The Goldfinch – Donna Tartt
Aged 13, Theo Decker, son of a devoted mother and a reckless, largely absent father, survives an accident that otherwise tears his life apart. Alone and rudderless in New York, he is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. He is tormented by an unbearable longing for his mother, and down the years clings to one thing that reminds him of her: a small, strangely captivating painting that ultimately draws him into the criminal underworld.
As he grows up, Theo learns to glide between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love – and his talisman, the painting, places him at the centre of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.
The Goldfinch is a haunted odyssey through present-day America and a drama of enthralling power. Combining unforgettably vivid characters and thrilling suspense, it is a beautiful, addictive triumph – a sweeping story of loss and obsession, of survival and self-invention, of the deepest mysteries of love, identity and fate.
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Jenn Thornley –
From book club meeting host (Jill Doyle):
I think it’s fair to say that this book was quite divisive, with some members loving it and others less so. Given the fact it was over 880 pages, it was always going to be difficult to maintain momentum.
It was very much a character driven novel as it followed Theo from the age of 13 to 27 along with the people he gets involved with during this period. Most felt invested at the start, as they loved the writing, the backstory of the other characters and they were hopeful that things would work out for him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
There was an overriding theme of loss and grief which fueled Theo’s spiral into drugs and depression. For some this made his character more realistic and sympathetic, for others it was too much. It was definitely an emotional and reflective read. Although Theo was the main character, it was another character Boris that most readers felt drawn to. When he appeared, the story ‘picked up’.
It’s hard to escape the main criticism that it was too long, with some elements of the story flagging. Had the story been condensed it would have had a more positive reaction. The ending, in particular, was criticised for dragging and for being disappointing because the hoped for results didn’t materialize – but then again, maybe that’s a realistic reflection of life!
Score 3 out of 5