Scan barcode
A review by eveningreverie
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
95% of this book is incredible, and then the ending is simply far too long.
That being said, this was an incredibly enjoyable book for how dark, brooding, and full of pain and suffering it is on nearly every page. Theo’s highs are euphoric and neurotic, and his lows are deep, drugged, and oppressively obsessive. This character is insane in every stretch of the imagination, yet just sane enough to be relatable in how he treats others and himself. The central tension is incredibly well done, and the twist was so shocking I legitimately had to put the book down and walk away for a while.
The fastest I’ve ever read a 700+ page lit fic novel. Tartt is really good, but she sure takes a while to end her stories. The brow-beating life lessons in the final leg were unnecessary and mostly could’ve been gleaned through thematic picking-apart and inference, and the ending to this character’s story is immensely depressing in different ways (i.e. I can only see what he chooses not to reflect on as much more telling than what he actually is reflecting on).
That being said, this was an incredibly enjoyable book for how dark, brooding, and full of pain and suffering it is on nearly every page. Theo’s highs are euphoric and neurotic, and his lows are deep, drugged, and oppressively obsessive. This character is insane in every stretch of the imagination, yet just sane enough to be relatable in how he treats others and himself. The central tension is incredibly well done, and the twist was so shocking I legitimately had to put the book down and walk away for a while.
The fastest I’ve ever read a 700+ page lit fic novel. Tartt is really good, but she sure takes a while to end her stories. The brow-beating life lessons in the final leg were unnecessary and mostly could’ve been gleaned through thematic picking-apart and inference, and the ending to this character’s story is immensely depressing in different ways (i.e. I can only see what he chooses not to reflect on as much more telling than what he actually is reflecting on).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gore and Murder