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Thoughts on The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt?

Thoughts on The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt?

Beth #review

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873 Answers

Jan

Following

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Linda

Boring, too long and drawn out.

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Alison

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!

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Linda

@Alison I kept waiting for something really good to happen…

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Alison

@Linda I know – he had a chance to change his life, didn’t take the opportunity, and then that just repeated over and over.

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Kristen

Hard to read, good at first, but then it got weird.

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Tana

I ended up liking the book, but thought the Vegas part was way too long!

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Terry

I felt the same.

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Liz

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.

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Larissa

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.

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Anne

Exactly!!!!

2
Liz

@Larissa very well said.

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Priscilla

Excellent!

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Hannah

ugh.

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Juliet

Overall, I found it worth reading. It had about 100 pages that could have been edited out but I did like it.

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Kate

Were they toward the end?

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Juliet

@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.

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Anne

@Kate I bet she’s talking about the part that took place in Vegas.

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Karen

Disappointed.

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Linda

Like two different books crammed together! First half was good, hated second half.

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Kathy

I loved it!

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Elaine

Me, too. Loved!

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Mary

Me too. But my book group was pretty evenly split. Loved it or hated it

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Marie

Eh…

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Gaylen

After I finished it I could not figure out what all the hype was about.

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Beth

I really liked it.

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Mindy

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.

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Debra

Yes, needed editing! I slogged my way through it and was glad I did but was conflicted about continuing at times.

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Marianne

I loved every single written word!

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Andi

Me too!

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Kelly

I would have liked it better if Boris had a bigger role.

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Kate

I fell in love with Boris.

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Kelly

@Kate me too! I want a Part Two with Boris as the main character.

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Judy

Wasn’t a fan, only read it as it won the Pulitzer

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Roberta

Meh

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Michael

Wonderful. A reminder of what made Dickens so enjoyable.

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Donna

LIKE the author’s first name! LOL. #Silly

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Michele

She could have told twice the story in half the time. I mostly liked it, but was dissatisfied overall.

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Karen

Agreed!

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Phyllis

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.

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Karen

I don’t think I liked it.

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Jennifer

Great book by a great author.

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Debra

Loved AND hated it. Overall well worth it!

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Marissa

Meh. Took to long to get any good.

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Marissa

Meh. Took to long to get any good.

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Ashley

Following

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David

The Secret History was better.

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Jennifer

Totally agree.

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Kathy

LOVED it!!!!

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Kathy

The writing was phenomenal!

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Megan

I liked it in the beginning then I skimmed through the end

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Kate

I loved it.

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Jan

It’s ok. Was disappointed but I read it. I’ll give you mine for free. Lol

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Jane

I loved it. The ending was beautifully written. I love to reread the ending thoughts.

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Andi

Absolutely loved but I’m a huge Donna Tartt fangirl!!!

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Mary

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.

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Julie

Fantastic.

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John

Loved it..

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Ellen

Our book group liked the book, but thought it was unnecessarily L-O-N-G!

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Kathy

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.

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Lyn

One of my all time favorites!

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Laurel

Same

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Sarah

Loved it

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Pamela

Loved loved loved it!!!!!

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Debbie

Didn’t want to finish it.

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Graciela

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!!

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Mary

I enjoyed it. Loved some of the plot twists and i thought the characters were wonderfully written.

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Bonnie

I loved it !

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Loriann

I really struggled to finish it. The Secret History was much better.

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Valerie

I was sorely disappointed in this book. It was so highly acclaimed, but all the hype didn’t measure up in my humble opinion.

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Wittney

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

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Cecilia

I agree. I slogged through it but it definitely could have been a hundred pages shorter.

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Liz

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??

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Janice

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.

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Karen

I agree! Just too long

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Laura

Liked it!

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Cass

I was disappointed Thought much of it was boring

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Cathy

I agree

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Janice

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!

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Stephanie

I thought it started slow.

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Vickie

Meh.

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Janell

Good but sad.

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Kristy

❤️❤️

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Jenine

I disliked the book. I found the author to write with an air of pretentiousness.

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Valerie

Agreed!

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Alison

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!

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Terry

I could not get through it. About three quarters through I was thinking, “End it already.”

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Ryan

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.

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Carol

LONG! Would not recommend it.

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Francesca

Incredible story ! Slow in just one part, but hang on…it’s worth it!

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Linda

I read the entire book, but I did not like it.

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Rhonda

Hated it.

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Trina

Do not particularly care for the book.

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Kathie

Thumbs down.

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Bev

Too long.

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Ursula

Meh is right…didn’t like how the storyline unfolded. ?

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Megan

Needed A LOT more and better editing.

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Keri

I couldn’t get into it. I wanted to!

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Melinda

Me, too. I tried twice and that was enough.

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Amanda

Sooooo slow of a read

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Sherry

Very slow read . Finally just stopped reading

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Jeff

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.

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Dona

Did not like it.

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BethQuestion author

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!

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Sara

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.

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Irene

Loved the audio of the book. But agreed: needed an edit.

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Rebecca

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.

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Larissa

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.

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Amy

I really enjoyed it.

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Lisa

I just enjoy discussing books.

I don’t mind if people don’t like the same books as I do.

Viva la difference!

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Marianne

Needed a good edit

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Andi

@Lisa exactly!

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Lisa

Loved every single page!

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Deborah

Same.

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Tifini

I really liked it, but it’s a bit long. My favorite book of hers is The Secret History.

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Larissa

Loved The Secret History!!

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Mary

I Loved The Secret History!

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Cee

I did enjoy for the most part, but towards the end I found it dragging a bit.

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Marielle

Loved it!

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Elizabeth

Great book, but not for everyone.

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Susan

Didn’t like it at all. I finished it cause I was waiting for it to get better but it didn’t

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Jean

Really good book, BUT, it did drag in places. No where near as good as The Secret History.

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Stacy

Loved it! Though as a Native American reader, I didn’t understand why she made the main character Cherokee then just dropped it.

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Pam

Boring

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Kimberly

Overrated!

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Susan

I loved it. One of my all time favorites.

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Amy

was not a fan…

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Karen

Loved it!

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Allyson

meh.

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Lila

Longer than it needed to be.

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Kathy

Disappointed

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Deborah

I disliked it.

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Lisa

I read it but Secret History was much better

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Laura

I quit around page 200. But I know many people who loved it.

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Carrie

Hated it

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Lynn

Couldn’t finish it.

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Lynn

Glad to see I wasn’t the only one. LOL

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Kim

HATED IT!!! The only book I’ve ever read that I wish I could get my time back from!!!

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Marsha

Good in the end. Needed to be edited more. Very long.

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Sherry

Not my favorite book.

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Tammy

Loved it!

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Tina

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.

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Roslyn

I enjoyed it

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Linda

Just ok

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Meg

Needed a better editor.

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Susan

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.

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Joan

So long and slow

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Barbara

Hated it

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Sarah

Stunning book

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Lora

Excellent book!! Very unique story line.

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Colette

Think Donna Tartt is an amazing writer.

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Terry

Like The Catcher in the Rye but stretched over many years with a little fictionized art history & terrorism thrown in.

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Concetta

Couldn’t finish it

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Rebecca

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.

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Billie

Absolutely ADORED!!!

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Sue

I really enjoyed it quite a lot.

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Ann

I loved this book.

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Carol

Great book

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Regina

I liked it

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Kathy

I loved it and my mother hated it

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Lisa

Abandoned it after waiting 6 months on the library waitlist.

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Deborah

Liked

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Keisha

I did not care for it but muddled through

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Tracy

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.

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Amoreena

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

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Bev

Did not like it

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Julie

Very good.

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Jody

I really liked it and could see why the main character behaved the way he did.

1
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Emma

Soooo good

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Barbara

Fantastic! Just like everything else by Donna Tartt.

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Debbie

Good but too long.

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Peggy

Loved!

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Pam

I liked it, gonna read again before the movie comes out next year!

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Kathy

Liked the book. Soooooo wordy.

1
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Beryl

Great book

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Keith

Liked it but a bit long

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Marianne

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!

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Keith

I can see his being a made for TV movie

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Jessica

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.

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Andi

I have books like that too, I’ve changed ratings on Goodreads years after because I’m still pondering them.

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Susan

That’s when you know a book is really good. It stays with you for a long time.

1
Amy

Liked it but it was about 250 pages too long

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Johanna

Too long, dense but glad I read it

1
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Barb

Then wanted to see the Goldfinch

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Sara

Me too!

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Carole

Way to long. I got tired of all the drugs and stuff.

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Maryann

did not finish it.

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Janet

An amazing book. I didn’t find it too long at all. I was sad when it ended.

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Andi

Me too!

1
Emily

I listened to it and loved it!

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Carolina

I agree. I tried to read it and quit but I was able to listen to it all the way to the end.

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Suzzanne

Did not care for it but I know many have loved it.

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Lori

Loved it!

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Sara

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.

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Michelle

It was good but longer than it needed to be.

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Eileen

I agree it was too long. I loved parts of it but on and on about other parts I didn’t need.

1
Eileen

and I felt so sorry for the little goldfinch in the painting on the cover chained to his perch.

1
Judy

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.

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Judy

I’m a little afraid to attack such a huge book…

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Pam

I listened to it on a cross-country trip, but I didn’t really enjoy it?

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Linda

Loved it

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Tori

Compelling but the character is such a horrible person it’s hard to read.

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Sarah

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.

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Susan

Laughing because I say that same thing all the time.

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Sarah

Oh, shoot! The darn autocorrect messed up “passion!”

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Michelle

I started it twice and never finished

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Laura

I loved it.

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Linda

I thought it was just ok and I loved her other book, the Secret History.

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Kris

Didn’t like it, but loved her previous books.

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Cathi

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.

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Lisa

So disappointing. The book should have been drastically edited. And some of the violence and drugs were simply gratuitous.

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Suzzanne

So. Many. Words. Ugh.

1
Sarah

Exactly!

1
Anne

I loved it, but do have to agree with you on the drug part.

2
Liz

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.

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Gerry

There were sections that might have benefited from some judicious editing, but overall, I loved it.

1
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Anne

Totally agree!

0
Anne

Loved it!! Although I know a few ppl who thought it was just okay. I liked The Secret History as much or more.

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Nicole

Loved it.

1
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Carol

Excellent! I have read all her books

0
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Melba

I enjoyed it, BUT, there were parts that were unnecessary and uninteresting. I agree it needed better editing.

1
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Emily

Did not enjoy

0
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Leslie

Loved that book. Couldn’t wait to read it each day. I could reread it.

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Melanie

Brilliant!

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Dolores

Loved it! Good read

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Kathy

Lonnnng.

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Carol

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.

1
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Janie

Oh. So. Long.

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Heather

Hated it, second book of hers that was underwhelming for me

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Antoinette

My least favorite!

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Janet

Good read in need of editing.

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Janie

I enjoyed Secret History by her much more.

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Kate

I listened to the audio book and loved it.

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Debbie

I loved it!

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Pam

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.

2
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Cathy

I didn’t love it.

2
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Andrea

Loved it. Work of literary art, but very dark.

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Leslie

I was disappointed after all the hype

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Loretta

Well written, but I won’t be reading another of her books.

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Susan

Loved the beginning, but the final…25%? I did not.

1
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Elizabeth

I love Donna Tartt, but this one I felt like I slogged through

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Annie

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!

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Trish

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 –

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Susan

Definitely worth the time!

0
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Dianna

Overrated

1
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Daisy

I tried but could not read this book

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Margaret

A great read. Worth the time

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Karen

I did not like it.

1
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Michelle

It was not what I expected, but I liked it.

1
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Annmarie

Hated it. The last 100 or so pages made me angry for wasting my time!

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Theresa

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.

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Valerie

Agreed!

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Margaret

Reading it now! I love it!

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Margaret

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.

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Maureen

Hated it.

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Natalie

I only got 1/4 of the way through this book. It just wasn’t for me.

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Carole

I enjoyed it.

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Barbara

I wanted to like it,read 1/3 and just couldn’t finish

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Shannon

Same here. Really wanted to like it. Didn’t even make it halfway.

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Bonnie

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.

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Gail

Its long

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Beth

Everyone fought ball the time. I quit on it, something i rarely do.

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Jenny

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.

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Cathi

Loved it. Loved the story. Thought the last 100 pages were AMAZING.

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Ashley

Loved it so much!

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Sandi

Loved it! Couldn’t stop thinking about it for a long time after!

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Pam

Long but good.

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Theresa

????

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Brittany

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.

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Cathi

Yes, my sentiments exactly. I got about 3/4 through then skimmed. May have missed something but just seemed kind of pointless.?

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Lisa

The thing is I think the theme of the book was pointlessness and I thought that was so, so depressing.

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Brittany

@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.

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Lisa

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.

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Anne

Had to make myself finish this one

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Tonja

I couldn’t get through that one.

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Amy

HATED it

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Joylin

????

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Rachel

Hated it.

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Janice

So far so good, about 1/3 way thru

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Katherine

I loved it! Very different- but I enjoyed the characters.

1
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Elaine

I’ve liked her books but they are deep and dark and dangerous

1
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Julie

Good book was too much work.

1
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Robyn

Not so much!

0
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Cathi

Different strokes for different folks for sure. Glad some enjoyed.

0
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Tamara

Really enjoyed the first half. Then, not so much. I really tried but ended up shelving it.

0
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Margarete

In need of a good editor. 🙂

5
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Beth

Agree. I was liking it the first half , but the ending was rambling and too long

1
Trish

I thought it was amazing !

2
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Regena

Well… I wanted to like it. Sort of like Harry Potter on major drugs….

0
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Pat

Loved it

0
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Casey

Dark, but I loved it. I am a writer and taught literature and comp in college. It was brilliant.

2
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Sandi

Loved it.

0
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Sandra

She’s one of my favorite authors. Her writing has excellent narrative descriptions.

1
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Cresta

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.

2
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Beth

I loved the story and characters but way too wordy!

1
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Paula

Great story.

0
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Linda

Loved it

0
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Diane

Too long in the desert.

1
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Laurie

Great plot twist

0
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Linda

Also loved it?

0
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Courtney

A bit long winded but excellent

0
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Donna

loved it

0
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Andi

Mehhhhh, I really struggled through it because I didn’t care for the main character. Well-written though.

1
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Carrie

One of my favorites!!!

0
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Godfrey

Not as good as Secret History but still worth a read.

0
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Joyce

One of the best!

1
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Nina

Loved

1
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Tami

Loved it. Exceptional.

2
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Kay

Hated it at first, but it sure grew on me!

0
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Julie

skip the Vegas part. did not like the ending.

0
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Eileen

Loved it!

0
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Jenn

Tough read, but interesting and worth it.

0
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Marsha

Loved it too

0
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Staci

Just o.k

0
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Cindy

Excellent.

0
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Sue

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.

2
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Mona

Sue Johnson-Dietz , I agree with you. I was very disappointed.

1
Kimberley

I did not care for 2/3 of it

0
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Janet

My favorite part was the end.

0
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Shannon

Yuck

2
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Liz

Loved it!!!

0
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Pat

Leave out he Las Vegas part otherwise good

2
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J.a.

I read it and mostly liked it, but it was over-long and very dark.

1
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Bonnie

I loved the story, but it was really drawn out. It was more like a fairy tale.

0
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Debbie

I loved it

0
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Jennifer

Bluck

0
Susie

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.

2
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Jennifer

I loved the Secret History but only enjoyed the Goldfinch.

0
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Kit

Long and tedious

1
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Cindy

I loved it!

0
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Amy

I liked it!

0
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Diane

This seems to be a very polarizing book!

0
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Mary

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.

0
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Susan

Loved it

0
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Christine

????????????

0
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Shelly

Loved it.

0
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Dottie

Excellent. One of my favorites.

0
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Wendy

Absolutely brilliant book.

1
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Lisa

I agree with Jennifer Deloris’s, Tartt’s title Secret History is so much better than GF.

0
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Lisa

I thought it was beautifully written but I didn’t like any of the characters or the theme.

0
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Karen

Read it a few years ago and remember the main character using drugs, drugs, and more drugs. It got tiresome.

2
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Deborah

I had mixed feelings on this one. Liked the beginning and the end, but it dragged in the middle.

2
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Ann

Lonnnng…not one of my faves

1
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Jennifer

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.

0
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Linda

I really enjoyed it but it took me a bit to get into it. Once I did I was hooked!!

0
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Deirdre

Awful.

0
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Marilee

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.

2
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Kit

Well said

0
Lori

I enjoyed it, but think quite a bit could have been edited out and not be missed.

1
Mary

I have to agree with Marilee. I did not enjoy it, and have not read anything else by Tartt.

1
Marilee

@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.

1
Paula

Agree

0
Renata

Loved it, beautiful story.

2
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Marna

I liked it. It was good but not enough to reread.

0
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Barbara

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

0
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Gary

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.

0
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Mary

Loved it.

0
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Mary

Loved it!!!!

0
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Mary

I enjoyed it! I’ve read it twice and liked it even better the second time.

3
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Cynthia

Me too….

0
Rachel

Couldn’t get past the first 10 pages

1
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Christine

Glad I wasn’t the only one

0
Aiza

Got bored.

0
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Aiza

Lead was unlikeable.

0
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Kendra

Could NOT do it!!! I was immediately bored…

0
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Ann

Loved it and so did my book group.

0
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Andrea

Meh…

0
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Kelley

Loved it, but long. The ending … well no spoilers…;)

0
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Martha

I somehow made it through. It meandered and needed serious editing. I felt nothing when I finished it.

2
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Carol

I thought it needed editing. The protagonist was untrustworthy and unlike able.

2
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Aiza

I’m reading A Little Life and I keep comparing to Goldfinch. The former was unputdownable.

2
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Andi

loved both

1
Megan

I had to take breaks with A Little Life. So depressing I had to read it in bits.

1
Denise

Okay, but not my favorite.

0
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Marcia

LONG , are you taking a trip?

1
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Jan

Didn’t care for it.

1
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Jackie

Meh…

0
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Kathleen

Long but I enjoyed it. I did it as an audio book.

0
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Erin

Interesting beginning then too long and couldn’t wait to be finished

2
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Donna

Loved it.

0
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Lee

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! 🙂

0
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Grace

Loved it!!!

0
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Frances

Very long

1
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Marj

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.

1
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Karen

Loved it!

0
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Carrie

Absolutely LOVED it (but did not like her other book/s)

0
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Lisa

Some value. I liked the story & characters, but it was far too long. Good editing would have helped.

1
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Linda

I’m bored, about half way through. Taking a break and trying The Last Tudor (Phillipa Gregory).

0
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Sherrie

Boring!

1
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Pat

Liked the story; but author needed an editor. Wordy, wordy! If you are verbose, you bury the lines that are luminous.

1
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Mika

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.

0
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Melissa

Meh.

1
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Terri

I liked it a lot!!

1
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Sue

Loved it, but would only recommend to a selected few.

0
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Gail

A tedious long book!

0
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Amy

Loved. Such vivid characters.

0
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Judy

Too long

0
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Judy

I enjoyed it.

0
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Kathleen

Loved it, the beginning more than the end

1
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Debbie

I have read it twice but the second time around- just made me mad.

0
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Mary

Great book.

0
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Randi

I tried reading it but couldn’t get far before giving up.

0
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Joylin

I fought thru it, but finished. Depressing.

0
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Sharon

The author never used 5 words if she could use 50 instead.

4
Reply
Jessica

I am a fan of this book and that is an accurate assessment! ?? She did take the “long way around”.

1
Barbara

I thought it was wonderful.

1
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Charlotte

I liked it. Odd story.

0
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Sandra

Loved it

0
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Cindy

Did not love it…

0
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Colleen

I did not like this novel. Too much misery, foul language, and not enough good writing to merit the read.

1
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Jenel

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.

1
Reply
Holly

Loved it

0
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Shirley

I find it very memorable. Depressing, too long, but I am glad I read it.

1
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Patti

Not one of my favorites

0
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Christy

One of my least favorite books of all time. Lol.

1
Reply
Darlene

I though I was the only one who thought that!

0
Christy

There wasn’t one character I liked!

0
Martha

Hated it

0
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Barbara

It’S a good read.

0
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Diane

Loved it

0
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Suzanne

I absolutely loved it!

0
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Karen

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

3
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Tara

Liked it overall but after being incredibly long and drawn out, I thought the ending was terrible.

1
Reply
Michele

I agree

1
Jenifer

Beyond depressing

0
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Mary

Completely overrated.

5
Reply
Rose

Exquisite,uneven in places,disturbing and powerful, I’m glad I read it!

1
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Judy

Did not like it. Just dragged on in parts so started skimming the drug parts.

0
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Nora

Not a fun read – overrated – but I read exclusively for enjoyment.

1
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Kathy

Ditto that!

0
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Cynthia

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

0
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Nancy

I did not like, nothing good happened in the book

0
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Jessica

HATED IT!! I despised the main character so much I stopped reading because I just didn’t care what happened to him.

0
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Joyce

Loved it…even cried!

1
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Suzanne

I absolutely thought it was one if the best books I ever read.

6
Reply
Pat

Outstanding.

0
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Ann

Loved the book I didn’t like the main character. Awesome thoiugh

1
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Linda

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

0
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D.M.

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!

0
Rob

Best ever

0
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Robin

Hated it!

3
Reply
Heather

All time favorites! Excellent!!

1
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Tammy

Finished it, but didn’t love it.