The Goldfinch

I loved this so much! And opposed to "The Secret History" I think this deserved every single page put of the 880 and I would've inhaled another 200! Donna Tartt's writing is stunningly impeccable and an art on its own. The characters are so multi-facetted and complex, I could've sworn they were real and as the story moved on became very dear and close to me. While I can see why many people might not enjoy this as much, I 100% believe this deserves all the hype (and Pulitzer Prize). For anyone who likes some pretentious writing, complex characters and relationships and a bit of art-history: This is the book for you! I will say this is a bad case of terrible movie adaptation and I cannot recommend the film at all. Not only did I become so annoyed at Theo because hes played by Ansel Elgort but it also washes away so many of the complex relationships these characters have.

"I´d be perfectly happy if I could sit looking at the same dozen paintings for the rest of my life. I can´t think of a better way to go insane" I don´t even know where to start with the Goldfinch. This Novel takes you on a journey through grief, self-destruction, and the unrelenting pull of art, beauty and love. Donna Tartt is a genius of words crafting characters so nuanced and real that it feels like you´re the one experiencing all their emotions. You come to know all the characters so intimately, getting pulled into this world, that feels as messy and complex as real life. I got so absorbed in it, it was hard to put the book down, yet at the same time I never wanted it to end. This Novel was always on my mind and had such an impact on me and although it´s lengthy, every page is worth it.

This is one of my favourite books I've ever read! Donna Tartt's depiction of grief, love and friendship is as gripping as it is heart-wrenching. I have laughed, cried and sat still in amazement while reading this book. If you're looking for a book that deals with the variety of human emotions but also has a pinch of action and humour, you might also fall in love with 'The Goldfinch'!

Even though Donna Tartt shows a mesmerizing talent for canonical literature, her Pulitzer prize awarded novel "The Goldfinch" was not able to engage me whole-heartedly. As Theo's story encompasses almost 900 pages, the plot's procession and its character development felt too lengthy on many occassions and made it hard to hang in there and to feel motivated to keep on reading. What kept me going was my personal interest in the fate of Carel Fabritius' painting and whether or not Theo finds his rightful place in the world after having lost his beloved mother under the most catatstrophic circumstances there are. As with Hanya Yanagihara's latest novel "To Paradise" (which I have also reviewed further below) Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch" felt too forced. In direct comparison, previous novels of both authors (Yanagihara "A Little Life" and Tartt "The Secret History") are literary masterpieces that catch the reader instantly and let one fly through the pages!