I loved The Goldfinch. It was one of my favorite books of the year, along with Orphan Master's Son. I loved that the descriptions in The Goldfinch were so rich. I just finished reading On Such A Full Sea, which has a sparer, more modern descriptive style, which feels cold to me compared to a book like The Goldfinch. All the reviewers said that Donna Tartt had a Dickensian style in The Goldfinch, so because I enjoyed it so much I went and read Great Expectation. I haven't read Dickens since 7th grade. I could see the similarities in the richness of description, and the mix of realistic and fabulous plotlines.

I was really excited to read The Interestings, and I like the beginning, but I felt like she just gave up 2/3 and the ending was nothing. As a middle aged woman myself, it seemed like it should have some emotional resonance for me, but it just felt hollow.

Liked Goldfinch, thought Tartt has a very intriguing style, thought the last quarter of the book went off the rails a little

Loved the Interestings, really thought it was thought provoking about issues of friendships and relationships, envy, etc...

I need something new to pick up now, not sure about Invention of Wingd

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?

And I liked both!

For those who are complaining about the length, hink of it as several books in one.

Anonymous wrote:Do you think a DCUM book club would work? I have gotten great recommendations here and wonder if it'd spur me to read more. I'm in a real person book club that I love, but we don't actually read books anymore.

OP here. I'd love a book club.

I will say I did enjoy all of the parts that featured Theo's mother. I wanted more of her, Pippa and Mrs.
Barbour. I could have done without the Lucious Reeves story line. I like the relationship with Boris but many parts of his story could use editing.

LOVED the Goldfinch! I wish it was 1000 pages! Dona Tartt is a brilliant writer!

Anonymous wrote:Lame joke for a lame thread. If you feel compelled to vent over a book, then well, you know the rest.

Lame thread? Skip over it! I vent/discuss/review nearly book I read. People have made careers out of reviews!