Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Notes from June 2014 group

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - Notes from June 4, 2014 discussion at Geneseo Library



Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.

As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love-and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.

Theo, the main character, was a complicated one.  We thought his lack of adult supervision while growing up greatly contributed to his drug /alcohol abuse, crimes, choice of friends, and personality.   Our group felt sorry for Theo due to his childhood situation.  The story was rich with interesting personalities and locations.  The reader was captivated by the plot.  It was  a long, detailed novel, but worth reading.  Our group enjoyed this book but was slightly disappointed at the ending.

 

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