The Goldfinch is a story about Theo Decker, who's mother loves the painting of a goldfinch by Carel Fabritius. And in a trip to the Art museum to see the painting. She is killed in a bombing, and, prompted by the ramblings of an elderly gentleman who is dying, Theo takes the painting.
I was intrigued by this first part of the book. The story was compelling and interesting. What would happen to Theo with his mother gone? His father had abandoned them and no one knew where he was. What would he do with the painting? And what about the ring the old man had asked him to deliver?
But even though the writing was excellent and some of the characters were interesting and fun to read. I had a hard time slogging through the rest of the book. I don't want to give any spoilers....but I will say that after the first part of the book the language of the characters deteriorate and Theo chooses to self medicate his PTSD. I did not enjoy reading about the drunken/high exploits of Theo and his friend Boris in Las Vegas after Theo's father finally fetches him from NYC.
I did like the resolution of the problem of the stolen painting which happens 12 years later. As a lover of mysteries and action books, there were several chapters that were exciting to read.
The very end, however, got wordy and philosophic. Not that I mind a little philosophy but I didn't really agree with the author's idea that good can come from evil and that maybe the bad things were the lead up to the good.
This would be a great book for a discussion: character motivations, symbolism, and plot ideas.
I'm still not sure what constitutes a Pulitzer Prize winning novel Maybe I need to read the rest of the contenders in this contest.
