The Goldfinch

[AnonYonimousBird]

I couldn't resist. June is too long to wait for the paperback. This should not be read on a Kindle, so....




.....my copy arrives tomorrow.

[BaconAndAvocado]

Lucky you!

One for the Xmas list.

Let us know what it's like

[FakeAngel]

Sooo excited to read this. It's currently £8 on WHSmith so I'm asking DD for it for Christmas. If I can wait that long to read it!

[lottieandmia]

I'm reading this now on my Kindle - what do you all think of it?

[lookatmycameltoe]

I'm 3/4 in and loving it!

[skibeck32]

It's the Radio4 Book at Bedtime, although tonight is the last episode. It's been on for the past three weeks so not sure what will be left on i-player. It's been great to listen to, can't wait to find out the ending!

[Minifingers]

I'm listening to this as an unabridged audio book from audible.

It's fab.

I'm completely addicted to audiobooks. I manage nearly 2 novels a week this way as I listen while I do housework/drive/shop/walk the dog. The only problem is the cost....

[Minifingers]

Wanted to add, I found the chapter describing the death of the protagonists mother and the immediate aftermath really emotionally gruelling and distressing.

[lookatmycameltoe]

I'm also listening to the unabridged audiobook from Audible. I adore audiobooks. I spend far too much money on there...

[lottieandmia]

Audible looks fab but I don't have an iPhone.

[threestars]

I'm on the last few pages now. I've loved it. I usually hate reading hardbacks, especially massive ones like this, but the story and the writing style overrode it. I'm sure this is a book I'll be rereading too.
The descriptions of the lead character's emotions are absorbing and have left me thinking about them throughout the day when I'm doing other stuff.

[lookatmycameltoe]

I've finished it and loved. Oh, Donna Tartt you very talented and accomplished writer you! Utter poetry, all 800 pages or so.

[Mignonette]

I bought it for £8 from WHSmith too. I like reading the Guardian and Times book review supplements but I have noticed that they are increasingly full of spoilers with no warning. The 'Goldfinch' reviews were so incredibly detailed regarding the plot that there appears to be little left to discover other than the pleasure of the words.

I wish I hadn't read them and I have decided to not read reviews of the books i intend to buy regardless of what the critics say. I rarely allow critics to influence my decision to buy anyway-rather I use them to guide me to books that would otherwise to not be on my radar.

I am enjoying the book and won't spoil it for anybody who has not started it yet. The language, imagery is rich and satisfying as always- I preferred 'The Little Friend' to 'The Secret History' which I know is not the usual preference.

[lottieandmia]

She really is a wonderful writer. Reading this one has made me realise that I don't enjoy anyone's work as much as hers. I think it's a shame she has only written 3 books - I wonder if the next one will take another 10 years??

[Welshwabbit]

I finished it this morning and loved it (although for me, it still doesn't quite live up to The Secret History - but then The Secret History is one of my top 5 Desert Island books). I will definitely be reading it again. Beautifully written; great plot (I didn't find it lagged over the 771 pages) and fantastic characters. I particularly liked Mrs Barbour. I think it will be re-read - which is just as well as I shelled out for the hardback.

[LittleBairn]

Without giving anything away, whats it about?

So excited to find out she has released a new book The little friend was a disappointment but The secret history was so fantastic I will read any book of hers because it might just be on par with it.

[lottieandmia]

LittleBairn - I think the general consensus from those who reviewed it is that this is better than TLF. I liked both her previous books but TSH is my favourite too and probably my favourite book ever.

[LittleBairn]

Thanks Lottie can't wait to read it.

[Welshwabbit]

LittleBairn, it is sort of about a painting and other beautiful things, and also sort of a coming-of-age story, but neither of those descriptions tells anything like the whole story. I'd just get it and read it because all the reviews contain spoilers and (for me at least) it's one of those books you get hooked on from the start, and want to keep reading until you finish it.

[LittleBairn]

weksh yes will avoid reviews I've heard they spoil it because it's impossible to discuss the plot without ruining it.

[Minifingers]

I'm going to finish it this morning while walking the dog (listening to it as an audio book).

I'll be very, very sad to finish it.

There's a bit I was listening to in bed last night - a long, long passage describing Theo's state of mind, in the Amsterdam section, that has gone straight to my soul. I feel absolutely pierced by it.

I'm also in lust with Boris. Dirty, dirty man!

[Minifingers]

Finished!

Have been in tears because I didn't want it to end.

I know that's really wet. but it's always nice to feel like you've had your money's worth from a book

[lottieandmia]

I am worried what I will read when I come to the end!

One thing I would say though was that I feel Richard Papen from TSH and Theo are similar in that they both have this sense of being abandoned by their families and that really comes across. The flavour is similar and differs very much from The Little Friend where you have this dysfunctional yet close knit family.

[AmyTanFan]

I bought it for £8.00 from WH Smith, too. Finished it last week. Loved it. Loved Boris, loved Theo, loved Pippa. Never read The Secret History so I'm saving it for the Christmas holidays.

[LCHammer]

I finished it last week. I loved the beautiful writing but thought the plot a bit too much and it could have been shorter.

[kerala]

Dh got me the hardback for my birthday. Had only read one review in guadian which was negative so nearly returned it. Thankfully I didn't as is brilliant think reviewing journo jealous!