Exactly – it was like the same story over and over again. I have never been so angry when I finished a book before. It was so long and I only finished it because everybody said it was so good. I will never get that time back!
I wonder if she meant it that way. The drug use, the family dysfunction. A neverending cycle for so many. No escape for the characters, so no escape for the reader.
Looking back, it was the Vegas part that really resonated for me. Those boys no one cared about, the adults in their lives behaving so neglectfully and abusively. Horrible step mothers..There are a lot of them out there. And we should care more.
@Kate It’s been a long while since I read it, but if I remember correctly they were in the middle. Far enough along that I did not want to quit reading altogether.
Hated it. I felt every character was without redemption. Very disappointed. It was the first book I ever had to challenge myself to finish, always hoping for a turn around.
Felt like Tartt showed a lot of self indulgence with the Goldfinch. The thing about Tartt’s novels – I can’t decide if I like them or not but they do stay with me. That said, I think Goldfinch and Secret History are worth the read.
I found it very depressing . . . sometimes when I feel that way during the book, eventually I find meaning in the depression . . . but not this time. Guess that is how life is sometimes . . . but it’s not a book I recommend to folks very often.
I had to stop half way through when the boy said that at the age of 14 nobody loved him!!! Too painful. About 2 months later I finished it. I just liked it but the characters haunted me for a long time!!
I can’t figure out why so many people loved it. It was drawn out and depressing. Definitely unnecessarily long. I was happy to be done with it. Had a lot of potential though. The beginning had me hooked pretty quickly
Best book I ever read. That said, the part of the book that took place in Las Vegas was soooo hard to get through. But maybe she meant it to be that way??? Child abuse, child neglect, teenage drug use, etc. It seems to never end in life, why not in a book??
I finished it but it wasn’t easy. So many words, so many adjectives! One paragraph was an entire page long and then on to the next page. This is the only book I’ve read by this author. My sense was it would probably be better in an abridged form.
It took me two years to finally finish it. It’s a beautiful book. By the time I finished it I realized I’d probably overlooked/forgotten some plot points. Did anyone claim responsibility for the explosion? What really happened to Andy and his dad on that boat with Platt. Did Theo marry Kitsy? Arrghhhh!
Truly the worst book I actually finished. I only finished it because everyone said it was so good. I kept waiting for something to change and it didn’t. I say don’t waste your time!
Very split opinions… I’ve had it for a while and have been looking for a new book to read. I’ll give it a shot and see what I think. A lot of you have said it needs editing; I’m an aspiring book editor, so I’ll definitely keep my eye out for critiques! Thank you all, so much, for your thoughts!! You guys are all awesome!
I liked it and disliked it equally. I thought the writing was top notch, it did get a bit on and on in parts, but detailed description is good with me. I think I just disliked the whole idea of the problems. It was worth reading and brought up interesting ideas I had now thought about.
At first I found it very exciting and a great story but as the story unfolded, there were so many coincidences and far fetched storylines that in the end I was meh. If you want a “yarn” and don’t mind suspending your disbelief then you might like it.
I loved it, one of my favourite books that I’ve read in the last 10 years. A great story and it broke my heart. I did think that it could have been 3 books..I loved the Las Vegas part and those lost boys. Great story and beautifully written.
It reminded me of Splash Mountain in Disney World. Pleasant enough and when you start thinking this ride is TOO long, you fall 5 stories. But then the ride starts over, again and again.
I really liked it. I remember I kept yelling (in my mind) at the main character because I just hated the decisions he was making. I’m like a lot of others though – I thought the first half was the best.
So…..this book got me. While I was reading it and immediately afterwards, I didn’t feel like I Iiked it, but I wanted to see how things turned out for the main character. Anyways, it’s been 3 years and I talk about it quite frequently when people ask me about what books I have read. So, yeah….. I’m pretty sure I really liked it.
It is not for everybody. I happened on the audio version of it and absolutely loved it, although there were parts that seemed to drag on and on. But overall, I loved the story. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t listen to it vs read it. If you start it and like it, keep going; but it’s a divisive book so if you just aren’t feeling it, it’s likely just not the right book for you.
I hate to say it but did not love the story. Maybe where I am right now but very grim. Her descriptions were right on and character development good but not a story I enjoyed. Maybe a little too realistic.
Absolutely loved it! Even better reading it 2 or 3 times through. Writing and storyline are on par with her first work A Secret History. It’s long, but so complex and engaging that the length is justified. I love her description of artwork, physical spaces and the many layers of despair and depression.
Really well written, deserving of the praise, accolades and awards. But . . . Depressing as all get out, and not a drop of the warm and fuzzies. You will not walk away from this one with a feeling of joy about all life has to offer. After reading all three of her novels I am beginning to think the author hasn’t had too many happy days.
Maybe the last book I will ever slog all the way through because everybody else likes it. I found it sooo tedious. I hated all the characters. Nobody learned anything so she had to add the soliloquy at the end to make sure we got all the messages. Arggh!
thought I liked it after the first reading but it is so heavy with remorse I know I’ll never read it again. Have great respect for D. Tartt , the very first page of The Secret History is so enthralling you can hear strains of Phillip Glass as the snow eddies down. But now am beginning to wonder about the writer , brilliant as she is –
Here is the deal. It’s long, very long! But i really enjoy descriptive books, its what makes me feel like I’m a character right along with those in the story. The topics are heavy and all too frequently things that happen to people everyday. I don’t find it depressing even though the material is depressing. I find it to be a revelation of our society. Definitely not for everyone, but enlightening to me.
Our book club read this – very strong reactions from people on both ends of the spectrum. I think it’s one of those books you either love or hate. I enjoyed it, personally.
My mom highly recommended this book to me. I Always finish a book I am reading. Always. I made it about 3/4 and simply couldn’t go further. While the writing was stunningly artful and a breath of fresh air the content of the story was so dark and hopeless it made me feel sick reading it. I love a good sad or realistic novel but this and the other book I was reading at the time, girl on the train or whatever that depressing piece of garbage was and I had no hope left for humanity. It’s taken me a couple years of reading non-fiction and fluff to get over it all.
@Lisa is that true? That’s very interesting! I feel like hopelessness could describe the theme as well. or how at so many stages in this persons life someone could have helped him. But instead of help or hope for the better all he ever got was pain and suffering.
To me it all seemed to be saying there was just not point to life and there was hopelessness too. It was not an inspiring book at all. I’m surprised I finished it.
Barely ok, I’d say. Tartt spent an inordinately long time rambling around in the desert.. literally. Then she couldn’t figure out how to say: “the end.” And it just got worse and worse.
Still on page 408 of a first edition. I need to put on my wading boots and finish it. The adults in the book just made me so angry, I couldn’t handle the dysfunctionalism.
Loved it, but probably felt even more strongly about her novel, MyLittle Friend- I hope I’m remembering the title accurately. We have a large family and could easily see a few of my kids involved in the action in this novel.
Once l got into it, l enjoyed… but was glad when l finished and could move onto the next book on my reading list. I thought it was a bit longer than it should’ve been.
I found it overly long and drawn out, in need of a strong editing hand to eliminate Tartt’s repetitiveness and self indulgent going off on tangents that contributed nothing to the story. Frankly, it soured me on reading anything else by her, not that we’ll see another book in the next decade.
@Lori Exactly. Because she takes so long to write, I got the impression that her publisher was reluctant to allow an editor to do their job, because with 10 years between books, the publisher wants to sell everything she’s written, even if it’s not important to the book or story.
I think it is very ‘mood dependent’ read. I loved it when I read it, but it was a weird time for me so not sure I’d enjoy it now? Or maybe my attention span wouldn’t stay with it. It does meander, and I enjoy that in some novels, but not for every read. Give it a try- no judgement if you can’t get through it! Life’s too short to force it! 🙂
I liked it but I thought they spent too much time on the drug scene. It got to be boring and too much — we read it for book club and it was a good discussion time.
It wasn’t my thing at all. For one thing, I didn’t like how much of the action took place off the page while the protagonist waited in a hotel room. There were many times in this book that I was bored and waiting for something to happen.
It is a good read but it’s maybe 200-300 pages too long. Too much time spent proving the character of the two main protags. I kept thinking, ‘I get it, okay, I get it!” LOL
I really really liked it at first. Then all the drug crap–and on and on and on…I was barely able to finish it…I think I finished it? Very disappointing. It could ahve been great
Her novel The Secret History still reverberates with me. I really get into her usual cadre of deeply flawed, unlikeable characters. How I somehow end up feeling sorry for and rooting for them is a testament to her incredible writing. I loved it!
I agree, too. I liked it for awhile, but “too weird & difficult to continue” is exactly how I’d describe it! I actually kept plowing through past the half-way point before quitting.
I wanted to like this book so badly since it was very highly recommended by a dear friend. I plowed over half-way through it & finally gave myself permission to stop. I felt so free!
I tried to read it last year and I just couldn’t get into it. Someone I respect very much recommended it, so I’m keeping it on my OverDrive wishlist so I can give it another go sometime.
It took me forever to read it. I had to put it away for awhile. I read a few books and then went back to it and did eventually finish it. I really didn’t like it.
Loved it. ! Gave it to office mate who is reading right now. Had a friend tearful about the Las Vegas boys really raising themselves and having each other’s back.
Didn’t like it- ending didn’t make sense- and what was the whole point of the the painting? He thought it was hidden but it wasn’t- Boris had it? What?? Maybe I just expected too much from it- I loved The Little Friend and the Secret History so much, I think I just expected too much.
@Susanne hi, so Besides her terrific writing, I really loved the way Tartt set the scene, and developed her characters. I knew, going into it, that it would be a long coming-of-age story and I was willing to invest the time. I kind of gave myself to it and went for the ride.
I loved this book. A good friend of mine told me when I started that it would feel like three books which all came together at the end to make one story and I felt like that was true. I liked the first part, hated the second, and loved the third so much that it more than made up for the parts I didn’t like. ?
Worst. Book. Ever. Wish I could have those hours of reading this book back. If I hadn’t read it on my Kindle I would have burnt it so nobody else had to waste their time with it. No payoff at the end. If you’re thinking of quitting it. QUIT. You’re worth more than this book. OK, that’s my thoughts!
Well I loved it and I’m finding it hard to understand why some readers found it boring or messy or whatever. Someone asked the point of the Goldfinch painting… perhaps some people read too literally therefore missing subtlety, illusion, introspection, the sleight of hand of the author, just to begin with. The Goldfinch is a scathingly intelligent novel that requires a commitment but is, nonetheless, immensely readable. Just my take. And for those of you who just couldn’t do it- the movie is coming out next year!
I liked the painting as a tool: It was clearly important to the child, a connection to his deceased mother. He held onto it, selectively, for years. He seemed to think he was immortal as long as it was in his possession –or at as long as he believed it. It was when he learned he no longer held it that he owned his deceit & began to make amends.
I did like Boris. But the way the author explained the symbolism at the end seemed like a dumbing down for the reader. Can’t we just figure out the symbols and important themes on our own? Lol.
It really caught my imagination. Did not know what would happen next. Afterwards I searched for a photo of the original. I enjoy oil painting and watercolor. I did my version of Fabricius’s painting in both mediums. I entered my oil version in a Fakes and Frauds show at the Spring Bull Gallery in Newport RI. Each year artists submit their interpretation of a master work. I find you get out of a book what your own imagination is capable. The greater your own imagination is, the more you appreciate an author’s creativity. I would not be a good critic because I find so many things interesting.
It’s so so long and slow. I have been reading it for over a month now, and have read about 6 other books since I started. I keep skipping paragraphs at a time to just get through it. The story itself is fine, but the book is unbelievably slow and long!
I loved the ending, keep saying I’m going to reread the last 100 pages. Packed full of interesting thinking material. There were parts however that I thought were overdone
I enjoyed it. It was long but she is an author whose writing I enjoy. So it just extended the pleasure of enjoying how she constructs scenes and characters.
Some moments of truly elegant prose followed by hundreds of pages of drivel. Nothing like plowing a field only to find the harvest was a lying addict who seemed to want to rectify only a portion of past mistakes. A good editor would have been an invaluable asset and possibly have spared the author and readers many maudlin pages, elevating the book’s level and reach.
There were some wonderful stories within the disjointed book. The Las Vegas section was a real downer. But the early part was great , and sections where he lived with the antique dealer were touching.
It had enormous problems, and required more editing. There were major consistency errors. But it was better than the unreadable The Little Friend. And it wasn’t BAD, it just had major problems and needed another round of editing. A Secret History is one of my favorite books of all time.
I loved her description about Las Vegas in the book, considering my family thinks living there is just wonderful and I would not. They don’t understand why I don’t want to live there. I did not love the length or the entire story at all. I preferred her other book, the Secret History or whatever its called.
I believe the author had a purpose in making the drug rhetoric so repetitive and boring. May be so the reader can experience how awful being hooked is and the standstill of drug addicted lives.
also , who wants the image of a goldfinch with a CHAIN around its little tiny slender leg ,…..really disturbing and I have the feeling that Ms. Tartt is brilliant but very chilly.And disturbed . H ha ha ha .
It’s a real painting, a 17th century Dutch painting. The Dutch kept goldfinches as pets. It is a beautiful and disturbing image-more complex than it seems at first glance.
It was a 2 week book when I checked it out. I read at least 1/2 of it & meant to get back to it, but never did. It was beautifully written, but very heavy material.
It was an interesting book. When it jumped from NYC to Las Vegas, it seemed like a different book, and I didn’t really like the main character at that point. Reading about teens high and wasting their lives away isn’t so interesting. I stuck with it, though, only to see where it was going.
I am still in the early chapters of the book. It is gut-wrenching to read about the protagonists feelings of lose, guilt, and abandonment. I have been reading the book for 3 years!
For everyone questioning it winning the Pulitzer- it was a beautifully written book. It’s not solely based on the story but also the writing. The book certainly wasn’t for everyone but it was written very well. ❤️
This was a like-dislike read. Dark, yes, but some interesting characterization Easy to put down until last 100 of its 500 pages so much longer than it needed to be, too much reader waiting for something to happen. Enjoyed the literary and art allusions
I am so glad to see others who struggled with this book. I thought I was crazy. It was extremely well written but 900 pages of existential crisis was difficult to trudge through. Because it was a pulitzer I thought I was the only person in the world who hated it.
@Rose Not by a long shot! I liked some of the characters and was fascinated by the painting, but soooo many long passages I hated! And the Russian kid. Blech. It had so much potential but I hated it.
A friend once told me she lived next door to a librarian who told her: if you aren’t invested after the first 50 pages, move on to another book….too many great books out there. Sadly, I made it well past 50 but finally gave up. I know many who loved it, I’m just not one of them….
@Mary I wish I could quit reading a book that is bad. I always finish even if I have to take a break. I was punished as a child if I did not finish a book, so no it is ingrained in my psyche to finish everyone I start. Consequently I read several books at a time that way I can have a break from something I am not fond of. I also hesitate to give an opinion if I have not completed the book, feeling it unfair to the author to judge it if I did not even finish reading it. The Goldfinch is one that I was happier with the book after I finished it than I was at many points while reading it. If I had never finished I would never really know how to feel about it. Just a personal philosophy. I actually admire people who can go on to something better. I am sure they are much happier in their reading time than I at times. 🙂
@Rose I used to always finish books as well until my friend told me this. She’s right in my opinion. Every person gets different things out of books so if I’m not enjoying one, I move on, even if it is a highly acclaimed book. Her comment was made as I was struggling to get through a very famous but very long book that I was not enjoying. Life is short. I fear I shall never complete my “to read” list. ?
@Mary agreed. I think my new goal should be to learn to walkaway from a book that is not for me. I did that with atlas shrugged but when I was finally ready to read it, it us now one of my favorites. I set the goldfinch down several times. It probably took me two months to read it. I would read something ekse and then go back to it. Otherwise I woukd never have gotten thru it. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have moved on to something I enjoyed. There are so many good books, it is a shame to waste time reading. I am stuck on a nonfiction book, Doomsday. Maybe I can walk away from that one. 🙂
First half, slow and too much detail. It picked up but really needed to lose the philosophizing at the end. If your metaphors did not convey your philosophy, don’t do a winded sermon at the end. Tacky.
I loved her 1992 book, Secret History, so was really looking forward to this one. I didn’t like it though. There were a couple of characters I was really interested in, but that didn’t really get fleshed out. I loved the mystery of the painting, but overall I didn’t connect.
I just finished this beast . This is the second time I have read a Tartt book and come out of it with conflicting feelings. I can’t decide if I liked it or didn’t like it.
I love Donna Tartt’s writing but it is quite detailed. Some people are not comfortable with it but I love it because you really get to know the character to the point that you feel sadness and joy for their plights and successes. This book, to me was awesome!!
Just finished this beast of a book . The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It is a Pulitzer Prize winner . I have read Tartt’s other books and this one left me feeling the same; that is to say , I am conflicted as to whether I liked it or not. The story itself contains absurd situations. The writing is good , and I enjoyed the research Tartt put in to The Goldfinch painting. One of my favorite classes in school was Art History and I remember talking about this painting. It has a fascinating back story and the image of the poor bird chained to its perch for life is heart breaking and the imagery in this simple painting is open to many interpretations. But is this bookPulitzer worthy? In my opinion, no . Was it a good book? Well, it is a “good read “ as long as you can suspend disbelief and get emerged in the story. The characters are wonderful , especially Boris the Russian bad boy with a heart of gold. Give it a whirl . And hold on tight, it can be a wild ride!
Following
Boring, too long and drawn out.
Exactly – it was like the same story over and over again. I have never been so angry when I finished a book before. It was so long and I only finished it because everybody said it was so good. I will never get that time back!
@Alison I kept waiting for something really good to happen…
@Linda I know – he had a chance to change his life, didn’t take the opportunity, and then that just repeated over and over.
Hard to read, good at first, but then it got weird.
I ended up liking the book, but thought the Vegas part was way too long!
I felt the same.
I wonder if she meant it that way. The drug use, the family dysfunction. A neverending cycle for so many. No escape for the characters, so no escape for the reader.
Looking back, it was the Vegas part that really resonated for me. Those boys no one cared about, the adults in their lives behaving so neglectfully and abusively. Horrible step mothers..There are a lot of them out there. And we should care more.
Exactly!!!!
@Larissa very well said.
Excellent!
ugh.
Overall, I found it worth reading. It had about 100 pages that could have been edited out but I did like it.
Were they toward the end?
@Kate It’s been a long while since I read it, but if I remember correctly they were in the middle. Far enough along that I did not want to quit reading altogether.
@Kate I bet she’s talking about the part that took place in Vegas.
Disappointed.
Like two different books crammed together! First half was good, hated second half.
I loved it!
Me, too. Loved!
Me too. But my book group was pretty evenly split. Loved it or hated it
Eh…
After I finished it I could not figure out what all the hype was about.
I really liked it.
Hated it. I felt every character was without redemption. Very disappointed. It was the first book I ever had to challenge myself to finish, always hoping for a turn around.
Yes, needed editing! I slogged my way through it and was glad I did but was conflicted about continuing at times.
I loved every single written word!
Me too!
I would have liked it better if Boris had a bigger role.
I fell in love with Boris.
@Kate me too! I want a Part Two with Boris as the main character.
Wasn’t a fan, only read it as it won the Pulitzer
Meh
Wonderful. A reminder of what made Dickens so enjoyable.
LIKE the author’s first name! LOL. #Silly
She could have told twice the story in half the time. I mostly liked it, but was dissatisfied overall.
Agreed!
I loved the first half of the book. Then when the boy went to live in Las Vegas it changed so much that I hardly recognized it. Didn’t finishit.
I don’t think I liked it.
Great book by a great author.
Loved AND hated it. Overall well worth it!
Meh. Took to long to get any good.
Meh. Took to long to get any good.
Following
The Secret History was better.
Totally agree.
LOVED it!!!!
The writing was phenomenal!
I liked it in the beginning then I skimmed through the end
I loved it.
It’s ok. Was disappointed but I read it. I’ll give you mine for free. Lol
I loved it. The ending was beautifully written. I love to reread the ending thoughts.
Absolutely loved but I’m a huge Donna Tartt fangirl!!!
Felt like Tartt showed a lot of self indulgence with the Goldfinch. The thing about Tartt’s novels – I can’t decide if I like them or not but they do stay with me. That said, I think Goldfinch and Secret History are worth the read.
Fantastic.
Loved it..
Our book group liked the book, but thought it was unnecessarily L-O-N-G!
I found it very depressing . . . sometimes when I feel that way during the book, eventually I find meaning in the depression . . . but not this time. Guess that is how life is sometimes . . . but it’s not a book I recommend to folks very often.
One of my all time favorites!
Same
Loved it
Loved loved loved it!!!!!
Didn’t want to finish it.
I had to stop half way through when the boy said that at the age of 14 nobody loved him!!! Too painful. About 2 months later I finished it. I just liked it but the characters haunted me for a long time!!
I enjoyed it. Loved some of the plot twists and i thought the characters were wonderfully written.
I loved it !
I really struggled to finish it. The Secret History was much better.
I was sorely disappointed in this book. It was so highly acclaimed, but all the hype didn’t measure up in my humble opinion.
I can’t figure out why so many people loved it.
It was drawn out and depressing. Definitely unnecessarily long.
I was happy to be done with it. Had a lot of potential though. The beginning had me hooked pretty quickly
I agree. I slogged through it but it definitely could have been a hundred pages shorter.
Best book I ever read. That said, the part of the book that took place in Las Vegas was soooo hard to get through. But maybe she meant it to be that way??? Child abuse, child neglect, teenage drug use, etc.
It seems to never end in life, why not in a book??
I finished it but it wasn’t easy. So many words, so many adjectives! One paragraph was an entire page long and then on to the next page. This is the only book I’ve read by this author. My sense was it would probably be better in an abridged form.
I agree! Just too long
Liked it!
I was disappointed Thought much of it was boring
I agree
It took me two years to finally finish it. It’s a beautiful book. By the time I finished it I realized I’d probably overlooked/forgotten some plot points. Did anyone claim responsibility for the explosion? What really happened to Andy and his dad on that boat with Platt. Did Theo marry Kitsy? Arrghhhh!
I thought it started slow.
Meh.
Good but sad.
❤️❤️
I disliked the book. I found the author to write with an air of pretentiousness.
Agreed!
Truly the worst book I actually finished. I only finished it because everyone said it was so good. I kept waiting for something to change and it didn’t. I say don’t waste your time!
I could not get through it. About three quarters through I was thinking, “End it already.”
My husband and i loved it.
It got a wee bit out of hand toward the end, but the overall story was satisfying in spite of that.
LONG! Would not recommend it.
Incredible story ! Slow in just one part, but hang on…it’s worth it!
I read the entire book, but I did not like it.
Hated it.
Do not particularly care for the book.
Thumbs down.
Too long.
Meh is right…didn’t like how the storyline unfolded. ?
Needed A LOT more and better editing.
I couldn’t get into it. I wanted to!
Me, too. I tried twice and that was enough.
Sooooo slow of a read
Very slow read . Finally just stopped reading
I enjoyed the book, but agree with those who commented that it was too long. It could have been cut down quite a bit. Especially the Las Vegas part.
Did not like it.
Very split opinions… I’ve had it for a while and have been looking for a new book to read. I’ll give it a shot and see what I think. A lot of you have said it needs editing; I’m an aspiring book editor, so I’ll definitely keep my eye out for critiques! Thank you all, so much, for your thoughts!! You guys are all awesome!
I liked it and disliked it equally. I thought the writing was top notch, it did get a bit on and on in parts, but detailed description is good with me. I think I just disliked the whole idea of the problems. It was worth reading and brought up interesting ideas I had now thought about.
Loved the audio of the book. But agreed: needed an edit.
At first I found it very exciting and a great story but as the story unfolded, there were so many coincidences and far fetched storylines that in the end I was meh. If you want a “yarn” and don’t mind suspending your disbelief then you might like it.
I loved it, one of my favourite books that I’ve read in the last 10 years. A great story and it broke my heart. I did think that it could have been 3 books..I loved the Las Vegas part and those lost boys. Great story and beautifully written.
I really enjoyed it.
I just enjoy discussing books.
I don’t mind if people don’t like the same books as I do.
Viva la difference!
Needed a good edit
@Lisa exactly!
Loved every single page!
Same.
I really liked it, but it’s a bit long. My favorite book of hers is The Secret History.
Loved The Secret History!!
I Loved The Secret History!
I did enjoy for the most part, but towards the end I found it dragging a bit.
Loved it!
Great book, but not for everyone.
Didn’t like it at all. I finished it cause I was waiting for it to get better but it didn’t
Really good book, BUT, it did drag in places. No where near as good as The Secret History.
Loved it! Though as a Native American reader, I didn’t understand why she made the main character Cherokee then just dropped it.
Boring
Overrated!
I loved it. One of my all time favorites.
was not a fan…
Loved it!
meh.
Longer than it needed to be.
Disappointed
I disliked it.
I read it but Secret History was much better
I quit around page 200. But I know many people who loved it.
Hated it
Couldn’t finish it.
Glad to see I wasn’t the only one. LOL
HATED IT!!! The only book I’ve ever read that I wish I could get my time back from!!!
Good in the end. Needed to be edited more. Very long.
Not my favorite book.
Loved it!
It reminded me of Splash Mountain in Disney World. Pleasant enough and when you start thinking this ride is TOO long, you fall 5 stories. But then the ride starts over, again and again.
I enjoyed it
Just ok
Needed a better editor.
I really liked it. I remember I kept yelling (in my mind) at the main character because I just hated the decisions he was making. I’m like a lot of others though – I thought the first half was the best.
So long and slow
Hated it
Stunning book
Excellent book!! Very unique story line.
Think Donna Tartt is an amazing writer.
Like The Catcher in the Rye but stretched over many years with a little fictionized art history & terrorism thrown in.
Couldn’t finish it
If you want literature this is an excellent pick. Had it not been a book club book I would not have finished it but I am glad I did.
Absolutely ADORED!!!
I really enjoyed it quite a lot.
I loved this book.
Great book
I liked it
I loved it and my mother hated it
Abandoned it after waiting 6 months on the library waitlist.
Liked
I did not care for it but muddled through
I liked it, though not as much as her other books. It took me three tries to get going before I started to get interested.
I really liked it! It isn’t one of my all time favorites but it made me feel like I was looking out of a steamy cab window on a rainy day
Did not like it
Very good.
I really liked it and could see why the main character behaved the way he did.
Soooo good
Fantastic! Just like everything else by Donna Tartt.
Good but too long.
Loved!
I liked it, gonna read again before the movie comes out next year!
Liked the book. Soooooo wordy.
Great book
Liked it but a bit long
Loved it. My book club – not so much. Oh well, we all read stuff we don’t love. Still a gift to be able to read!
I can see his being a made for TV movie
So…..this book got me. While I was reading it and immediately afterwards, I didn’t feel like I Iiked it, but I wanted to see how things turned out for the main character. Anyways, it’s been 3 years and I talk about it quite frequently when people ask me about what books I have read. So, yeah….. I’m pretty sure I really liked it.
I have books like that too, I’ve changed ratings on Goodreads years after because I’m still pondering them.
That’s when you know a book is really good. It stays with you for a long time.
Liked it but it was about 250 pages too long
Too long, dense but glad I read it
Then wanted to see the Goldfinch
Me too!
Way to long. I got tired of all the drugs and stuff.
did not finish it.
An amazing book. I didn’t find it too long at all. I was sad when it ended.
Me too!
I listened to it and loved it!
I agree. I tried to read it and quit but I was able to listen to it all the way to the end.
Did not care for it but I know many have loved it.
Loved it!
It is not for everybody. I happened on the audio version of it and absolutely loved it, although there were parts that seemed to drag on and on. But overall, I loved the story. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t listen to it vs read it. If you start it and like it, keep going; but it’s a divisive book so if you just aren’t feeling it, it’s likely just not the right book for you.
It was good but longer than it needed to be.
I agree it was too long. I loved parts of it but on and on about other parts I didn’t need.
and I felt so sorry for the little goldfinch in the painting on the cover chained to his perch.
It was a long read for me. I loved the idea of the story but the drug use got to me. I know too many families with children lost to drugs.
I’m a little afraid to attack such a huge book…
I listened to it on a cross-country trip, but I didn’t really enjoy it?
Loved it
Compelling but the character is such a horrible person it’s hard to read.
Hated it. Hated it with the pass ip on of a thousand fiery suns.
Want the author to reimburse me for the time spent slogging thru it.
Laughing because I say that same thing all the time.
Oh, shoot! The darn autocorrect messed up “passion!”
I started it twice and never finished
I loved it.
I thought it was just ok and I loved her other book, the Secret History.
Didn’t like it, but loved her previous books.
I hate to say it but did not love the story. Maybe where I am right now but very grim. Her descriptions were right on and character development good but not a story I enjoyed. Maybe a little too realistic.
So disappointing. The book should have been drastically edited. And some of the violence and drugs were simply gratuitous.
So. Many. Words. Ugh.
Exactly!
I loved it, but do have to agree with you on the drug part.
Absolutely loved it! Even better reading it 2 or 3 times through. Writing and storyline are on par with her first work A Secret History. It’s long, but so complex and engaging that the length is justified. I love her description of artwork, physical spaces and the many layers of despair and depression.
There were sections that might have benefited from some judicious editing, but overall, I loved it.
Totally agree!
Loved it!! Although I know a few ppl who thought it was just okay. I liked The Secret History as much or more.
Loved it.
Excellent! I have read all her books
I enjoyed it, BUT, there were parts that were unnecessary and uninteresting. I agree it needed better editing.
Did not enjoy
Loved that book. Couldn’t wait to read it each day. I could reread it.
Brilliant!
Loved it! Good read
Lonnnng.
I was fascinated while reading it, but afterwards when I thought of it I felt sick, and had no wish to read anything else by Donha Tartt.
Oh. So. Long.
Hated it, second book of hers that was underwhelming for me
My least favorite!
Good read in need of editing.
I enjoyed Secret History by her much more.
I listened to the audio book and loved it.
I loved it!
Really well written, deserving of the praise, accolades and awards. But . . . Depressing as all get out, and not a drop of the warm and fuzzies. You will not walk away from this one with a feeling of joy about all life has to offer. After reading all three of her novels I am beginning to think the author hasn’t had too many happy days.
I didn’t love it.
Loved it. Work of literary art, but very dark.
I was disappointed after all the hype
Well written, but I won’t be reading another of her books.
Loved the beginning, but the final…25%? I did not.
I love Donna Tartt, but this one I felt like I slogged through
Maybe the last book I will ever slog all the way through because everybody else likes it. I found it sooo tedious. I hated all the characters. Nobody learned anything so she had to add the soliloquy at the end to make sure we got all the messages. Arggh!
thought I liked it after the first reading but it is so heavy with remorse I know I’ll never read it again. Have great respect for D. Tartt , the very first page of The Secret History is so enthralling you can hear strains of Phillip Glass as the snow eddies down. But now am beginning to wonder about the writer , brilliant as she is –
Definitely worth the time!
Overrated
I tried but could not read this book
A great read. Worth the time
I did not like it.
It was not what I expected, but I liked it.
Hated it. The last 100 or so pages made me angry for wasting my time!
Started out so well but in the end i just lost interest in the main character. I really wanted him to be a better person.
Agreed!
Reading it now! I love it!
Here is the deal. It’s long, very long! But i really enjoy descriptive books, its what makes me feel like I’m a character right along with those in the story. The topics are heavy and all too frequently things that happen to people everyday. I don’t find it depressing even though the material is depressing. I find it to be a revelation of our society. Definitely not for everyone, but enlightening to me.
Hated it.
I only got 1/4 of the way through this book. It just wasn’t for me.
I enjoyed it.
I wanted to like it,read 1/3 and just couldn’t finish
Same here. Really wanted to like it. Didn’t even make it halfway.
I listened to it and had to check it out from the library 3 times to finish it. I enjoyed it but it did amble a bit.
Its long
Everyone fought ball the time. I quit on it, something i rarely do.
Our book club read this – very strong reactions from people on both ends of the spectrum. I think it’s one of those books you either love or hate. I enjoyed it, personally.
Loved it. Loved the story. Thought the last 100 pages were AMAZING.
Loved it so much!
Loved it! Couldn’t stop thinking about it for a long time after!
Long but good.
????
My mom highly recommended this book to me. I Always finish a book I am reading. Always. I made it about 3/4 and simply couldn’t go further. While the writing was stunningly artful and a breath of fresh air the content of the story was so dark and hopeless it made me feel sick reading it. I love a good sad or realistic novel but this and the other book I was reading at the time, girl on the train or whatever that depressing piece of garbage was and I had no hope left for humanity. It’s taken me a couple years of reading non-fiction and fluff to get over it all.
Yes, my sentiments exactly. I got about 3/4 through then skimmed. May have missed something but just seemed kind of pointless.?
The thing is I think the theme of the book was pointlessness and I thought that was so, so depressing.
@Lisa is that true? That’s very interesting! I feel like hopelessness could describe the theme as well. or how at so many stages in this persons life someone could have helped him. But instead of help or hope for the better all he ever got was pain and suffering.
To me it all seemed to be saying there was just not point to life and there was hopelessness too. It was not an inspiring book at all. I’m surprised I finished it.
Had to make myself finish this one
I couldn’t get through that one.
HATED it
????
Hated it.
So far so good, about 1/3 way thru
I loved it! Very different- but I enjoyed the characters.
I’ve liked her books but they are deep and dark and dangerous
Good book was too much work.
Not so much!
Different strokes for different folks for sure. Glad some enjoyed.
Really enjoyed the first half. Then, not so much. I really tried but ended up shelving it.
In need of a good editor. 🙂
Agree. I was liking it the first half , but the ending was rambling and too long
I thought it was amazing !
Well… I wanted to like it. Sort of like Harry Potter on major drugs….
Loved it
Dark, but I loved it. I am a writer and taught literature and comp in college. It was brilliant.
Loved it.
She’s one of my favorite authors. Her writing has excellent narrative descriptions.
Hated it. Read like 85% and was just done with it. It dragged on and on for me. I just didn’t even care in the end.
I loved the story and characters but way too wordy!
Great story.
Loved it
Too long in the desert.
Great plot twist
Also loved it?
A bit long winded but excellent
loved it
Mehhhhh, I really struggled through it because I didn’t care for the main character. Well-written though.
One of my favorites!!!
Not as good as Secret History but still worth a read.
One of the best!
Loved
Loved it. Exceptional.
Hated it at first, but it sure grew on me!
skip the Vegas part. did not like the ending.
Loved it!
Tough read, but interesting and worth it.
Loved it too
Just o.k
Excellent.
Barely ok, I’d say. Tartt spent an inordinately long time rambling around in the desert.. literally. Then she couldn’t figure out how to say: “the end.” And it just got worse and worse.
Sue Johnson-Dietz , I agree with you. I was very disappointed.
I did not care for 2/3 of it
My favorite part was the end.
Yuck
Loved it!!!
Leave out he Las Vegas part otherwise good
I read it and mostly liked it, but it was over-long and very dark.
I loved the story, but it was really drawn out. It was more like a fairy tale.
I loved it
Bluck
Still on page 408 of a first edition. I need to put on my wading boots and finish it. The adults in the book just made me so angry, I couldn’t handle the dysfunctionalism.
I loved the Secret History but only enjoyed the Goldfinch.
Long and tedious
I loved it!
I liked it!
This seems to be a very polarizing book!
Loved it, but probably felt even more strongly about her novel, MyLittle Friend- I hope I’m remembering the title accurately. We have a large family and could easily see a few of my kids involved in the action in this novel.
Loved it
????????????
Loved it.
Excellent. One of my favorites.
Absolutely brilliant book.
I agree with Jennifer Deloris’s, Tartt’s title Secret History is so much better than GF.
I thought it was beautifully written but I didn’t like any of the characters or the theme.
Read it a few years ago and remember the main character using drugs, drugs, and more drugs. It got tiresome.
I had mixed feelings on this one. Liked the beginning and the end, but it dragged in the middle.
Lonnnng…not one of my faves
Once l got into it, l enjoyed… but was glad when l finished and could move onto the next book on my reading list. I thought it was a bit longer than it should’ve been.
I really enjoyed it but it took me a bit to get into it. Once I did I was hooked!!
Awful.
I found it overly long and drawn out, in need of a strong editing hand to eliminate Tartt’s repetitiveness and self indulgent going off on tangents that contributed nothing to the story. Frankly, it soured me on reading anything else by her, not that we’ll see another book in the next decade.
Well said
I enjoyed it, but think quite a bit could have been edited out and not be missed.
I have to agree with Marilee. I did not enjoy it, and have not read anything else by Tartt.
@Lori Exactly. Because she takes so long to write, I got the impression that her publisher was reluctant to allow an editor to do their job, because with 10 years between books, the publisher wants to sell everything she’s written, even if it’s not important to the book or story.
Agree
Loved it, beautiful story.
I liked it. It was good but not enough to reread.
I liked it. Certain parts goofy. Can’t wait to see the movie. I really don;t like big books. I would like to read History
Lengthy but engaging. There was about a chapter full of dense philosophical blather near the end that I skipped altogether but the rest was fine.
Loved it.
Loved it!!!!
I enjoyed it! I’ve read it twice and liked it even better the second time.
Me too….
Couldn’t get past the first 10 pages
Glad I wasn’t the only one
Got bored.
Lead was unlikeable.
Could NOT do it!!! I was immediately bored…
Loved it and so did my book group.
Meh…
Loved it, but long. The ending … well no spoilers…;)
I somehow made it through. It meandered and needed serious editing. I felt nothing when I finished it.
I thought it needed editing. The protagonist was untrustworthy and unlike able.
I’m reading A Little Life and I keep comparing to Goldfinch. The former was unputdownable.
loved both
I had to take breaks with A Little Life. So depressing I had to read it in bits.
Okay, but not my favorite.
LONG , are you taking a trip?
Didn’t care for it.
Meh…
Long but I enjoyed it. I did it as an audio book.
Interesting beginning then too long and couldn’t wait to be finished
Loved it.
I think it is very ‘mood dependent’ read. I loved it when I read it, but it was a weird time for me so not sure I’d enjoy it now? Or maybe my attention span wouldn’t stay with it. It does meander, and I enjoy that in some novels, but not for every read. Give it a try- no judgement if you can’t get through it! Life’s too short to force it! 🙂
Loved it!!!
Very long
I liked it but I thought they spent too much time on the drug scene. It got to be boring and too much — we read it for book club and it was a good discussion time.
Loved it!
Absolutely LOVED it (but did not like her other book/s)
Some value. I liked the story & characters, but it was far too long. Good editing would have helped.
I’m bored, about half way through. Taking a break and trying The Last Tudor (Phillipa Gregory).
Boring!
Liked the story; but author needed an editor. Wordy, wordy! If you are verbose, you bury the lines that are luminous.
I love her books. Goldfinch is definitely my favorite but they all have an element of pretentiousness to them that I am a complete sucker for.
Meh.
I liked it a lot!!
Loved it, but would only recommend to a selected few.
A tedious long book!
Loved. Such vivid characters.
Too long
I enjoyed it.
Loved it, the beginning more than the end
I have read it twice but the second time around- just made me mad.
Great book.
I tried reading it but couldn’t get far before giving up.
I fought thru it, but finished. Depressing.
The author never used 5 words if she could use 50 instead.
I am a fan of this book and that is an accurate assessment! ?? She did take the “long way around”.
I thought it was wonderful.
I liked it. Odd story.
Loved it
Did not love it…
I did not like this novel. Too much misery, foul language, and not enough good writing to merit the read.
It wasn’t my thing at all. For one thing, I didn’t like how much of the action took place off the page while the protagonist waited in a hotel room. There were many times in this book that I was bored and waiting for something to happen.
Loved it
I find it very memorable. Depressing, too long, but I am glad I read it.
Not one of my favorites
One of my least favorite books of all time. Lol.
I though I was the only one who thought that!
There wasn’t one character I liked!
Hated it
It’S a good read.
Loved it
I absolutely loved it!
It is a good read but it’s maybe 200-300 pages too long. Too much time spent proving the character of the two main protags. I kept thinking, ‘I get it, okay, I get it!” LOL
Liked it overall but after being incredibly long and drawn out, I thought the ending was terrible.
I agree
Beyond depressing
Completely overrated.
Exquisite,uneven in places,disturbing and powerful, I’m glad I read it!
Did not like it. Just dragged on in parts so started skimming the drug parts.
Not a fun read – overrated – but I read exclusively for enjoyment.
Ditto that!
I really really liked it at first. Then all the drug crap–and on and on and on…I was barely able to finish it…I think I finished it? Very disappointing. It could ahve been great
I did not like, nothing good happened in the book
HATED IT!! I despised the main character so much I stopped reading because I just didn’t care what happened to him.
Loved it…even cried!
I absolutely thought it was one if the best books I ever read.
Outstanding.
Loved the book I didn’t like the main character. Awesome thoiugh
Did someone say “difficult read “. At one part I became so anxious but glad I read it. I’d be interested to read something else y her
Her novel The Secret History still reverberates with me. I really get into her usual cadre of deeply flawed, unlikeable characters. How I somehow end up feeling sorry for and rooting for them is a testament to her incredible writing. I loved it!
Best ever
Hated it!
All time favorites! Excellent!!
Finished it, but didn’t love it.
Love ❤️
Very dark. I finished it because I almost always do finish books I start, but I can’t say I enjoyed it,
I agree
Long, but a good read!
Nope.
Loved!!!
I hated it.
Ugh
Still haven’t read it
Really liked it from the beginning….but it got weird and difficult to continue. Listed to on audiobook…over 32 hours long!!!
My thoughts EXACTLY. Really good at first–but then UGGGGGGGG–awful, tedious drug crap
@Cynthia agree
I agree, too. I liked it for awhile, but “too weird & difficult to continue” is exactly how I’d describe it! I actually kept plowing through past the half-way point before quitting.
@Jo i finished…but it was a chore.
Tried three times to read it. Not successful.
Absolutely. Informative and spellbinding.
Read it years ago and still think about it!
Gave up reading it after about 100 pages
A very long and painful story. Awful.
Way too long. I stuck it out because I wanted to know the ending, but it was wayyyyy too long
??
Depressing IMO
I did not like it.
I loved it, but like others said it was way too long. I assure you the movie will be a lot better ?
Loved it
I loved it!!!!!!
I liked it but thought it was too wordy. A lot could have been left out without changing the story.
Couldn’t do it
Generally liked it but needed to lose about 100 pages from the middle
Cant get passed first chapter
Just goes to show you- one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor- our opinions are greatly varied, and all valid
I wanted to like this book so badly since it was very highly recommended by a dear friend. I plowed over half-way through it & finally gave myself permission to stop. I felt so free!
Me too
Love love love
HATED IT
Too long.
I loved it. Then went to the Frick Museum to see it…the Goldfinch. I missed it by days but what a wonderful museum!
Donna Tartt is a great writer but I did not like The Goldfinch
LOVED IT!
Way toooo Long! Had to finish it! Tired of all the drugs
Long, but many good parts. Good writing.
I didn’t like it…
Didn’t care for it !
I loved it. I listened and the reader was really good.
Hated it
Did not finish it- didn’t like it.
I liked it, interesting plot and idea, but could have done without a good chunk of the middle!
my thoughts exactly!
Not worth the time for me anyway.
I agree. I read it and I resent wasting the time–could have read something more worthwhile.
I didn’t really care for that one either
Hard to finish – way too long
I tried to read it last year and I just couldn’t get into it. Someone I respect very much recommended it, so I’m keeping it on my OverDrive wishlist so I can give it another go sometime.
Enjoyed it. A bit slow to start but gets better
It took me forever to read it. I had to put it away for awhile. I read a few books and then went back to it and did eventually finish it. I really didn’t like it.
Loved it!!!!!
I really liked it. Very Dickensian.
Did not like it. Don’t understand how it got such great reviews.
??
I could not put this book down. I still think about this book.
Hated it! But I know people who loved it
I loved it! And her other books.
Me too!
Loved it
YUK!
It was hard to get into but got better.
Loved it. ! Gave it to office mate who is reading right now. Had a friend tearful about the Las Vegas boys really raising themselves and having each other’s back.
Loved it!
Hated it
I liked about 500 pages of it, but felt that it just got unwieldy and too long.
I listened to the audiobook and thought it was brilliant!
Terrific – and gives you a good indication of what goes through the mind of an Eighth Grader!
Liked it!
Enjoy the comments, my daughter-in-law gave it to me, she loved it. Haven’t started it yet, just finished Uneducated by Tara Westover.
Fantastic !! Read it !
Hated it too
Endless
Loved it.
Absolutely hated it. I didn’t like any of the characters and I found the plot uninteresting.
Really good story but I had to think a lot! I love her writing.
I loved the first part that took place in NYC. When the location shifted to Las Vegas, I didn’t like the story and quit reading.
I liked it…but found it a bit violent
I loved it….wild ride where you never know where you will end up….until you are back at the beginning.
I really did not like it. However, I must classify it as a “good book” because much of it has stayed with me even though I disliked it.
Long but worth it.
I read it but wasn’t that crazy about it.
Her others are better
Loved it! It gets long and involved but well worth the effort!
I really enjoyed it although I felt it was a bit too long.
It’s a tough one to get through, but I was glad I persevered and finished it.
Loved it. It was the first book of hers I read. I found it fascinating
Loved it
Enjoyed, didn’t want to stop reading
Never finished, waiting for the movie
I loved it my book club read it
Awesome
Excellent! Profound! Intelligent! One of my all time favorites.
One of my favorite books.
Loved it!!!
Didn’t care for it
Enjoyed the story but felt it was too long.
I liked it a lot
Hated it, put it down about 1/3 through.
You outlasted me! I quit after chapter 3
Did not love it and cant understand the hype.
Didn’t like it- ending didn’t make sense- and what was the whole point of the the painting? He thought it was hidden but it wasn’t- Boris had it? What?? Maybe I just expected too much from it- I loved The Little Friend and the Secret History so much, I think I just expected too much.
Loved it!
Can you tell me what you liked about it? I liked parts, but on the whole not.
@Susanne hi, so Besides her terrific writing, I really loved the way Tartt set the scene, and developed her characters. I knew, going into it, that it would be a long coming-of-age story and I was willing to invest the time. I kind of gave myself to it and went for the ride.
Good but the reader is kept distant from the characters. Read from afar.
Loved it!
Didn’t like it. Didn’t like the main character enough to invest in him. He was a horrible person.
Loved it.
Loved!!!
I loved this book. A good friend of mine told me when I started that it would feel like three books which all came together at the end to make one story and I felt like that was true. I liked the first part, hated the second, and loved the third so much that it more than made up for the parts I didn’t like. ?
Liked it but it was very long
Too long and boring….
I did not like at all. I guess I did not “get it”
Me neither!
Loved it!!!!!!
It was a good read for me.
Good book
Finished it. The whole thing. Kept waiting to find what caused it to be such an important book.
I think the author and readers are too distant from basically uninteresting (drugged) characters.
Great read!
Last third of the book was a letdown.
Lol so were the first 3 chapters! I quit. Too many books and too little time.
Indeed art mystery so much!! Must read
Great book
Listened to it and loved it.
Loved it!
Loved it
I did not like it at all and I tried several times.
Great!
Overrated.
Try “The Little Friend” and “Secret History,” both also by Donna Tartt.
Very dark
Loved it; read it twice.
It took me places I never wanted to go but has haunted me ever since.
It was very good. A lot of twists & turns, keeps you wondering.
Really liked it!!
Liked it a lot!
I really liked it!
I didn’t like it.
It was a bit of a slog.
The beginning was such a slog I put it down, and I don’t normally do that
Outstanding!
Loved it!
Worst. Book. Ever. Wish I could have those hours of reading this book back. If I hadn’t read it on my Kindle I would have burnt it so nobody else had to waste their time with it. No payoff at the end. If you’re thinking of quitting it. QUIT. You’re worth more than this book. OK, that’s my thoughts!
Thank you for affirming that I made the right decision to quit after chapter 3.
I’m so jealous! I do, however, strangely like to find others who hate this book. LOL
Needed a full firmer editing hand. Longer than it needed to be for the story.
I agree that it needed more editing but I loved this book and actually think back to it quite often.
I really enjoyed it Beth but I think it needed better editing! ???
Loved it
Great
So boring that I had to stop after chapter 3. One of those inexplicable prize winners.
??TLDR
Loved it
It was not favorite. Long and drawn out for me
It took me a while to get into it – so dark! But I really loved it ultimately.
Boris pops in my mind frequently. What a character!
Boris was my favorite. I have met a few of him in my life.
Disappointed
One of my all time favorites
I loved it. We have a kitty named Pippa because of that book!
I love that!
Slow for me at first but well worth hanging in as it turns into a great read!!!
Hated it! Just a mess to read and not in a good critical way.
It mostly bored me to tears.
i know what you mean i had to DNF
I finished it but I can’t say I’m particularly glad that I did.
@Kathy you’re brave…i had to keep rereading pages & after awhile i just gave up lol
Meh
I absolutely hated the book.
One of the worst books I have ever read. And my entire book club felt the same.
One of my favorites. Didn’t want it to end!
Ugh.
I did not like it. Did not like the characters, and did not like the conclusion.
Well I loved it and I’m finding it hard to understand why some readers found it boring or messy or whatever. Someone asked the point of the Goldfinch painting… perhaps some people read too literally therefore missing subtlety, illusion, introspection, the sleight of hand of the author, just to begin with. The Goldfinch is a scathingly intelligent novel that requires a commitment but is, nonetheless, immensely readable. Just my take. And for those of you who just couldn’t do it- the movie is coming out next year!
I liked the painting as a tool: It was clearly important to the child, a connection to his deceased mother. He held onto it, selectively, for years. He seemed to think he was immortal as long as it was in his possession –or at as long as he believed it. It was when he learned he no longer held it that he owned his deceit & began to make amends.
Liked the beginning, hated the end
I did like Boris. But the way the author explained the symbolism at the end seemed like a dumbing down for the reader. Can’t we just figure out the symbols and important themes on our own? Lol.
Liked it enough to read a second time.
Loved it! Everytime I see the cover I still smile at the memory of it.
I loved it. A favorite
I appreciated the writing, but found it exhausting.
It was one of those books I felt honored to read and maybe understand.
I didn’t enjoy it.
Following
It really caught my imagination. Did not know what would happen next. Afterwards I searched for a photo of the original. I enjoy oil painting and watercolor. I did my version of Fabricius’s painting in both mediums. I entered my oil version in a Fakes and Frauds show at the Spring Bull Gallery in Newport RI. Each year artists submit their interpretation of a master work. I find you get out of a book what your own imagination is capable. The greater your own imagination is, the more you appreciate an author’s creativity. I would not be a good critic because I find so many things interesting.
It was a big disappointment.
Read it but could not get into it.but glad I read it. The ending makes it all worth it.
Loved the book—it was intriguing. Hated the ending.
I loved it. It goes on too long at the end, but I still loved it.
Loved it! It’s being made into a movie also!
One of my faves
Yes, I liked it but I had to keep at it. Seemed long. I had to find out what happened to the boy.
It’s so so long and slow. I have been reading it for over a month now, and have read about 6 other books since I started. I keep skipping paragraphs at a time to just get through it. The story itself is fine, but the book is unbelievably slow and long!
It was good, but needed to be edited down.
Loved it.
Couldn’t wait until it was done !
Thumbs down! And I loved The Secret History. The Little Friend was ok. So I had high hopes.
One of my favorites!
❤️❤️
Gonna be a movie. Hope I like it.
Loved it!
Loved the story, enjoyed her writing most of the time it was too wordy could have used some serious editing (just my opinion) Great Story
Definitely read it. Wonderful read.
Awful!
Dreadful!!
Liked it until he got to Las Vegas…
Our book club loved it.
Loved the writing, found the story very dark but was glued right until the end.
Loved it, but too long
Amazingly detailed writing. Reading that book is like watching a movie. Loved it.
I think you recommended it. I loved it.
A huge disappointment.
I liked it at first but was disappointed at the ending
Loved it…it dragged a little in the middle but overall, I thought it was great.
Loved it
My daughter-in-law and I loved it!
I loved the ending, keep saying I’m going to reread the last 100 pages. Packed full of interesting thinking material. There were parts however that I thought were overdone
Great one
Great book!
Terribly overrated
Long long long / some beautiful writing.
Liked the book overall. Needed better editing.
Required commitment to finish!
Great story
Too long!
LOVED IT.
It was way too long for the story it told. Felt like there was way too much hype and not enough editing.
Incredible book, a must read !
Too long. It could have ended halfway through and it would have been an excellent book.
Yes, it was long. I hated for it to end. The story was the journey, and the journey was long, arduous, and dangerous.
My all time favorite book EVER! Everything by her is amazing, I can’t wait for her to come out with something new!
Loved it!
Did not like it
Great book with unexpected plot twists.
Great book! I had no idea what it was about before I started it and it wow’d me.
Big disappointment.
Loved the premise, but too long for me
one of my favorite books ever!
Loved the book and yes it was long but James Michener is my favorite author so what do I know.
I loved it!
I enjoyed it. It was long but she is an author whose writing I enjoy. So it just extended the pleasure of enjoying how she constructs scenes and characters.
Couldn’t get into it.
Wonderful book full of flawed characters, intrigue and resolution.
Really liked
I’m probably in the minority on this, but I thought the family stuff was fascinating and the crime stuff not very interesting at all.
Tough and long read.
Some moments of truly elegant prose followed by hundreds of pages of drivel. Nothing like plowing a field only to find the harvest was a lying addict who seemed to want to rectify only a portion of past mistakes. A good editor would have been an invaluable asset and possibly have spared the author and readers many maudlin pages, elevating the book’s level and reach.
I do agree with you so much!
Loved first half, hated second
Great read
while i typically love her books, i couldn’t really get into it.
It seemed to drag on. I think she could have made it shorter and more concise.
O thought I was missing some deep meaning when I found the book boring
Loved it!! It stays with you kind of a story
There were some wonderful stories within the disjointed book. The Las Vegas section was a real downer. But the early part was great , and sections where he lived with the antique dealer were touching.
Absolutely loved it! What a story. The audio book is also very well done.
Loved it and everything else I’ve read by her!
It had enormous problems, and required more editing. There were major consistency errors. But it was better than the unreadable The Little Friend. And it wasn’t BAD, it just had major problems and needed another round of editing. A Secret History is one of my favorite books of all time.
Here is my review of it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1553168038?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
The mark of a great book – I didn’t want it to end even after 300+ pages!
It can be hard to read in some parts
Loved it!
Meh
Long!1
One of the worst, most disappointing books Ive ever read…
Should have and could have been broken into a series. It would have been easier to read. It was disjointed in parts but all in all it was a good read.
Hated the main character ?
Loved Hobie.
I loved Hobie too – he made me think of my grandfather. And I swear, when Popchick came back, I cheered.
I really liked it!
Very good book – though I was little disappointed with the ending.
Loved it and the others she’s written
Loved it! Can’t wait for the movie ?
I loved it too but afraid a movie won’t do it justice
I loved her description about Las Vegas in the book, considering my family thinks living there is just wonderful and I would not. They don’t understand why I don’t want to live there. I did not love the length or the entire story at all. I preferred her other book, the Secret History or whatever its called.
Eh.
Loved it!
Amazing! But that is how I like my fiction…dark & depressing!?
Same ?
I loved it
????
Not my favorite. I thought all the drug rhetoric got repetitive and boring.
I believe the author had a purpose in making the drug rhetoric so repetitive and boring. May be so the reader can experience how awful being hooked is and the standstill of drug addicted lives.
Masterpiece
So good!
could not bear it. sorry. know it is a favorite for some.
I never thought I’d get through this book. I really didn’t like it.
I only finished Goldfinch because it was our book club read.
@Rebecca Sometime after I read it, it became a book club read. I refused to read it again.
So for some, I guess this is where that speed reading came into play.
Way too long, Interesting progression , and finally- depressing. Glad I made it through but not sure it was worth the journey.
Finally finished COMING HOME, which I really enjoyed
Not what you might hope it would be. Loved the beginning and had great hopes for it –
It really took my emotions for a ride. Made me reflect on it a great deal. I think that makes it a great book.
I really liked it but I thought “the secret history” was so much better.
Loved it!
My favorite book ever!
I really liked this book. I would like to read more books by this author.
Secret history is realllllly good !
also , who wants the image of a goldfinch with a CHAIN around its little tiny slender leg ,…..really disturbing and I have the feeling that Ms. Tartt is brilliant but very chilly.And disturbed . H ha ha ha .
It’s a real painting, a 17th century Dutch painting. The Dutch kept goldfinches as pets. It is a beautiful and disturbing image-more complex than it seems at first glance.
Enjoyed it but preferred her Little Friend
Loved it
One of my all time faves..hated for it to end.
It was a 2 week book when I checked it out. I read at least 1/2 of it & meant to get back to it, but never did. It was beautifully written, but very heavy material.
I tried to read it, but just couldn’t do it.
Couldn’t get in to it. Tried several times, nope.
Did not like and did not finish.
Loved it!
It was an interesting book. When it jumped from NYC to Las Vegas, it seemed like a different book, and I didn’t really like the main character at that point. Reading about teens high and wasting their lives away isn’t so interesting. I stuck with it, though, only to see where it was going.
Great read
It pulled me immediately, all her books do but not always thrilled with the endings
I agree. The book was incredible but the ending goes on and on.
Did not like it at all. Extremely disappointed.
Could have been cut down by 1/3. Great read though.
Didn’t like
I learned much about art; the characters are engaging.
Have you read The Art Forger?
@Anne No… Author?
@Lorraine B.A. Shapiro
Long and a little tiresome, it was an audio book.
Dickensian. I loved it.
Good read but way way way too long for the subject
Loved it!
Loved it.
Wonderful. Couldn’t put it down.
Good read.
I am still in the early chapters of the book. It is gut-wrenching to read about the protagonists feelings of lose, guilt, and abandonment. I have been reading the book for 3 years!
Three years and you’re still in the early chapters?
@Susan It has been a difficult read, so it gets put aside for a while and something else is read.
Great Read
Loved it!!!!
Blech
Very good
I loved it. The unexpected twists and turns kept me enthralled.
I thought it was really intriguing. You really had to pay attention to get all the undercurrents
Really liked it!
I’m watching/ my vote Where the Red Fern Grows and second The Help
Not my favorite. I know it’s well loved, but it didn’t resonate with me
I agree
Loved the story. Needed some serious editing. Las Vegas setting was interminable!
@Julia I agree!
Double blech
And yet, it won the Pulitzer.
Couldn’t understand how it won the Pulitzer
For everyone questioning it winning the Pulitzer- it was a beautifully written book. It’s not solely based on the story but also the writing. The book certainly wasn’t for everyone but it was written very well. ❤️
Didn’t see the beauty in the writing
I thought it was well enough written, but much too long and his time in Las Vegas was overwrought.
That is one on my to-read list.
I listened to it and loved it.
Me, too! LOVED IT!
Couldn’t finish it, too long!
I have to say I wasn’t impressed.
I loved it.
Loved it
Too much dtug use.
Agree
what are dtugs ??? I’d like to try them.
@Trish How stupid
well , they always say what adjectives you use really reflect what you think about yourself .
Thanks!
This was a like-dislike read. Dark, yes, but some interesting characterization Easy to put down until last 100 of its 500 pages so much longer than it needed to be, too much reader waiting for something to happen. Enjoyed the literary and art allusions
My feelings too
I liked the main premise but found the ongoing storyline “cluttered “!
I agree. Thought I was going to love it. ?
It was OK but too long.
I liked the first chapter…downhill from there. I never developed a liking for any of the characters.
Liking for characters can make or break a book for me, ex. “Gone Girl.” Didn’t like either one of the couple and so I stopped reading it.
I cared about what happened to the characters.
I am so glad to see others who struggled with this book. I thought I was crazy. It was extremely well written but 900 pages of existential crisis was difficult to trudge through. Because it was a pulitzer I thought I was the only person in the world who hated it.
@Rose Not by a long shot! I liked some of the characters and was fascinated by the painting, but soooo many long passages I hated! And the Russian kid. Blech. It had so much potential but I hated it.
Lol funny , I liked Boris.
A friend once told me she lived next door to a librarian who told her: if you aren’t invested after the first 50 pages, move on to another book….too many great books out there. Sadly, I made it well past 50 but finally gave up. I know many who loved it, I’m just not one of them….
@Mary I wish I could quit reading a book that is bad. I always finish even if I have to take a break. I was punished as a child if I did not finish a book, so no it is ingrained in my psyche to finish everyone I start. Consequently I read several books at a time that way I can have a break from something I am not fond of. I also hesitate to give an opinion if I have not completed the book, feeling it unfair to the author to judge it if I did not even finish reading it. The Goldfinch is one that I was happier with the book after I finished it than I was at many points while reading it. If I had never finished I would never really know how to feel about it. Just a personal philosophy. I actually admire people who can go on to something better. I am sure they are much happier in their reading time than I at times. 🙂
@Rose I used to always finish books as well until my friend told me this. She’s right in my opinion. Every person gets different things out of books so if I’m not enjoying one, I move on, even if it is a highly acclaimed book. Her comment was made as I was struggling to get through a very famous but very long book that I was not enjoying. Life is short. I fear I shall never complete my “to read” list. ?
@Mary agreed. I think my new goal should be to learn to walkaway from a book that is not for me. I did that with atlas shrugged but when I was finally ready to read it, it us now one of my favorites. I set the goldfinch down several times. It probably took me two months to read it. I would read something ekse and then go back to it. Otherwise I woukd never have gotten thru it. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have moved on to something I enjoyed. There are so many good books, it is a shame to waste time reading. I am stuck on a nonfiction book, Doomsday. Maybe I can walk away from that one. 🙂
Very long.
Some other points of view: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/19/goldfinch-donna-tartt-review and https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2014/07/goldfinch-donna-tartt-literary-criticism
Very good Vanity Fair article by Evgenia Peretz. Guardian reviewer was too dismissive, in my opinion.
Thank you for this article. I enjoyed it.
Is Vanity Fair on the list?
Loved it!
2 books in one, I liked it,but once was enough.
Couldn’t finish it.
Yes I lost interest in the characters but kept on reading to see what happened to the painting.
I actually plodded about 60% through this book before giving myself permission to stop. How freeing it was to put it down & pick up a different book!!
that’s exactly how it was for me.
I loved it – listened to the audio and it was so good.
For me too.
I mean I did not like that book !
I liked it at the beginning, but it was very long, and you lose the thread of the story until the very end. Too much going on.
That’s how I felt. By the time it ended, I just didn’t care. And there wasn’t even a solid ending.
First half, slow and too much detail. It picked up but really needed to lose the philosophizing at the end. If your metaphors did not convey your philosophy, don’t do a winded sermon at the end. Tacky.
Sorry, I loved every word at the ending.
I hated the ending that wasn’t even an ending. You have no idea what road that kid took.
After finishing, I reread last couple of chapters, I was so moved.
Incredible book!!!!
Good but confusing story. One of tbose past and recent stories. And LONG.
A downer
@Sandy it was
Good but the Las Vegas section gets to be too long!
@Cheryl That’s how i felt. She over wrote by about 75 pages.
@Cheryl that’s when I gave up. So long and depressing.
I appreciated Las Vegas section for character development.
I finished it because I needed to know how it ended, but it was quit long and drawn out.
Just okay – I expected more
I really enjoyed this book!! I’m thinking about reading it again which is something I never do!
One of my all time Reads!
I loved her 1992 book, Secret History, so was really looking forward to this one. I didn’t like it though. There were a couple of characters I was really interested in, but that didn’t really get fleshed out. I loved the mystery of the painting, but overall I didn’t connect.
I found it a very interesting, ethics posing book. Wish I had had someone to discuss it with!
Loved it.
I agree it was a bit long but otherwise great.
I just finished this beast . This is the second time I have read a Tartt book and come out of it with conflicting feelings. I can’t decide if I liked it or didn’t like it.
Did not finish it after reading 3/4
@Maryann I can certainly understand. She is in need of a good editor at times.
I love Donna Tartt’s writing but it is quite detailed. Some people are not comfortable with it but I love it because you really get to know the character to the point that you feel sadness and joy for their plights and successes. This book, to me was awesome!!
Overrated, IMO.
I loved the beginning, but lost interest by the end. But finished it!
Just finished this beast of a book . The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It is a Pulitzer Prize winner . I have read Tartt’s other books and this one left me feeling the same; that is to say , I am conflicted as to whether I liked it or not. The story itself contains absurd situations. The writing is good , and I enjoyed the research Tartt put in to The Goldfinch painting. One of my favorite classes in school was Art History and I remember talking about this painting. It has a fascinating back story and the image of the poor bird chained to its perch for life is heart breaking and the imagery in this simple painting is open to many interpretations. But is this bookPulitzer worthy? In my opinion, no . Was it a good book? Well, it is a “good read “ as long as you can suspend disbelief and get emerged in the story. The characters are wonderful , especially Boris the Russian bad boy with a heart of gold. Give it a whirl . And hold on tight, it can be a wild ride!
I’m no literary critic but I often have trouble with the prize winning novels. I loved this one though.
She could’ve left out the Las Vegas part. But I liked the book.
@Patti that is where I felt it bogged down as well. Just kept visualizing a bad breaking bad episode LOL
I liked it very much. I bought Secret History after I read Goldfinch bc I liked it so much. Think I liked Goldfinch better.
So far, I like Secret History, but I’m only in Chapter 3. I loved The Goldfinch.