A review by fairytalefootnotes
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Overall: ⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes, etc: Coming of Age, Morally Grey Characters
POV: Single, 1st Person

Notable Quote: “In the midst of our dying, as we rise from the organic and sink back ignominiously into the organic, it is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch.”

The Praise: I liked the general message surrounding the importance of art. I also enjoyed the last 30% of the book. Boris practically carried the entire book for me. 

The Critique: I think I would’ve enjoyed this book if it was half as long. It was repetitive and just downright boring for at least the first 70%.

Final Thoughts: Longwinded and boring. If all of the repetition and unnecessary descriptions were removed, leaving the necessary backstory and the climactic final act, it would’ve been so much better.
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