The Goldfinch

[Anonymous]

I cannot believe this book was so highly recommended. For the first time DCUM readers have disappointed me.

The first part of the book was great and it had the potential to be a great novel. The main problem is its length; it's FAR too long. The story line is drawn out and downright boring for 75% of the nearly 800 pages. If anyone is struggling to get through it, I give you permission to quit reading. I forced myself to finish and I wish I would have just sat it down and moved on. I want the last month of reading time back!

*end rant*

If you loved it, can you tell me what exactly made it so great for you (if possible without spoilers for those still reading).

[Anonymous]

Have you read "The Rosie Project"? It's great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you read "The Rosie Project"? It's great.

I have not. I just read it to my reading list. I just started The Doll by Taylor Stevens. It's the third book in the Vanessa Munroe series. Book 1 - The Informationist, Book 2 - The Innocent. Both of the first two were great. If you liked the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo books, you should like these.

[Anonymous]

I also put down The Goldfinch because it was too long. I don't think my brain works as well as it used to after children.

[Anonymous]

I really liked it overall but agree that the end took way too long. I enjoy her style of writing though, so I enjoyed many parts where the plot wasn't moving along very quickly.

[Anonymous]

oh yeah -- that whole trip to Amsterdam I just skimmed through. BO-RING.

[Anonymous]

about 2/3 done with Goldfinch, and have not been bored yet.

[Anonymous]

Well, all the critics and many many people who loved it can't be wrong! It must just not be to your taste. I couldn't put it down.

[Anonymous]

This is precisely why I don't read. The disappointment of having wasted a few hours of your life on a meh book is just awful. So sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

I was going to start it tonight. Should I read The Invention of Wings instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was going to start it tonight. Should I read The Invention of Wings instead?

OP here - it might be more appealing to you. It did get good reviews, though I do see negative reviews starting to come in with similar comments about the length and drawn out story line. If you get a library loan it's worth a shot. I do not recommend buying it!

I haven't read the Invention of Wings, but it is less than half the length of Goldfinch.

[Anonymous]

I loved The Goldfinch! Probably the best book I read all year (2103). I will admit it did get weird during the Amsterdam times but I thought it was great.

Now, I'm reading The Interestings. Gawd, is it boring. I'm struggling to finish it. Anyone else like this one?

[Anonymous]

I just finished it last week and had the same reaction. I had to force myself to finish it. I thought I was the only one who didn't love it! I read a book or more a week, and this one was such a chore to get through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved The Goldfinch! Probably the best book I read all year (2103). I will admit it did get weird during the Amsterdam times but I thought it was great.

Now, I'm reading The Interestings. Gawd, is it boring. I'm struggling to finish it. Anyone else like this one?

+1 I'm totally with you on both books. I liked the way The Interestings started, but after the first 200 pages, the title just became ironic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is precisely why I don't read. The disappointment of having wasted a few hours of your life on a meh book is just awful. So sorry, OP.

And what about the hours where you read something really great and transporting? Or has that never happened to you? So sorry if that's the case.