The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Pete and I both read this book, winner of the Pulitzer Prize book award in 2014. I started to read it before we left on our trip but didn't get into it, too busy with other things going on I guess. I am glad I tried again.

I found this book intense! It took me a while to get through, I had to take a breaks from time to time. I could not stand to read Theo's life unravel as a result of bad decisions and family tragedy. I kept thinking no Theo, no don't do it, but he would. I was so relieved when Hobie came on the scene, I loved him, everyone deserves to be rescued at times in their lives and for me Hobie was that person. Theo's second chance to do things differently.  Hobie held hope for me.

The ending was beautiful ... I read it three times. The author brought everything together so beautifully ... I was deeply moved, unsettled and emotionally exhausted at the end and I haven't picked up a book since, even though I loved Donna Tartt's writing so much I ordered another one of her books on Kindle, I am not sure I have the stamina to read it. Maybe when we get to Jakarta. The Goldfinch is not for the fainthearted ... there are some pretty gruesome moments and the language is hard to read at times, but I was so far in by that stage I didn't want to put it down.

There are some books that are worth having on your bookshelf and The Goldfinch is that kind of book for me. It is beautifully written, hard to read, but worth hanging in there to reach an emotionally stirring ending.