The Goldfinch was all anyone was talking about this summer. After reading The Secret History several years ago, I knew that I would devour The Goldfinch the same way. The plot starts out quite slow, and it was a struggle to make it halfway through, but after that I couldn't put it down. The main character, Theo, is one of those people who just can't seem to catch a break. First he loses his mom in a tragic accident, then is forced to move in with his addiction-laden father and his girlfriend until a few years later, his father dies as well. Boris, one of Theo's only friends, is his source of joy and trouble.
Donna Tartt is a genius of weaving several storylines together and ultimately tying them up in a nice bow at the end. Theo's life takes him from an NYC prep school, to Vegas, back to New York and then abroad. The one interlacing feature is the painting, the goldfinch. It is Theo's last connection to his mother and he brings it with him everywhere for fear that he will lose her for good. But the criminal underworld of art theft is not for the feint of heart.
More than a simple mystery-thriller, The Goldfinch is also an excellent character study. It centers around three groups of people in Theo's life who couldn't be more different from each other: the Barbours, a WASP upper east side family that briefly takes Theo in after his mother dies; Theo's father and his Vegas crowd full of gambling, drugs, and a lack of parental care; and finally Hobby and Pippa, who share a connection with Theo to the tragic afternoon Theo lost his mother and who ultimately take him in during his adult life.
What were your thoughts of the book?
Jasmine of A Pinch of Jasmine
Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your blog!
Hi, I'm Jasmine from A Pinch Of Jasmine. I'm a twenty-something lifestyle blogger who enjoys sharing how to enjoy life while tackling every obstacle of work and school. I'm a proud puppy momma to an almost two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Winston. Things I love? Anything floral, gold sparkle, food, yoga, Disney and, of course, my other half, my boyfriend.
Do you love decorating for Christmas? What are you decking your tree with this year?
I love decorating for Christmas. This year, I'm focusing on gold for the Christmas tree.
What is your idea of the perfect Sunday?
My idea of the perfect Sunday is: church, farmer's market and a movie.
I wish I knew how to ________ .
I wish I knew how to: cook. I am slowly learning, but I am nowhere near being able to say, "Yes, I can cook." because I can't. Not yet.
Christina of Route Bliss
Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your blog!
I'm Christina, the girl behind the scenes at Route Bliss. I'm a 30-something single wannabe vagabond whose practicality and realist side keeps her planted in East Texas. By weekday I write lots of reports at my job as well as daydream frequently where I want to travel to next, ways to motivate myself to getting fit for health and happiness's sake, and experimenting in the kitchen to make my favorite not so healthy foods healthier. I also like to take lots of photos of pretty things, furry critters (aka canines and felines), and beautiful destinations.
Do you love decorating for Christmas? What are you decking your tree with this year?
Once the tree is up (my least favorite part since I have to unsmoosh branches from being in storage), I enjoy the rest of the process. My tree is travel themed this year with ornaments and other mementos I've converted into ornaments from destinations I've been to over the last several years.
What is your idea of the perfect Sunday?
Sleeping in, catching up on some reading or going for a run/hike on the trails at the local arboretum; reality is that doesn't happen often!
I wish I knew how to ________ .
Craft-wise, knit or crochet. I lack the coordination :( Talent-wise, to wink. I kid you not, I cannot wink to save my life!
What you should be reading:
6 comments:
I've had The Goldfinch on my Kindle for months. Your review makes me even more excited to read it!
The Goldfinch was my Everest this year. It was a book club book and while I didn't finish it in time for book club I finally finished it over Thanksgiving visiting with my family. I didn't hate but I didn't love it. And I really can't even really tell you why either way. I was just very happy for it to be over.
Any other good books you recommend to add to my 2015 to read list?
Cheers,
Alyson
I read the Goldfinch over the summer and I agree with you that it took me quite a while to get into it, and at a certain point I couldn't put it down. I'm still not entirely sure how much I liked it, though. It meandered a lot. But I didn't dislike it either.
Can't wait to hear what you think of it!
If you haven't read A Secret History, then I highly recommend it. I've read it two or three times and still love it. I'm working on my list to read in 2015. Right now I'm reading The Group by Mary McCarthy.
My thoughts exactly. I much preferred A Secret History.
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