The Goldfinch by Donna Tart. If you follow books at all, you know it was all over the "Best of" Lists in 2013. Intimidating in size (nearly 800 pages) and slow to really take off, this book immediately reminded me of something Dickens would have written had he been alive today.
The Goldfinch follows the life of Theo Decker at age 13, when his life really begins to take shape. The tragedy of his mother's unexpected death propels the plot along through a weaving path that takes the reader along for the ride. Art figures prominently into the story as both a place and a character. The title of the book itself, borrowed from and inspired by the 350+ year old painting by Carel Fabritius.
A book full of tragedy (orphaned children, unrequited love), mystery (stolen artwork), antique dealings (after reading this book you will have an ametuer understanding of all things antique furnishings), childhood (how parents imprint on their children) and friendships (and how they affect the course of our lives). From an abstract standpoint, the novel also brings up themes of art and beauty and how it leaves an impression on the individual, right and wrong and the moral gray area and the tragedies of life and how we allow them to direct the paths we take in life.
A well-written novel that pays off in the end, if you can get past the drawn-out beginning and the somewhat intimidating length of the book.
"To try to make some meaning out of all this seems unbelievably quaint. Maybe I only see a pattern because I've been starring too long. But then again, to paraphrase Boris, maybe I see a pattern because it's there."
