The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch cover
Good Books rating 3.33
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 720
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781405529518
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-10-22
  • Formats: 24
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

Theo Decker's life is irrevocably altered when a catastrophic event claims his mother and leaves him adrift. As he struggles with grief and moves from one home to another, he becomes increasingly fixated on a small, captivating work of art that haunts his imagination. This obsession ultimately leads him into a much darker and more complex world than he could have ever anticipated. /n/n 'The Goldfinch' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores themes of loss, beauty, and the enduring power of art. The story is praised for its richly drawn characters and intricate plot, offering a profound exploration of human nature and the impact of tragedy on one's life.

Reviews
Dr. Vinay Prasad · 2023-11-23
masterful 5.00

The book is described as a work of art that explores eternal themes of life with a tightly wound story and vivid characters.

Dr. Vinay Prasad praises The Goldfinch as a work of art, highlighting its tightly wound story and vivid characters. They appreciate how the novel tackles eternal themes of life, particularly love, with careful consideration. The reviewer is captivated by the book's depth and the way it weaves together a compelling narrative. They find it to be a beautiful and engaging exploration of complex themes, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    The book is a work of art; a tightly wound story that tackles the eternal themes of life.

    A beautifully written and engaging exploration of complex themes.

    The novel's depth and vivid characters make it a memorable read.

Aminas Bookshelf · 2019-11-13
complex 4.00

The book is praised for its Pulitzer-worthy qualities but criticized for being overly long and tedious. The reviewer acknowledges its depth but finds it challenging to read.

The reviewer at Aminas Bookshelf acknowledges that The Goldfinch is a deserving winner of the Pulitzer Prize, noting its rich and intricate storytelling. However, they also point out that the book's length and slow pace make it a challenging read. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the narrative but feel that the book could have benefited from more concise storytelling. Overall, they find the book to be a significant work that is worth the effort despite its flaws.

Quick quotes

    This book receives four stars because it wasn't an easy read.

    Although it was deserving of the Pulitzer, it's very long-winded.

    It's a significant work that is worth the effort despite its flaws.

The Guardian · Julie Myerson · 2013-10-19
disappointing 1.00

The reviewer finds the novel overly long and tediously reminiscent of Harry Potter, leaving them baffled and disenchanted.

Julie Myerson from The Guardian expresses her disappointment with The Goldfinch, describing it as overlong and tediously reminiscent of Harry Potter. She finds the adventure tedious and feels baffled by the narrative's direction. Myerson's overall experience with the book is one of disenchantment, suggesting that the novel's length and style detract from its potential. Despite its acclaim, she struggles to find the depth and engagement she expected.

Quick quotes

    Donna Tartt's overlong and tediously Potteresque adventure leaves Julie Myerson baffled and disenchanted.

    The novel's length and style detract from its potential.

    She struggles to find the depth and engagement she expected.

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