The Goldfinch -throwing in the towel

[BlueLaceAgate]

I'm at the engagement party, and I just can't go on. Wish Boris would drag me away....

Usually I persist with books, but I feel I've persisted enough. There's some beautiful writing, but it just goes on too much. So I skim read to the end and now I'm going to rummage through my books and find something else. I had a horrible year last year and comfort-bought books, so there's plenty to choose from.

I feel I've been defeated by The Goldfinch, but in the end, life's too short. It had turned into a chore.

Interesting how many people got about three quarters through before giving up. Just run put of steam.

*out

First third great, second third ok, last third zzzzzz.

I liked the Secret History and picked up The Little Friend in a second hand bookshop today. But it has the tiniest writing I've seen outside a Dickens book. I think I'm going to have to download onto my Kindle. My eyes are too old!

See, I just started The Goldfinch, and then Kindle had a sale, so I bought another 4 books, including Apple Tree Yard. which I read a sample of and it's gripped me! Dammit.

Just started this - it's my book club read. I gave up on the last one (Light Years by James Salter, dreadful book) so really feel I need to finish this one - wish me luck!

I was disappointed. It had moments of brilliance but it needed a really good pruning.

I bought the audio copy and kept it clamped to my ears on my commute and doing housework etc. it seemed like an ordeal at the time though I did finish. Off to the Mauritshuis in a couple of weeks to see the real painting!

I've only just started but I've lost all enthusiasm now. Thanks for the warning.

Ha, was also just about to Start this thread,im giving up. However just finished'we were liars', really enjoyed that.