The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

I made the mistake of starting this book right before I moved house, went on holiday AND started a new job so I ended up reading the first fifty pages, having a two-week break and then picking it back up and being absolutely hooked. After reading Donna Tartt's The Secret History, and loving it, I couldn't wait to read another Tartt novel - especially since the film recently came out and the hype surrounding this book has been widespread.

The novel begins in New York with the protagonist, thirteen year old Theo Decker, on a trip to a museum with his mother. In an instant, the museum is subject to a terror attack which kills Theo's mother and most of the people in the museum - leaving him alone in New York and forced to live in the care of others. But before he escaped the destroyed museum, he was instructed by another victim of the attack, who subsequently died, to hold on to a small but world-famous painting entitled 'The Goldfinch', as well as return a small personal item to a mysterious James Hobart. 

Theo suddenly finds himself completely isolated and lonely, but with a mission to carry out in New York, which opens doors to new people and opportunities. When Theo's estranged father reappears on the scene and tells him that they're moving away, Theo must begin life all over again in a different environment, but still with the secret of 'The Goldfinch' looming over him. 

This is an 800-page masterpiece - admittedly at times, the pace is a little slow, but on the whole the novel twists and turns in ways which keep you completely hooked throughout. The protagonist is simultaneously likeable, pitiable and highly frustrating, and you'll feel conflicted and exasperated whilst reading this. I can't imagine how this novel has been squeezed into a feature-length film of two and a half hours - there's so much content that it would easily create a few series of a TV programme. I'm reluctant to watch the film as I've read some terrible reviews, particularly from those who enjoyed the book. 

I didn't love The Goldfinch quite as much as The Secret History, but I think that one would be pretty difficult to top. Again, Tartt's writing still is accessible and gripping. Her storytelling is unique and you can never tell where the story is going to lead - if you're expecting a predictable narrative, you'll get the opposite. Her characters really jump off the page and you're somehow incredibly invested in them despite not being sure whether you even like them, which is pretty difficult to achieve. If you've not read any Donna Tartt, I urge you to pick up one of her books.