The Goldfinch
Audiobook CD - 2013 | Unabridged ed
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Quotes
Add a Quote“Caring too much for objects can destroy you. Only—if you care for a thing enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn’t it? And isn’t the whole point of things—beautiful things—that they connect you to some larger beauty?”
Why does it cost so much, a thing like from kindergarten class? 'Ugly Blob.' 'Black Stick with Tangles." - Boris
That life -- whatever else it is – is short. That fate is cruel but maybe not random. That Nature (meaning Death) always wins but that doesn’t mean we have to bow and grovel to it. … It is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch (the Goldfinch painting). For if disaster and oblivion have followed this painting down through time – so too has love….
Age Suitability
Add Age SuitabilityChapel_Hill_KenMc thinks this title is suitable for 15 years and over
Summary
Add a SummaryLeo is in a museum in New York City when a terrorist sets off a bomb. Alive but stunned, Leo comforts a dying man who gives him a ring with instructions where to take it, and then he grabs a valuable painting of a goldfinch and makes his way out of the museum and home. His mother has died in the bombing, and his life from then on revolves around the painting, the girl Pippa who alerted him to the bomb, Pippa's uncle Hobie who takes in Teo and teaches him to restore antiques, and Boris who is just bad news. This is the story of the power of great artworks to grab you soul and not let go. It is also a powerful reminder of the plight of children who lose their parents, or whose parents don't care for them.
Comment
Add a CommentPulitzer prize. 700 plus pages. Orphan raised in wealthy home, drawn to be artist.
Very good book. I was sad when I finished page 771. I felt like I truly came to know the characters and was a fly on the wall of their lives. I found the story really engrossing and, for me, the detail some readers didn't like made it so much richer. Some authors seem to have a way with words that goes beyond the story being told, and I found Donna Tartt to be one of them with this book. I haven't seen the movie but I can imagine it could only scratch the surface. I would be curious, though, to see how Theo and Boris are portrayed as I developed clear images of both through the book.
I heard that the movie did not get good reviews but maybe because so much of the detail(and yes there is a lot) had to be omitted. Although not my typical genre it was a well told story with incredible character development and I always love a tale set in places I've traveled to or lived in.
Like other reviewers, I could not finish this book, which is rare for me. I read about half of the book, then found myself dreading to pick it up again. Life is short - I gave up.
A decent plot bogged down by too much descriptive text. It may have a great ending but I simply cannot bring myself to finish this book.
i have made it to page 506 and can't find it in myself to pick the book back up. The central character is a druggie, lair and a thief. I want to like him, but have no respect for him. I don't allow people like that in my life, so why would I spend countless hours developing a relationship with a character like that in a book. I am not. The author is talented and their are moments of beauty. I have no idea if it ends well...too painful to continue...
Saw this movie yesterday and I must say it is one of the best I have ever seen, definitely the best so far this year. Acting, writing, direction, production are all first rate.
I did find the book dragged in parts but overall a fascinating premise for the plot and a memorable read.
Movie release September 2019
So often books aim to punch you in the heart on the last few pages, leaving you a bit wounded. By contrast, THE GOLDFINCH had me in tears shortly after I cracked the cover but reading it through to the end was like a journey of healing.