Why did nobody tell me about Donna Tartt ?

I really liked Secret History but there was something about Little Friend that really stayed with me - certain scenes that for a long time afterwards I could visualise as though I'd watched them on screen. Amazingly vivid descriptions of the oppresive heat.

I've got a sample of The Goldfinch to read ... just need to set aside some time!

I am reading Goldfinch and listening at the same time - completely different experience each of mediums.

I agree that the descriptions of Las Vegas are amazing.

I need to read her other two books

The Goldfinch took 10 years to write...

Agree Secret History was brilliant but gave up on Little Friend (rare for me) I am enjoying The GoldFinch especially as I got it for 99p on Kindle. I am a retired librarian and staunch supporter of local service but when a book is this long... Am recovering from a knee op. so a good chance to finish it Apparently the painting is on display in a newly restored gallery in The Hague (no, I didn't know it was 'real' either)

I loved The Goldfinch though I agree that it flagged a bit towards the end. I'm going to order Secret History as I haven't read it yet.

I actually saw The Goldfinch picture, on the News on Friday. The art gallery in The Hague, which houses it, reopened last week. They also have The Girl With The Pearl Earring. They both looked amazing on TV so goodness knows how wonderful, they are in real life.

It's funny because I really struggled with the goldfinch, loved the first third, then didn't really enjoy the next bit but enjoyed the end; but I keep finding myself thinking about it.

It was so so vivid, I find some scenes come into my mind quite often, it's so unusual for a book to stay with me like that!

I was just thinking - why haven't I discovered her writing sooner? Bought The Goldfinch on a whim and am devouring it! First time since having my DD 7 months ago that I am truly engrossed in a novel. Looking forward to reading her other stuff, though judging by previous posts hope I am not disappointed.

Absolutely!!

I wish I could take the credit for thinking of it BaconAndAvocado but was only responding to LittleWoollyPervert's post above.
He would have been excellent though, all that florid bonhomie covering up the anguish within.

How bizarre 7days I've always thought PS Hoffman would have made an excellent Bunny!

Something tells me none of Tartt's books will be adapted to film. Think she would find that tacky!

I keep meaning to try The Secret History. The only one of hers that I've read is The Little Friend and it put me right off her. I couldn't believe the ending, it just stopped dead. I honestly thought that my book was misprinted and the last bit had been left off. A week or so after I had finished it I saw a woman on the tube finish it, and she did exactly what I had done. She made a face and flicked back and forward through the end pages trying to find an ending.

I too reread the secret history annually!

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Bunny would have worked about 25 years ago and before he died but iswym!

I always wanted The Secret History to be made into a film but was worried they'd fuck it up.

Oh, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Bunny - perfect

I kept closing The Little Friend and looking at the cover going Really? For about 5 years every time I went into my local wonderful second hand bookshop there was another copy of it on the shelf, and never The Secret History.

Realised I'd posted a bit of a spoiler so reported me own post , sorry about that! (Wasn't a huge one but it's such a good book I wouldn't like to spoil any of it for anyone)

I've not read any of her books and I'm just about to finish one. Will get both The Secret History and The Goldfinch.

I tried The Little Friend first and couldn't even get halfway through it, but I thought I'd give The Goldfinch a go. Absolutely loved it! Theo is just such a completely real character, it's so well written. Wonderful!
Read The Secret History a couple of weeks ago, and that is also marvellous, though it didn't have the same emotional pull as The Goldfinch for me.

Ooohhhh the Secret History and the Goldfinch......

Both marvellous, marvellous books.

The Secret History is extremely marvellous.

The Goldfinch is an exquisite masterpiece.

The Secret History is my favourite book of all time. I've read it so many times and each time find some new angle or something I didn't quite pick up on before.

The Goldfinch is a lovely book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I also enjoyed The Little Friend. The latter isn't generally as well-liked but I enjoyed its understatement.

I buy The Secret History for teens going off to university. I read it at 17, and pretty much every year since. Truly my favourite book.

I have The Goldfinch to read and will cry if it is as dull as The Little Friend.

I loved the first third of The Goldfinch, loved it but by the end I was really struggling.
Quite liked The Secret History but again failed to see what people raved about.

I finished The Goldfinch a month or so, and I still keep thinking about Theo.

I haven't read her other two and definitely want to, but I think I need to read some fluff before I can commit myself like that again!

Oh Philip Seymour Hoffman as Bunny - that is inspired.

I see Camilla as a young Helena Bonham Carter.

I was given The Goldfinch for Christmas, I think, and STILL haven't read it. I must get my act together - the size just makes it daunting. But The Secret History is brilliant, and I loved the Little Friend as well.

Ooooooh just bought it in Tesco. Was on a deal and I also got Linwood Barclay who is super speedy to whizz through but very samey. Shall do goldfinch first.