The Goldfinch
By Donna Tartt
Fans of author Donna Tartt must wait patiently for their prize. The Little Friend was published in October of 2002, being second to Tartt’s first novel The Secret Society (published in 1992 by Alfred A. Knopf). Good things do come to those who wait, The Goldfinch is well worth the investment at nearly 800 pages. Fans know that the sweeping scale of Tartt’s storytelling can not be rushed.
“Stay away from the ones you love too much. Those are the ones who will kill you.” -The Goldfinch
Exquisitely written, delightfully suspenseful, the reader will be pulled into the story right at the start. Theodore Decker begins his tale anxiety ridden and pacing around the hotel room in a country where he does not know the language and fearful that something, someone is out to get him. This enticing introduction then morphs into the tale of how dear Theo got to be at this place, in this situation. We are transported back to a 13 year old Theo with a beautifully art-obsessed mother, which starts the tale of his circumstances that ultimately lead to a life of decadent highs and unexpected lows. Colorful, vivid characters come into Theo’s life and not always for the better. It was a story spurred by loss but saturated with purpose and determination.
Never before have I read about the dubitable dealings of the art world, the way a secret can take on a life of it’s own, in such eloquent narrative. Theo’s tale, while lengthy, is beautiful and impossible to rush. Tartt’s lines deserve to be enjoyed and digested.
“But sometimes, unexpectedly, grief pounded over me in waves that left me gasping; and when the waves washed back, I found myself looking out over a brackish wreck which was illumined in a light so lucid, so heartsick and empty, that I could hardly remember that the world had ever been anything but dead.” -The Goldfinch
In Tartt’s craftsmanship, even grief is a heart-breakingly beautiful experience. Well worth the effort, if you’re looking for the next novel to consume your evenings try The Goldfinch today!
(Tartt's first novel)
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