THE GOLDFINCH
by
Donna Tartt
In The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for
Fiction, we meet young Theo Decker. Theo lived with his mom in New York City until
the Life Changing Event occurred. The two visited a museum and viewed a small
painting of a goldfinch that had greatly influenced his mother. This unusual
painting, his last connection with his mother, becomes a sort of center or
grounding of Theo’s life.
We accompany Theo on his journey
after the Life Changing Event. Tartt gives us access to the impact of such a tragedy
through Theo’s eyes. We meet the people that he would not have met otherwise.
We witness how this one event bends and skews the direction of Theo’s life.
The Goldfinch tells a tragic tale. This
is not a quick summer read; it does not leave the reader feeling warm and
fuzzy; it is a downer from the outset, and it is a very long book. Nonetheless,
it is an extraordinary work, well written and compelling, that provides a rich
three dimensional reading experience. The reader is impelled to continue
reading to reach resolution.
Between the
time that I finished the book and began this review, I saw the trailer for the
upcoming movie release. I did not know that a movie was being made, and while
watching the trailer, all the feelings I had while reading the book came
rushing back. I look forward to seeing the film. Nonetheless, The Goldfinch is a powerful literary
experience.
