THE GOLDFINCH BOOK REVIEW! | Spoiler Free
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2016
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Love your reviews but I really disagree with some of assertions here.
1- I enjoyed the Vegas section: I felt it was important to show his time on his own there and how it shapes his psyche and influences future decisions
2- the women were great: I felt there was considerable effort put into shaping Pippa, his mother, Sandra, and Kitsy. I wish there would have been more character development earlier in the story for Kitsy’s character. But I felt like the female roles were people I actually knew by the time the novel ended
I agree, the Las Vegas section is one of my favourites. I do think some parts of the book drag a little but for me it's usually when a chapter mostly consists of description of the surroundings with no actions. The LV section felt very "active", a lot was happening and, as you said, Theo changed a lot in that period.
Las Vegas section was just INDISPENSABLE. The desert, hanging out with Boris, the solitude, the parents' carelessness on their kids. VEGAS was just CRUCIAL to their lives, to what develops next. Thank you for your comments. This is a book that is so well-written and structured, that regardless of liking it or not, which of course is a matter of taste, it is a master piece, again, you cannot like something but still objectively recognize it is a masterpiece. LOVED this book, I only wished I could have known more about BORIS, so so fascinating and smart.
I agree and I think it’s important to note that we are seeing the women in this story through Theo. He is the lense and he has a very difficult and impossible time of forging intimate relationships with women since the death of his mother. He hold’s everyone at a distance because he is continually losing people through out the story.
They’re making a movieee
Isabella Zerrweck and finn wolfhard is gonna be there i’m so excited!!
Isabella Zerrweck Really excited for it. I’m excited to see if they nail the characters. Especially the more difficult ones like Boris.
Have fun (this is a reminder in case you forgot your love for this book)
I actually loved the Vegas section. Idk they were some of my favorite parts. I agree the women were totally flat which was super disappointing.
Wasn’t the fact that Theodore was telling the story the main reason the women were flat though? He didn’t have a great connection with any of the female characters after his mother died. To me, he didn’t have the ability to really connect with any of the female characters and Pippa was more of a dream girl to him than anything real.
@@kerrykeith4740 i mean yeah that’s true but most of donna tartts books don’t have very well written female characters so i think it might be more a problem with her. still one of my favorite books though. and i agree the way theo (and by extension we the reader) saw pippa was supposed to be a flat hollow ‘dream girl’ that could fix all of his problems, and a connection to his life with his mother since she was there the last time he saw her, and especially her connection to his journey with drugs with the morphine lollipop. he was more using her to cope than actually building a relationship with her. and i think that was very interesting, i don’t have a problem with the way pippa was written.
The goldfinch is probably the #1 book I see in free bins, little free libraries, secondhand stores, and clearance racks. Maybe it’s just because I recognize it more than others. I haven’t read it but I wonder if it’s there because of the sheer number of copies that exist or because a lot of people found it mediocre enough to give away.
it's so cool that you said it reminded you of jk rowling's writing, because it totally did that for me too. why exactly i don't know, but right from the beginning i recognised in theo some of harry, only darker and more screwed up. and then in vegas he got the nickname potter!? it's like rowling's ghost is watching me from the corner of the page!
im reading this bc of the upcoming movie which stars two of my fav actors
bob duncan Same :))
bob duncan SAMEEE
same !
Same
i agree with everything you said except the fact that i loved the vegas section! i actually thought it was the most interesting chapter
yes. i absolutely agree with you about the Las Vegas part seems like forever. and also I agree with once again about the first 50 pages of the book. i do feel connected with Theo. I feel sad for him after the incident happen. now, i feel like i want to reread it again. Great review..
Really great, concise review! I've been meaning to read this but yes, the size makes it so I'm perpetually putting it off. It sounds like, though, that I should just start and make my way through it as I can, knowing that if I ever have to take breaks, that would be doable in this book. I love coming of age stories too. I need to just do the thing.
Thanks Marines! Yes, I think you would really enjoy it, and because the writing isn't incredibly dense, even though its size is massive, it won't induce a headache haha
I read it over the last eleven days. This is my 24th book this year. Easily the best I have read and oh I have read quite a few great ones. Your review inspired me to read it - thank you.
Others on your list please!! I’d like to know some of the other books you read.
Currently on page 130 ish and it’s kind of boring to me does it start to get more interesting after a certain point?
Great review, thanks for sharing this!😊
I didn't know you wrote books! Aren't you a singer?
Totally agree with your review, that Las Vegas section was rough!
+Vicki Lewis Glad I wasn't the only who felt that way!
what the hell?? boris is like the best character ever, and their relationship is one of the best in the book
@@bilbobaggins2643 Exactly, that whole section of the book is character development. It's really important since it ties in everything and shows Theo's character and why he turn to the life of crime e.g. fraud ect...
I personally loved the Vegas section since it has one of my fav characters in it but it also is really important for the the rest of the story line.
My reasoning may not make sense since i find it hard to explain things some times but that my view on the Vegas section of the book.
I noticed that there were grammar errors and style issues in the writing of this book. Not enough editing I guess? What do you think?
I’m ready to return this to the library. After many chapters, barely anything has happened. I’m hoping that this book picks up soon.
The Secret History by her is my favorite book of all-time. The female characters are, again, a little flat in that one since it's much more focused on male friendships and jealousies and privilege, but the pacing was much better. I also really enjoyed how it's a YA novel in the sense that it revolves around college students, but the themes and writings were very different from what is typically found in books focusing on characters that age. :)
what page does the Las Vegas section start?
Thanks for a review with no spoilers, hard to come by
Loved the Las Vegas section
I'm so glad you reviewed this. Girl you crack me up! I'm interested in this book now.
+TamikaUploaded hahah thanks ;D
i got stuck on the las vegas part and ended up putting the book down for a few months now, i've been meaning to pick it up again and power through. the secret history by donna is in my top 5 faves, if you enjoyed this one i think you'll like it even better!
+lindsanity Good to know!
the las vegas part took me 3 hours to read, i was absolutely hooked hahaha
@@amandacederberg9396 me too!! I actually had to put it down once it was over, I was so attached to it and I was absolutely torn when it was over. boris is DEFINETLY my favorite character.
I read The Secret History last year and absolutely loved it. It was one of my favorite books last year. As you said in the video that even though it's a really long book, it's so easy to get through it. Same goes for The Secret History. And I fell in love with the characters, I got so attached to them all (maybe a little less to the main character, the narrator). I'm really looking forward to reading The Goldfinch.
+Dancing Books A lot of people have been saying how great it is, so I'll have to check it out!
Donna Tartt tends to lean towards really flat female characters (besides in The Little Friend) which I find really fascinating. I don't know why she does treat her female characters that way. But I'm glad you liked this one; it was the first Tartt novel I read as well and absolutely fell in love. I agree with what you said about feeling to connected to Theo--in the first 50 pages I was basically hooked. I haven't read it in 2 years now, but I'm really interested in re-reading it and seeing how I feel about it with a little bit more experience (especially with her work) under my belt. Great review
I remember in one of your videos, you mentioned that you adore this book so much,m that it's almost painful for you to hear people dislike it. So I'm very happy I ended up liking it!
I think I'm a bit passed that intense feeling toward the book hah. I still absolutely love it, but I'm removed enough to understand why other people might not love it as much. But I do have a special place in my heart for Theo as a kid because he was just such a great protagonist to read about. And I'm glad you didn't hate it! haha.
I agree with you on the flat female characters, having just read THE SECRET HISTORY. Plan on reading THE GOLDFINCH within the next few months.
Katie! good job. definitely check out The Long Walk by StePhen King as he writes under the pen name Richard Bachman.. the plot is simple but oh boy it's an enthralling and quick read.
+V.o.V Thanks for the recommendation! I've heard really good things about it.
Yeah, I completely agree with your critique on the Las vegas section; I actually complained about that part on the review I did too. :-/ I think she should've just trimmed down that romance subplot between Boris and that other girl whose name I forgot.
I'm from Connecticut! What area will you be in?!
The problem of the Las Vegas section is that it feels like a giant detour. Before that, we already know where the story is going to (with the art stuff and all), and then he is taken away from it for, like, one third of the book.
I've had this on my shelf for a while and I think I'm gonna take it on my honeymoon with me so it was very fun listening to your review :) - got me all excited!
+Rose Mannering Aww congrats!!!! :D
oh my god. That Ina Garten head killed me. I have the audio of the Goldfinch and I was a little skeptical because it's so long, so it's good to hear that the audiobook version is well done!
I loved your point about feeling nostalgic when you're in the middle of the book. I have definitely had that feeling before!
Hehehe while there, I will start to wear chambray shirts, and slowly become her.
+ChapterStackss I hope so! The world needs more Ian Gartens!!!!
Not sure if you read “where the crawdads sing”. It’s a great book
Eu simplesmente amei esse livro! Donna Tartt é dona de um talento incrível! I from Brazil and I just see your video and I liked it!
I would recommend The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Good Girl by Mary Kubica. Oh and On The Island by Tracey Garvis Graves.
+Steph R I think my mom actually has The Nightingale, so that works! haha
I read this last summer and really wound up enjoying it. I don't remember too much about the female characters (which I suppose is probably an indication that they are fairly flat), but I definitely agree with you about the Las Vegas section. Despite its length, I felt like the book moved along fairly quickly...except for that one part. I am interested in rereading it again though, since I read it before I started booktubing and therefore didn't wind up reviewing it or having anyone to discuss it with.
+sarahannereads It seems we agreed on everything about it! haha
I also enjoyed the style of writing.
Hey hun 😊 I've been subscribed to your channel for a while now but haven't commented (because I'm slack ;). I just picked up this book a few weeks ago after a year long search for it (apparently it is hard to come by here in Australia). I am now 50 pages in and am enjoying it so far but not as much as I thought I would. Would you suggest sticking with it and do you feel it gets better? I would really appreciate any help you can give 😊.
P.S. My partner and I both love your channel and really love the discussions you take part in. You seem like an amazing person!
I completely agree with your review.
Great review! I am really glad you enjoyed The Goldfinch (in the end...). Interesting what you said about the female characters being flat. Somehow I didn't experience it that way, but that could also be because I am much more of a plot-oriented-reader than a character-oriented-reader. And: now, that you've read The Goldfinch, are you planning on reading Secret History as well?
+Britta Böhler (The Second Shelf) I'm not sure about The Secret History. From most people who have read both, I've heard that they like The Goldfinch, so I don't know..
I don't want to be too pushy, but you should give Secret Hsitory a try, it's absolutely worth it! I thought it was as good as Goldfinch. Only Tartt's 2nd novel, Little Friend, was less great, but the other two are both fantastic.
Mind of the Phoenix by Jamie McLachlan
I got this book from NetGalley last year. I would love to know your thoughts on it.
+Marie Thanks!
Great Review! I remember this is the book you accidentally bought as a big print haha? :) I would absolutely love to see a book review for "Power" next! :) xx
+TheLavenderAndHoney Hahahaha yes. My next video will be a summer tbr, but after that, I'll review Power!
Donna Tartt is just one of those authors I doubt I'll ever get to but I'm glad you enjoyed it!! My book rec at the moment would be "Now You See Me" by Sharon Bolton which is the book I'm telling everyone to read haha! It's a crime detective novel featuring a Jack the Ripper copy-cat killer and I enjoyed it a lot ^!^
+The Book Fox Ooooh that sounds good! Thanks.
It took me 5 days to get through the first chapter - it dragged on so much. I’m hoping it’ll get better 😬
I do wonder if that is something Tartt unconsciously does in all of her writing, the big chunk of slow moving, tedious plot mid book. The exact same thing happened during The Secret History and honestly 100 pages at least could have just been cut and the book would have been perfect. Great review!
+Jean Bookishthoughts I was wondering about if unconscious about the female characters as well. Thanks Jean!
Been waiting so long for this review and it was great! I know this is off topic, but have you read the Great Gatsby? If so, what were your thoughts on it? I had an interesting conversation with a teacher and a classmate about it today.
I've actually read The Great Gatsby twice and really enjoyed it!
+ChapterStackss A lot of people have said that they hated because they thought the characters were too horrible and selfish. But I actually think that's one of the reasons so many people love it -- or at least why I love it. Lol
Finally finished the book. It was an enjoyable enough read each time I picked it up but it was definitely not “gripping” or a page-turner for me. I don’t understand the praise this book gets but it I’m still glad I read it.
I loved The Secret History by her, it's one of my all time favourites. I enjoyed it from start to end and can find no faults or cons.
+Lucifersdaughter So many people have said how great it is, so I'll have to check it out!
Great video I'm happy you ended up liking this book and all of your time with it wasn't wasted.
+PIMP BOOK REVIEW haha so am I!
Because of the type of books you like, I think you would enjoy A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay; it's very eerie though in an original way (I least I thought so).
+Tes Sy Thanks for the rec!
Great video - hey, just wanted to recommend Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, Conn if you will be near there. It's a tradition in Connecticut!
+CASue1 Thank you! I'm pizza obsessed, so I'll keep that in mind.
I haven't read this book yet, but from what I understand Theo is kind of forced to live in Les Vegas. I wonder if the author wanted the reader to feel the same sense of confinement a child feels trapped in an abusive home? A world where days feel like months and you don't know when the torment will end.
I’m reading this now. It is too long. I’m reading it on Audible. Highly recommend as well. I read a St. Patrick’s book for children. This will be my next book though. I’m trying to get out tons of book reviews for 2020.
I've only just started it so please no spoilers people, but I'm really liking Mrs Barber so far. I'm hoping she doesn't disappoint me
Should i read the book first are wait and watched the move first.
read the book first because the movie leaves out a lot of the plot
Oof I just finished the Vegas section and its been my favorite part so far
I really enjoyed The Goldfinch as well, but the ending seemed to come out of left field for me. Did you not find that?
watch donna's interview
(NO SPOILER; PROMISE) Try to read again the last chapters. I loved them so much. The way all his state of mind, specially at the hotel in Amsterdam, his monologue to himself, his ideas, all those phrases which depict life, death, sorrow, love, LIFE again, I think that all the book was made just to make sense into those thoughts which are crude, beautiful, real, poetic. Try it again, just the last part, I am sure you will enjoy it now that time has passed.
That's good to hear. I also cannot read child narrators for the same reasons you had. Glad to hear Theo doesn't fall into those categories
+That's What She Read Yes, he definitely doesn't :)
You can read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens!! Great video!
+Dany Rodrigues - Reticências Literária (RL) Thanks for the rec!
I hope you read Penpal eventually
+Cascadian haha I'll add to my summer tbr!
the kite runner by Hosseini. i forget first name. but definitely check it out
awesome-sauce14 khalid
really great review. I think I'll pick it up
+Jim Karagkounis Thanks!
I tried so hard to read this and....COULD NOT DO IT LOL! I really did my best, and tried for months to make it happen. The pacing is SUCH a problem, and is really why I couldn't handle finishing it. This really could've benefitted from a really strong editor for that pacing lol. I guess I could try it again? Still on the fence now though after the review of the female characters lacking depth, especially from a female author. Hmm. Is there another book of hers that you recommend? It could be her book style just isn't my cup o' tea so to speak.
Imaginarium Arts - I don’t think I am going to get thru this one either, unfortunately...
I absolutely loved The Goldfinch, but The Secret History is even better and I think that you would really like it! :)
Hya. you should definitely check out "The Obsession" by Nora Roberts... I'm getting through it quickly - such an enjoyable read!! Not literary taxing like uni reads but still more interesting than shitty beach reads... xx
+IrishJenGx Thanks for letting me know!
Great read.
Great move doing an internship. When you go job hunting, you will have a great advantage. I picked up The Goldfinch at Goodwill for 3 dollars. Great review and PLEASE enjoy your downtime. Where did you get the pillow in on your bed- very pretty?
+Debra Luciew That's an awsome deal on the book! And I got it from The Wizarding Wold of Harry Potter, but I'm sure you can buy it on their website :)
Great review as always! The Las Vegas section made me nearly give up on this book, it was soooo long and depressingly boring. It actually ruined the book for me as when I think back to reading the book this section jumps into my brain, which is sad as I actually enjoyed the parts when he was at the shop a lot! I read it on holiday in 5 days and in retrospect I think it would have been more enjoyable to dip in and out of it. I agree what you said about female characters they didn't seem real to me at all.
+Rachel Tomlinson Yea I could see how reading it quickly might cause the Las Vegas section to seem even bigger in your mind.
I ended up not finishing it because of the Las Vegas section- would it be possible to read it with skipping some of it out??😂😂
This may e blasphemous for me to say, but...I think you would be fine skimming it. Read enough so that you have a good understanding of his relationship with Boris, read why Theo leaves, and you'll be fine 👌😏
Thank you!! Oh thank god that means I can try and finish it finally after trying for over a year😂🙌💪
Want recs? The Secret History by (not D. Tartt) Procopius.
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay.
+TimeAndChance Thank you!
The Secret History BY Donna Tartt was really good too. However, it is another lengthy one.
I think it’s important to note that we are seeing the women in this story through Theo. He is the lense and he has a very difficult and impossible time of forging intimate relationships with women since the death of his mother. He hold’s everyone at a distance because he is continually losing people through out the story. And so he is afraid of these relationships.
I think the women were written well, but Theo’s perspective just has some of that invisible privelege and a little homophobia. I felt it was from the character, though, not the author. The characters all had their imperfections.
Since so many have recommended The Secret History, I'll change it up a bit and recommend something different. The Passage by Justin Cronin is the first book in a post apocalyptic vampire series, to which the final installment is coming out next week. Beautifully written, heartfelt, with three-dimensional characters. I can't say enough about the series so far.
Beyond that, I recently picked up The Quiet Game by Greg Iles and was hooked. It's the first in a series of novels about a lawyer-turned-writer named Penn Cage who returns to his hometown after his wife dies only to hear of a race crime from decades before. The lawyer in him decides to pursue the case and whew! It's a good one. I don't typically go for those types of novels but I got hooked pretty good on that one. It's got three sequels so far, and a fourth on it's way.
Or you could always do what I'm doing now and read The Fireman by Joe Hill. Because you can't go wrong with Joe Hill.
+James Grose Thanks so much for the recommendations! I've read a couple of books by Joe Hill, but I hadn't heard of The Fireman, so I'll look into that.
Tried reading the book, didn't like it. The cover is good, but you can't judge a book by its cover.
Read "The Shadow of the Wind"! It's absolutely beautiful :)
+Irene Rauch I've heard a lot of good things about it!
Vegas section was so good, I mean Boris made the book so much better and all his appearances were like breath of fresh air but the women were really flat (not Kitsy I loved her)
The Ina head, I am dead lol
I haven't read this yet, but I loved The Secret History. Check it out!
+dontsleepread Thanks for the rec!
I'm making my way through all of the Pulitzer Prize novels, and this is on my TBR shelf for this year ... yikes!
Book recommendation: BLACK MOUNTAIN. But you never take me seriously, nor do you ever comment or reply to my comments ...
I came here after the trailer posted on Warner brothers CZcams channel.
literally sooo many people have told me "literally don't bother with this book, i'm serious, it's a waste of time" that I have lost my interest to read it...i bought it when it came out and now i'm like, should i bother? STILL on the fence despite this endorsement bc your concerns seem pretty consistent w what other people have said about it
I have been this person! When speaking to my friends :s I would say if you like coming of age dramas you would like it. If you like plot based books more (like myself) you may be disappointed. I actually think it would be better as an audiobook.
+jayweasley I agree with what Rachel said below. Just try out the first 20 pages or so and see if you like Theo as a narrator :)
+Rachel Tomlinson That's good advice!
I'm reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang. It's creepy as hell so I think you would enjoy it :)
You know my taste well because that's actually already on my list!
I'm really enjoying! If the ending is horrible though don't blame me I haven't got that far yet :p
Audio book is the way to go for this one. I may not have finished it otherwise.
+Amy Richey Agreed!
I read the first chapter and had to put it down. Far too bloated for my taste
Alike What do you mean by “bloated” , I wanna get it but don’t wanna waste my money
@@isabellatozier739 You can have my copy lol. I don't know. It just seemed overly drawn out in places from what I could tell.
Isabella Tozier Donna Tartt has quite a wordy writing style and has a tendency to digress from the events going on in the novel at that moment in order to flesh out certain ideas and opinions of her protagonist. If you enjoy very story-driven novels and fast-paced action versus character driven novels and a slower but highly descriptive flow of events, then Donna Tartt and the Goldfinch especially are not for you. As I’ve found out, it’s not for everyone. That being said, this book is absolutely my favorite novel I’ve ever read, and it comes with a glowing recommendation from me.
@@josephsherby same here, I was not expecting to admire, love, enjoy and keep this book in my thoughts as I did. Donna Tartt is simply a true genious. No book I have ever read left me with this sensation of putting words and phrases and ideas into concepts from life that are so marvelously knitted, expressed, a genious indeed.
With all due respect, I think you did not really understand the mastery of this book. All the long long elements add up into a perfect symphony that makes full sense at the end. The ideas, the analogies, the way Donna Tartt handles the language, comes up with these profound and yet small phrases can only be made by a genious. This book is most important because of the way it is written and the personal development of characters. And this book goes so much beyond a coming of age story. This book is a masterpiece on LIFE, DEATH, FRIENDSHIP, LOYALTY.
And, THEO's mother is SO SO strong, really, did you not perceive that? And the mother of his friend (forgot the name) who takes care of him is also a survivor in her own way. And the girl whom he falls in love with, was gentle, and so wise that she clearly understood her own situation and Theo's, also so strong and so far from any cliches. Really, there is so much to analyse and go deep into things. Thank you-.
I feel like this book drags out everything, im not sure im a fan
I loathed Boris! I wanted him to die every time he randomly popped up in the book. I also hated that Theo put so much work and effort into hiding the paining just to find out that he was really holding onto a concealed textbook.... I face palmed so hard....
+Ray Kline hahahah I liked Boris, but I could see how people might hate him
Snails pace of a book---where was the editor???????? This 700+ page book could very easily have been less than 200 pages. Way toooooooo descriptive. Thumbs down. Big time
good to know the book is more coming of age verses the plot line of the stolen art.
+iAmber Renee :) hope you check it out!
Dying at Contessa. ;) I used to be a huge fan of Ina Garten and even had an ex of mine get her autograph when she came and made a speech at Amazon here in Seattle. Great review, looking forward to time when I can settle down with this book.
+mementomori Hahaha I'm glad someone understood what that was ;)
I’m here because of the movie😅
I 100% know exactly what you mean with the JK Rowling comparison in how the writing style makes you feel.
I wanna read the book before watching the movie 😂
new all time favourite for me
Spoiler free > spoils all the plot 😅
Hahaha Ina Garten! Too funny
+MegsBookBabble ;D
Everyone I know loved this book. I completely and utterly hated it. The worst book I've ever plowed ahead and finished in spite of disliking it entirely.
Tartt gets worse and worse every single book she puts out, it's really depressing.
Interesting! What did you dislike about it?
Just so many things. I felt like it was trying to be intellectual and bourgeois but wasn't really either. Theo is soooo whiny and entitled. The women were all really badly done. It plodded along with no point for ages.
What really killed me though was his lifelong obsession with that girl just because they kissed once when they were 13. The writing about it was awful too. Cringey.
I really liked the last 20 pages, and I liked the Vegas part alright as young Boris was fun to read about... but that was about it for me.
Great review though, I've subbed!
No no no no. Don't try to do a book review if you haven't finished reading the book. Listening to the audio book is not the same.