Comments on: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:48:59 +0000

In reply to Erin. This is SO interesting, Erin! I'm going to mention it to the women at The Socratic Salon- it would make a great topic!

By: Shannon @ River City Reading

Shannon @ River City Reading — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 18:46:20 +0000

I’m with everyone else in loving this review, so I’m glad you decided to run it again. I know there was a little bit of a tide against The Goldfinch as it gained popularity, but I still loved it so much and this was such a great reminder of why.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:27:17 +0000

I definitely enjoyed The Goldfinch when I listened to it maybe six months ago. The audiobook is fantastic. I often wonder, though, how listening vs. reading affects my experience of a book. I sometimes think the story comes through more strongly on audio for me, while writing and themes shine more in written form — in the case of The Goldfinch, it’s definitely more the captivating story that sticks in my memory. I’m glad to hear it holds up equally well on the other fronts (and in other formats), too!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 02:17:49 +0000

In reply to Cynthia Robertson. Cynthia, thank you so much! This means a lot coming from you. I know there was some controversy about it winning the Pulitzer but I do think it is an incredible work.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 02:15:20 +0000

In reply to Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf. Thank you, you're so kind!

By: Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf

Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 18:20:16 +0000

I agree with Cynthia, this is the best review of The Goldfinch I’ve read, too! I love how you said Tartt’s writing is “precise.” That’s so true!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:44:38 +0000

In reply to KatieMcD @ Bookish Tendencies. It's so hard to be the dissenting voice, isn't it? And yet, I can see what you're saying and it does make the book more interesting to me to have someone feel so strongly about it. You should definitely try The Secret History. It is marvelous!

By: KatieMcD @ Bookish Tendencies

KatieMcD @ Bookish Tendencies — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:50:23 +0000

I know this book worked for the masses, but it SO didn’t work for me. I HATED Theo SO MUCH, to the point that it detracted from the book. And I normally LOVE an unlikable character, so it’s not just that I didn’t like him, but I felt like I couldn’t connect to him on any level. I feel super left out, and really wish I loved this book like everyone else, but I just. can’t. do it. This is the only book I’ve read by Tartt, and I’m going to give “The Secret History” a go later this year.

By: Cynthia Robertson

Cynthia Robertson — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:49:09 +0000

Meant to type ‘whit’. 🙂

By: Cynthia Robertson

Cynthia Robertson — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:47:38 +0000

Catherine, this is the best review I’ve ever read of The Goldfinch, hands down. You capture exactly what I so loved about this novel, and obviously felt the same love and admiration for it that I did/do. Many people say they can’t get into it, can’t hang with reading something so long, can’t understand it – it’s a gem not everyone can appreciate. Glad (and not a wit surprised) you liked it so much.