Okay, I'm giving this book 5 stars even though I really feel like 4 1/2, just because Donna Tarrt is an excellent writer and I'm just gonna go ahead a let it officially read 5 stars. But why do I really think she only deserves 4 1/2? Well, the book kind of drags on a bit in some parts (could have easily been 50 pages shorter IMHO without losing anything). Not that her writing isn't gorgeous and poetic at all times because it is, only, well, sometimes less is better. Reading about someone's every little thought and reaction gets tiresome after a while. Especially when the character is just spinning his wheels, indecisive, fretting. Also some of the things that happen later in the book seem just a tad bit implausible... What do I know though? I think stealing art works would be the stupidest crime to commit. I mean what the hell do you DO with it??? Even so Tarrt manages to build up a whole world in this novel, believable, heart breaking, peopled by characters that will both charm you and exasperate and repulse you. Her world will draw you in and never be far from your thoughts even when you must leave her world and tend to your own. (sigh)

Oh yeah!

Donna Tarrt can write! She has a real gift for describing her characters, warts and all, completely understanding their motivations, longings, psychological quirks, a gift for plot lines that proceed in unexpected ways, her attention to detail and descriptions, as I said, poetic and dreamy. Her previous novel The Little Friend is much maligned here on goodreads and I just don't get it. That is one perfect book! Did we read the same book? Sometimes things don't resolve nicely. That's life. The Goldfinch resolves and the ending is tied up in a bow though, you can't miss it, so most people should be happy about that.

A worthy read. I highly recommend it.