Book Club: The Goldfinch.

[spaz]

Ok, so I need to find a paper version.. Thanks.

It's not porn or anything like that but has adult themes.

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[WolfpackWife]

Obviously it's up to you but FWIW I'd hardly think a 12 year old would be interested in it if they got to reading...it's pretty dense and slow, but in a good way. Just not in a way that I think would appeal to a 12 year old.

[WolfpackWife]

Which characters are you the most fond of, so far? at 24% in, I'm surprised to have not found a truly unlikeable or shifty character as of yet (though a pair of them just showed up...I'm cautious about what this may mean). And also Margaret. I am finding Theo to be sweet, genuine, and wholly likeable, though his predicament breaks my heart and he is so obviously yearning for for his loss. He is so endearing to me. I even like the Barbours who are welcoming to him, if in a more formal and slightly cold way (especially the Mrs.). After the heartbreaking event in the beginning, I keep thinking Theo will run into disappointment and abandonment with the adults he's still got in his life but currently, he seems to have somewhat of support system and that makes me happy for him.

[MrsK]

I adore Hobie and Andy and Mrs Barbour. Xandra and the doormen and even the old man are written so well that they practically come off the page and walk around my living room. They are all so varied and complete that it is hard not to know them or to even like or dislike them entirely. I do think that Theo is sort of precocious. But then

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[MrsK]

Then I have to keep reminding myself that the narration is written by Theo as an adult. She signals that from time to time and it always surprises me.

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[WolfpackWife]

True, MrsK - I forget about that, too. I love Hobie as well. The writing is so great I am using the highlight function on my Kindle for the first time. On Theo's second visit to Hobart and Blackwell, Tartt describes Hobie as having a "bedraggled aspect of an elegant yet mistreated polar bear" and I just loved that and thought it was such a great way to describe him, especially after the initial description of him on their first meeting makes it so easy to picture him as that elegant and wounded polar bear.

[MrsK]

Wait until you meet Bruno. It's really amazing how complete even the most minor nameless characters are.

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[Cleave]

This thread is killing and exciting me. I'm number 122 on the wait list at my library for this book...I think that means I'll be reading it in 2015.

[KlynK]

I am NOT fond of Xandra and his dad. I'm not feeling them and don't feel like any good will come from the pair. I also am not a huge fan of Boris and his father. I mean, it's nice that Theo has a friend but I'm not sure Boris is going to be the best person for a friend in the long run. I kind of hope I'm wrong but I don't know. So far, my favorites are Hobie and Pippa and I hope they show up more as the story goes along.


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[WolfpackWife]

Shall we have a check in? For me, Theo has been in NV for ~year and Boris has just me the love of his life. I find myself being so distraught by the sad and despondent turn Theo's life has taken, as we are clearly watching his descend into substance abuse and lack of concern for his future. I have to admit, I think Boris' character is so lively and complex. I am glad that Theo has him, even though that pairing seems to be strained with the new-found girlfriend entering the picture. On Theo's behalf, I find myself mourning his lost life in NYC where he had a clean home and a loving parent and complex surroundings. Everything about his life in Nevada seems so bleak and sad.

This book has fully grasped me and I find myself wishing for the weekends and evenings so I can keep reading.

What are your thoughts?

[MrsK]

I'm a little ahead of you, almost half way through. So, I don't want to share any spoilers. I will say, however, I think it will become darker before the dawn. As for the NV segment of the book. . . . I do find the trajectory Theo has taken to be distressing. During his time in NY, he was portrayed as so earnest and innocent, an orphan who needs to be protected. Without going into detail, I suspect that is not completely accurate and that there were some darker aspects of Theo's NY life that are glossed over. This is likely related to the narration: Theo as an adult may not be the most reliable autobiographer. He's apt to present his life as "before" and "after" and often suggests that he's a passive observer while his actions suggest that he is much more assertive than he suggests.

Boris is an interesting counterpoint to Andy, both contemporaries and best friends to Theo highlighting different aspects of his personality. They are a stark before and after contract. I see a lot of other mirror images too: Larry/Hobie, Mom/Xandra, Pippa/Kotku, NY/NV. While each of the characters and settings are presented with extreme detail and fullness, they may not be presented entirely accurately; things are rarely as black and white as they seem.

[WolfpackWife]

All great points, MrsK - I too thought about how those points mirrored one another.

Edited for spoilers!

[Vanquisher]

I'm not very far in. He's just made it out of the museum explosion. I assume that's what happened anyway.

[MrsK]

No spoilers please.

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[BonBon]

I'm not reading any posts yet. Still waiting for my copy to arrive!

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