The Goldfinch (novel)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Goldfinch (2013) is a novel by Donna Tartt.
The plot is described thus: "“A young boy in New York City, Theo Decker, miraculously survives an accident that takes the life of his mother. Alone and determined to avoid being taken in by the city as an orphan, Theo scrambles between nights in friends’ apartments and on the city streets,” Amazon’s description reads. “He becomes entranced by the one thing that reminds him of his mother: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that soon draws Theo into the art underworld. Composed with the skills of a master, The Goldfinch is a haunted odyssey through present-day America. It is a story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the enormous power of art”
The Dutch translation of The Goldfinch, Het puttertje, was published a full month before the English edition, to glowing reviews. Daily newspaper de Volkskrant printed a five star review and called it 'a Bildungsroman written in a beautiful and often scintilating style. (...) A rich novel and an impressive reflection on sadness and solace. And about the crucial, timeless role of art therein.' Another Dutch newspaper, Het Parool sums it up as a 'beautiful, exciting novel, filled with fascinating characters'.
The Belgian weekly magazine HUMO called it the book of the year and the news website NU.nl praised Tartt as a 'writing magician who is generous with detours, reflections and characters.'
