyone and leaves you grasping at the world. Overall, I’d still recommend it highly, though it is definitely more work to get through than the Goldfinch.
ashleyfo's review
5.0
an orobourous of a novel that was never meant to be anything else. tartt is successful in what she sets out to do, and while many readers have found the ending frusterating and meaningless, this is exact point of the novel. reminiscent of to kill a mockingbird with a much darker, murderous overtone.
gersonswhistle's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gracequast13's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cass_booktok's review
It is too slow paced for me. Seems more like a filler book. Might pick it back up later