The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt
by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch is a non-classical take on a bildungsroman by renowned author Donna Tartt. Theo, the main protagonist of the novel, narrates his memoir as he seeks refuge at a hotel in Amsterdam twenty-some years after a bombing incident that sparks the entire novel. Through the lenses of trauma, violence, sadness, and joyfulness, Theo's life takes many twists and turns despite his nonchalant attitude with life. Some might say he finds himself at the end, others will say he's still lost, but, ultimately, Tartt writes an optimistic ending--Theo's perseverance to do the right thing gives off quite the hopeful message.
David's review:
In The Goldfinch, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt presents characters with vivid lives. From protagonist Theo Decker to the kindhearted Hobie and the unkempt Boris, Tartt weaves a complex and riveting coming-of-age tale marked by tragedy. After Theo loses his beloved mother in a terror-related incident at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, his life becomes a whirlwind characterized by different homes and very different people. His one source of stability is a painting, through which Theo becomes enmeshed in the world of art. Anyone who has ever questioned his/her place in the world will relate to Theo and his struggle to carve out a niche for himself. This is a superb book that readers will enjoy.
Bhavini's review:
Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch is long but lovely. It follows Theo, who loses his mother in a tragic attack and carries his grief with him through adulthood. The Goldfinch painting, which Theo steals the day his mother dies, comes with him during this complicated trajectory as a symbol of Theo's despair and an object of his obsession. The book reads as part coming-of-age novel and part love story to New York City--even if you have to get through a long section set in Las Vegas before Theo's journey reaches its climax. It's definitely not an easy read--at some passages, I felt almost as anxious as Theo--which is probably a testament to Tartt's skill in characterization and creating atmosphere. And it's in these characterizations that the book shines--all the people, from Theo's mother to the Barbours to Hobie, feel real, with recurring appearances and complex personalities that make them jump off the page.
Tosin's review:
A bildungsroman about a young Theo Decker, The Goldfinch is a long novel that details Theo's trials and tribulations that begin with complications stemming from his mother's death and their tense relationship with his father. In Donna Tartt's 784 pages, Theo's tumultuous life stems from a series of poor decisions made, some made for him, some he made for himself. Theo for me represents someone who has experienced substantial trauma following a substantial lack of support and guidance. That said, this novel told a story that could have been told better in half the amount of pages. There were several times when Ms. Tartt lost my interest and intrigue, and, after a few chapters, the book was no longer something I wanted to pick up and get lost in.
Kaila's review:
Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch tells the story of Theo Decker, who we first meet as a 13-year-old boy being raised by his mother in New York City. After surviving a terrorist bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that killed his mother, Theo is bounced between the homes of family friends and his abusive father, ultimately settling into a life of crime and drug abuse as an adult. Following the death of his mother, Theo clings to the only piece of stability in his life, a small, Dutch Golden Age painting, The Goldfinch, which he took from the rubble of the museum following the attack. While the painting serves as a reminder of his final moments with his mother, the criminal way in which it was acquired haunts Theo and underlies some of his worst criminal behavior. Though Theo's story is long, it is packed with an overwhelming amount of detail and unexpected twists and turns. At its core, The Goldfinch is not only an entertaining read, but it imparts important wisdom on the mysteries of love, identity, and art through one boy's captivating coming-of-age journey.
Nanako's review:
The Goldfinch was a beautiful read. It demonstrates the complex nature of humanity, particularly involving the relationship between greed, love, and loss. The protagonist, Theo, is brave yet naïve. Throughout the story, he is constantly betrayed by people he trusts as a result of their greed, such as his own father and his once good friend Boris. Each time he is betrayed, the reader and Theo himself are discouraged from giving people the benefit of the doubt and to cherish the people who are there through the difficult times through and through, such as Pippa. Theo is also frequently a victim of loss of both material things and people he has loved. Interestingly, though, Theo's relationship with Pippa at the end of the book, which epitomizes romanticism, depicts romance as the cure to the pain and suffering Theo has endured throughout his lifetime. I, frankly, did not appreciate this part of the book; if I were to write the ending differently, I would've made Theo's journey more existentially awakening, and I would hope that he finds a cure within himself to his losses. All in all, I enjoyed the book very much and took a lot away from it!
Breanna's review:
Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch is a remarkable novel about the growth of a young child after his mother traumatically dies in an attack on the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the book is formidable in length, the plot is never dull and never ceases to surprise the reader. The main character, Theo, is forced to grow up very quickly after losing his mother and being unable to contact his estranged father. Through the various relationships he forms over the years, however, he is able to find temporary homes. Immediately after losing his mother, he lives with the Barbour family and eventually learns to feel comfortable with them and is on the cusp of becoming a full-fledged member of the family when his father suddenly shows up to fulfill his parental duties. During that same time, he also meets Hobbie, who becomes an important mentor, and falls in love with Pippa, a young girl who was also injured in the attack on the museum. Although Theo’s father proves to be indifferent to his son and only uses him to make money, Theo does find friendship in a fellow student, Boris. Boris may not be a good influence, but he is a loyal friend and comes to Theo’s rescue when he is on the verge of suicide after a troubled trip to Amsterdam. This experience forced Theo to change his ways and take responsibility for all of the poor decisions he made throughout his life. Theo’s journey, although a bit unrealistic, is exciting and gripping until the very last page.
Kosar's review:
The Goldfinch was a very interesting read. I had to force myself to close the book at times. I connected a lot with the main character, Theo, since I did lose a parent at a very young age. I understood his grief and his reactions to that grief, but there were many instances where I got angry with some of his choices. I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of the book since the anticipation of what was coming next was high, but that feeling kind of fell off near the end of the book. I thought it was a little too rushed. It was like a piece of artwork that looked great two-thirds of the way in, but the final touches soured the piece. Nonetheless, I would still recommend this book to anyone since many people in the book club interpreted this book differently and had different reactions.
