The goldfinch is a novel by the american author donna tartt. Book club discussion questions for the goldfinch by donna tartt 1. Browders character or perspective changes in any way throughout the course of the events described in the book. Discussion topics the topics presented here offer a starting point for a book club discussion. After a terrorist bomb explodes in an art museum, the young narrator of donna tartts new novel, the goldfinch, becomes the protector of a 17thcentury painting. The 25 best quotes from the goldfinch broke by books. It helped me beyond words, both in facilitating a meaningful discussion and for getting a great deal more out of the book myself. Donna tartt has said that the goldfinch painting was the guiding spirit of the book. When tragedy at a museum steals theodore deckers mother from him, he clings to her memory in the form of a small and beautiful depiction of a goldfinch locked in place and time within an invaluable painting. It is a beautiful, stayupallnight and tellallyourfriends triumph. Author tartt has noted that the purposeful destruction of the giant sandstone buddhas of bamiyan valley afghanistan in march of 2001 inspired her to begin her novel with an. Theos mother was obsessed with the goldfinch painting.
One of my favorite things about this book club experience is seeing. Designed to make your reading experience more rewarding and enjoyable, this study guide encompasses a. If you are an avid reader, the goldfinch is the kind of book that you only come across a few times that leaves a lasting impression on you. Its beautiful prose is densely layered and overflowing with richly developed characters. Published in 20, it was tartts first novel since the little friend in 2002 the novel is a comingofage tale told in the first person. Due to unusual circumstances id taken nearly two months to finish the goldfinch. The protagonist, yearold theodore decker, survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum where his mother is killed. Whator what alldoes the painting represent in the novel. As much as i wanted to finish the book i did not want to bid farewell to these characters. Suggested book and reading club discussion questions for red notice. Read the 25 best quotes from the goldfinch, donna tartts pultizerwinning novel, before the film adaptation.
Coincidentally, fabrituss painting the goldfinch came to new york city and opened at the frick on the same day tartts book was released. The goldfinch donna tartt book club guide refinery29. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Theos life revolves around physical objects, but is also dictated by the tragedy of chance. Donna tartt, the goldfinch edith wharton, the house of mirth. The new york times february book club pick litlovers guide to killers of the flower moon david granns official website pbs newshour interview with author david grann. Book club discussion questions for the goldfinch by. Or perhaps focus on readers reactions and let your conversation delve.
For an evening each month, holmans book club meets at a different members home for dinner and a discussion. This book also prompted an interesting discussion of the pulitzer prize and whether it means anything at all as a mark of a book s quality or that book s representation of american literature. Thanks for joining us for this months final book club discussion, where were hashing over the last three chapters of donna tartts the goldfinch and talking about feelings all of the. In this comprehensive book club companion, kathryn cope guides readers through donna tartts pulitzer prizewinning novel, the goldfinch. I have two cardinal rules in selecting the best book club books. Frankly i am not sure i would have continued on had the goldfinch not been a donna tartt book, knowing shed spring a sudden surprise on me toward the end. The goldfinch is a haunted odyssey through presentday america and a drama of enthralling power. Recommended to book clubs by 11 of 17 members winner of the pulitzer prize the goldfinch is a rarity that comes along perhaps half a dozen times per decade, a smartly written literary novel that connects with the heart as well as the minddonna tartt has delivered an extraordinary work of fiction. The goldfinch 2 the nightingale 1 the ocean at the end of the lane 1. Wait, is this for real, did someone from one of the largest publishing houses actually contact me and my book cl. Did you enjoy the goldfinch and would you recommend this book to your friends. Right before we got down and dirty into our discussion, we took the following quiz to win the goldfinch prize of the night. Follow along with refinery29s book club as we read and discuss the. The goldfinch is a brilliant story with memorable characters and most of the book is incredibly well done and fun to read.
On that note, ive provided book club questions and a delicious recipe for the goldfinch below for your meeting. It gives us an easy excuse to have dinner at the home of a friend as well as chance. Please put your thoughts on the goldfinch book club questions in the comments area below 1. Check out tips, advice, and all the ways the library can help support your group. Donna tartts the goldfinch, an epic tale of loss, love, and the power of art. Please put your thoughts on the goldfinch book club questions in the comments area below. The goldfinch is a novel of shocking narrative energy and power. You can play along and feel free to use this quiz in your own book club discussion. Dan, hanna, and meghan love donna tartts big, big novel. Book club resources and questions to get you started and keep your discussion going. Many comparisons have been made between this book and great expectations.
Book discussions online resources and questions for your book club to connect your groups lives, interests and personal experiences to books you discuss, sunday, november 11, 2018. Oct 14, 2014 our book club has been looking forward to reading the goldfinch for the past four months let me explain why. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. I know that sounds like i just lifted that from the book jacket, but honestly its true. Many comparisons have been made between this book and great expectations and other dickens books do you see the similarities. A comprehensive guide to tartts contemporary classic, this discussion aid. It won the 2014 pulitzer prize for fiction, among other honors.
Do you believe that the book fairly and accurately represents the facts. Any page references refer to a usa edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions. This entire time, theo has smuggled, hidden, and coveted the goldfinch. Our book club just finished reading and discussing our latest treasure, the goldfinch, by donna tartt. Book club discussion questions for the goldfinch by donna tartt. Ultimately, is he more a product of manufacture or of fate. The goldfinch book club discussion questions arlenes. The characters in this book are so vividly portrayed it is quite possible you will never forget them. A guide for book clubs the reading room book group notes. The goldfinch book club discussion questions arlenes book club. Combining unforgettably vivid characters and thrilling suspense, it is a beautiful, addictive triumph a sweeping story of loss and obsession, of survival and selfinvention, of the deepest mysteries of love, identity and fate. For theo, who is unsure of what to do with the painting or even how to return it, the artwork becomes a touchstone to his mother and a source of comfort, as well as an everpresent conundrum.
I had chosen this book for our book club so had to lead the discussion. The next 20% is just like the previous 75% theo making bad decisions and being a bystander to real stories. I have been a part of one or more book clubs for over 20 years, and i have learned a few things about what makes a book club successful and how to get your book club talking. She took her time to create authentic and complex characters that bring the books primary theme of loss to life. Please come and be part of the discussion even if you havent finished the book. Tartt begins the goldfinch with what should have been a classic hitchcock trick, but thanks to the blurb which reveals it in advance never even had a chance. The living room was decorated with several objects mentioned in the book to go along with the quote mentioned above. It combines unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and breathtaking suspense, while plumbing with a philosophers calm the deepest mysteries of love, identity, and art. I read the goldfinch before, not as part of this abm book club, but since i always read this blog regularly i hope its ok that i am adding a comment. The goldfinch has been on my reading list for quite a while. The goldfinch cliffsnotes study guides book summaries. Since reading is something many caregivers can engage in but going to local book clubs can be difficult. In the first section, the narrator, theo decker, is holed up in an amsterdam hotel, looking at newspapers written in dutch, which. It was wonderful to find such an insightful summary and group questions.
The goldfinch by donna tartt book club discussion questions. Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of vintage. I literally and i can not stand that word could not put this book down. Generally, i like to read or at least be informed about pulitzer prize winners and usually they are good picks for book club discussions. If youre just joining us, weve tackled the first 200orso pages of donna tartts the goldfinch, an epic tale of loss, love, and the power of art. Theo decker the main protagonist and narrator is a year old boy who is visiting. The final 5% of the book then beats you over the head with lessons that you should have learned if you were as smart as the author. Many comparisons have been made between this book and great expectations and other dickens books do you see. David copperfield famously says in the first line of dickenss book. The goldfinch by donna tartt donna tartt is a writer who takes her time shes published just one novel per decade since her debut in. A dramatic event happens about twothirds of the way in that upends the very foundations that the story is built on. Consider the topics presented in the book discussion guides for people of the book and the girl you left behind and weave an artful discussion around the timelessness of art. Since i was leading my book club discussion on the goldfinch, i was thrilled and grateful to come across this.
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