Donna Tartt’s writing is beautiful and evocative and she seems knowledgeable in a myriad of subjects. If you love New York (as I do), her descriptions of Manhattan will take you right there. You’ll learn about Rembrandt & his students – most notably the artist who painted The Goldfinch (who, interestingly, existed) & whose fate is shared tragic comedy style with his painting. You’ll also learn about drugs (both illegal & prescription), alcohol & their dependencies, antique furniture & the painstaking steps in their restoration… you get the drift.
About 80% through, the ball falls for me. Everything was hollow & there's only so much that good writing can save. The protagonist seemed the most self-absorbed character I had come across in a long time. Although his childhood friend was previously an engaging & favourite character, his antics become increasingly implausible. Leaving me cold.
Even so, I kept willing for a rebound. There must be a reason for all the rave reviews it has received. I get it, it’s a Bildungsroman. But like the bird in The Goldfinch, he is forever chained to a single point in time. Life is hard, we all know that. But we get through & experience joy from outside ourselves. This seems impossible for the protagonist & in the final pages, he finally addresses us, the reader. A little too late though.
80% in was also the turning point at which I just wished for the end to come quickly. And now that I’ve come to the end, I can only say, it should have come sooner.
And this is The Goldfinch painted by Carel Fabritius, the painting that features prominently in the start & end of the book, just very cursorily in between.
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