It's been 11 years, but finally, Donna Tartt has released her third novel, The Goldfinch and it has already been selected as one of the best 10 books of 2013. What a comeback. The book, which was out for sale in October 2013, and finally, it's been released in paperback!
‘a triumph... Donna Tartt has delivered an extraordinary work of fiction.’ Stephen King
‘an astonishing achievement.’ The Guardian
Synopsis:
Aged thirteen, Theo Decker, son of a devoted mother and a reckless, largely absent father, survives an accident that otherwise tears his life apart. Alone and rudderless in New York, he is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. He is tormented by an unbearable longing for his mother, and down the years clings to the thing that most reminds him of her: a small, strangely captivating painting that ultimately draws him into the criminal underworld. As he grows up, Theo learns to glide between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love - and his talisman, the painting, places him at the centre of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.
It has already been selected by Amazon as 2013's Best Book of the Year, was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction (2014), which was eventually won by Eimear McBride for her book A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing, but Tartt won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2014). Tartt was the bookies favourite to win the Bailey's Women's Prize for Fiction (2014) and it came as a huge shock when it went to someone else.
Donna Tartt's other books were The Secret History (1992) and The Little Friend (2002), with The Goldfinch (2013) being her third novel. Based on the time between her book releases, and the amount of awards each has been nominated for and won, she clearly puts in a large amount of time and effort in her work, and it shows. She also has some short stories and non-fiction books under her belt.
Based on all of the information, this book sounds like it will be something special and is a must read. There is one question in particular that needs answering: How is a Goldfinch relevant to this story? The cover is simple but the Goldfinch on it is beautiful and striking. Is this the painting that is referred to and draws him into a different life? There's only one way to find out ...
Let us know in the comments below!