Well this was a fun and well-deserved takedown! I read The Goldfinch when it first came out--before all the hype--and I enjoyed it, although I thought The Little Friend was much better. But then it started showing up on everyone’s best-of lists and winning awards, and I was confused. To me the best parts of the book are Boris (terrific character) and Tartt’s depiction of addiction. But so much of it doesn’t hang together, especially, as you note, how Theo doesn’t return the painting. Call a lawyer, dude! He’ll help you return the painting without getting into trouble!
Agree with you on NY books. Went to school in Chicago and novels set there better. Bellow gets a lot of criticism these days but he's worth it.
I was on a jury when Goldfinch book came out and I had same reaction. Others loved it, but they weren't readers who knew the 19th c. novels. In the middle of the review you talk about Thomas Hardy and hard to remember he was among the people who created the novel. I'm with you on 19th c. I re-read most of the Russians during COVID and then realizing Dostoyevsky leaned on Dickens-- re-read many by him. Have to remember these were novels that were serials. And don't worry you --can read Zola forever. Or as I have maybe recommended before-- Anthony Powell's 12 v. Dance to the Music of Time.
The best review of this book IMO is on Goodreads, by "Peggy", channeling Boris, which begins:
"I, Boris, character in this book will give you honest opinion. Very honest. If you are reading this, asking yourself, should I read this book which is 771 pages? Very heavy, not that The Idiot was not 656 pages, so not length I am afraid of. If you are wondering, should I read? I answer for you already and say no! I am one of best things in book, at least not all the time moody, gloomy and so stupid I do not not even look in package. Even though I am very important character I must tell you, not worth your time to read this. (Okay to read beginning, some middle, end) but if was me, better to be having a pop than all the time reading about depressed guy who wastes so many good drugs. Bad things happen. All the time bad things. Does not mean cannot enjoy life. Does not mean should make many people spend very much money on depressing book. Not to say is not masterpiece to some people but why spend money on this misery. Cannot all own masterpiece. Potter think he is only one lose mother. In book we none of us have mother. Does not take 771 pages to figure this out. I would maybe read this if just 400 pages, as long as there would not be such long stretches without me. Potter needs me all the time. Not good without me. His one girl, Pippa, is smart not to let him make her into mother. If I was my good friend Theodore Decker and could not enjoy life at all I would do better job at killing self. ... "
This book needed some spite. Reading it, I was reminded of a certain kind of Oscar movie: top-notch craftsmanship in service of something that's ultimately pretty empty.
I really like 19th Century novels. The development of the novel and the development of industrial society converged into a sweet spot.
I got a degree in English a long time ago, so I understand how to read critically, and it took me a while to shake that off and start taking in literature the same way I take in music (where I've spent more of my life immersed).
The things that critics complain about are usually things I don't care about.
I skimmed this review and think I'd probably like the book.
I read and respect your takes (and even those of the commenters so far)
Well this was a fun and well-deserved takedown! I read The Goldfinch when it first came out--before all the hype--and I enjoyed it, although I thought The Little Friend was much better. But then it started showing up on everyone’s best-of lists and winning awards, and I was confused. To me the best parts of the book are Boris (terrific character) and Tartt’s depiction of addiction. But so much of it doesn’t hang together, especially, as you note, how Theo doesn’t return the painting. Call a lawyer, dude! He’ll help you return the painting without getting into trouble!
Right?! He could have even just hung it on some rich person's wall and pretended like he'd never seen it before. Or dropped it in the furniture shop.
Or literally anything.
Agree with you on NY books. Went to school in Chicago and novels set there better. Bellow gets a lot of criticism these days but he's worth it.
I was on a jury when Goldfinch book came out and I had same reaction. Others loved it, but they weren't readers who knew the 19th c. novels. In the middle of the review you talk about Thomas Hardy and hard to remember he was among the people who created the novel. I'm with you on 19th c. I re-read most of the Russians during COVID and then realizing Dostoyevsky leaned on Dickens-- re-read many by him. Have to remember these were novels that were serials. And don't worry you --can read Zola forever. Or as I have maybe recommended before-- Anthony Powell's 12 v. Dance to the Music of Time.
This goes well with my belief that most editors, critics, and even writers have never read a book published before 1980.
The best review of this book IMO is on Goodreads, by "Peggy", channeling Boris, which begins:
"I, Boris, character in this book will give you honest opinion. Very honest. If you are reading this, asking yourself, should I read this book which is 771 pages? Very heavy, not that The Idiot was not 656 pages, so not length I am afraid of. If you are wondering, should I read? I answer for you already and say no! I am one of best things in book, at least not all the time moody, gloomy and so stupid I do not not even look in package. Even though I am very important character I must tell you, not worth your time to read this. (Okay to read beginning, some middle, end) but if was me, better to be having a pop than all the time reading about depressed guy who wastes so many good drugs. Bad things happen. All the time bad things. Does not mean cannot enjoy life. Does not mean should make many people spend very much money on depressing book. Not to say is not masterpiece to some people but why spend money on this misery. Cannot all own masterpiece. Potter think he is only one lose mother. In book we none of us have mother. Does not take 771 pages to figure this out. I would maybe read this if just 400 pages, as long as there would not be such long stretches without me. Potter needs me all the time. Not good without me. His one girl, Pippa, is smart not to let him make her into mother. If I was my good friend Theodore Decker and could not enjoy life at all I would do better job at killing self. ... "
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/835520331?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1
That's amazing
This book needed some spite. Reading it, I was reminded of a certain kind of Oscar movie: top-notch craftsmanship in service of something that's ultimately pretty empty.
I like that description so much I wish I had thought of it
Some thoughts.
My literary aesthetic is pure hedonism.
I really like 19th Century novels. The development of the novel and the development of industrial society converged into a sweet spot.
I got a degree in English a long time ago, so I understand how to read critically, and it took me a while to shake that off and start taking in literature the same way I take in music (where I've spent more of my life immersed).
The things that critics complain about are usually things I don't care about.
I skimmed this review and think I'd probably like the book.
I read and respect your takes (and even those of the commenters so far)
So there. 😉