skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Resting My Eyes after "The Goldfinch"

11 years ago

Whew! That was some tale! I haven't read her other books, but the author (Donna Tartt) must know a wide variety of people to create the characters to populate this story.

I'm late getting to it. I think it's finally dropped off the best seller list for fiction after months and months. Anyone else take this journey?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

chessey24
11 years ago
It's waiting for me at the library - there is still a list of people waiting to get a copy from the library. I was something like 165 when I got on the wait list.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
11 years ago
It's on my Kindle, waiting for me to open it. I get sidetracked so easily; the PBS Roosevelt series triggered an interest in re-reading a couple of my biographies of that family, for example.

But "The Goldfinch" is on my Kingle bookshelf!
Related Discussions
The rest of my Florida trip
Q
Comments (35)
Thanks for the pics Lisa. I am new here but not too new to gardening. I have a few bromeliads which I have kept for over 10 years now but most of these are, I'm sure, the very basic stuff compared to what you guys have. I live in Malaysia and as Atmccmn said bromeliads are not too popular here. There is no Micheal's or any of those places in Stephania's pics above. Stephania, Thanks for all your posts about Chatuchak. After a while I caved and made a visit to Bangkok last month. The plant market is incredible. So much to see although I did not see Cryp Lisa and also Cryp Dennis Cathcart. Can you tell where the nurseries referred to above are? I would really like those on my second trip to Bangkok. I love Cryps. I have about half a dozen of them, will learn to post photos soon. Thanks to all for inspiring.
...See More
so much for my objectivity...there's a sick goldfinch in my house
Q
Comments (8)
OH NO, please go over to the birdwatching forum and read my post about the flufed up birds. What you have there is salmenilla. I had two that I cought and brough in two days ago. They rooseted together through the night, then died the next day. You must take all your feeders down and wash them with a bleach solution. You know the drill I am sure. Clean under the feeders and any bird baths too.There has been a outbreak in our reigon. It is highly contageous and can be transmited to humans and domestic pets. There are several good links in the post over there. This is NOT one of those things that you want to let nature take it's course with. This affects birds in the finch family the most, including pine siskins. I know how badly you felt, I go through the same dilema myself and it was so sad to watch those little birdies die, I was going to take them to the rehabber to be put to sleep, there is nothing to cure it, I am glad they had each other in a warm place to die. So WARNING to anybody in this region, pleas please keep your feeders EXTRA CLEAN especially UNDER them , this is spread by fecies. I am so sorry dirtgirl. Lisa
...See More
Juncos vs goldfinches
Q
Comments (7)
I'm getting ready to put up 2 more seed feeders, one hanging from the underside of the deck as the nyjer feeder does, and one window mounted. Its a walkout basement situation. I'll be using black oil sunflower seeds in the hanging feeder (its the Brome Squirrel Buster Standard) and I haven't decided, either sunflower chips/hearts or more black oil sunflower seeds in the window-mounted feeder. Will the Juncos be drawn more to those feeders than to the nyjer? I could mount the window feeder lower on the window to be nearer ground level if it might attract them away from the nyjer feeder. There are at least a couple of them that want to feed at the feeder now. I don't know if they are always the SAME couple but never more than 2 on the tube. I wouldn't mind except they insist on driving the goldfinches away. The VAST majority of them are happy on the ground. There does seem to be plenty of seed for them there, I can see it through the window even in the grass. The juncos like to fly up to my window and perch on the edge of it and peer in. I don't know why but they do. So flying INTO the window shouldn't be an issue. I've actually never seen a bird fly into a window, except once at someone else's house where they had a giant picture window that was in direct line with a patio door. I'm pretty sure the bird thought it was flying towards the trees it could see in the backyard through both windows. Otherwise I've never had a bird fly into a window. It kind of freaked me out the first time I heard one land - I thought one had flown into the window after all, but there was nothing there by the time I looked. When I heard the scritching sound the next time, I looked around and there was a junco just perched on the lip of the window looking at me out of the side of his head. Every now and then one will pop up and perch there for a few seconds before flying off. I have NO idea why. They're perched on the lip of the upper half of the window, not on the sill. It's kind of strange, LOL!
...See More
Goldfinch / disease?
Q
Comments (1)
I am so sorry. I know that helpless feeling all to well. I hope you dont have a Salmonella outbreak starting. Watch for birds that look "puffed up" and hang out on the bird bath kinda "bobing" also residue on the beaks. When they can no longer fly to a safe place to roost they will find somewhere like up against a house to die. The first outbreak I had was bad, I found 30+ birds (out of a flock of aprox 200). I took a couple sick birds to a rehabber and also 6 bodies that she sent to UofM for testing. We tried antibiotic therapy but it did not work. The sad truth there is nothing you can do to save them. Keep everything as clean as you can, it is spread through their droppings. Some will say take down your feeders but I feel they will just go to the next persons feeder that may not be as clean and also spread it to birds that do not usually come to my feeders. Last year I lost only about 6 (that I found) and it seemed to run it's course very quickly. I have year round Gold Finches but also get a very large flock that winters here, I usually get it when the weather turns very cold. I do not see it every year (thank God). I have not decided wether it is best for the bird to let nature take it's course and let it die in it's natural surroundings (usually freezing first) or to bring it in where it is warm dark and quiet. So yes, rake up the seed, bleach the feeders, keep the bath clean, do what you can but know that if it is Salmonella it just has to run it's course, the strong will survive.
...See More
sushipup1
11 years ago
I'm waiting for it, too. You would probably love "The Secret History", one of the few books I've read twice. The third book didn't get the same reviews as the other two.

This post was edited by sushipup on Sat, Sep 20, 14 at 13:45
stacey_mb
11 years ago
The goldfinch was one of many books that I started but didn't continue reading. It just didn't "click" with me, but it's obviously popular with many, having won the Pulitzer Prize. A book that I recently purchased - The luminaries - won the Man Booker Prize but is not highly thought of by general readers. I'm considering whether I should give it a try even though I might be wasting valuable reading time, or just pretend it's not sitting on my shelf!
leel
11 years ago
I read it and couldn't figure out why it had won the prize. It was a lot of noise signifying nothing.
alisande
11 years ago
Did you like it, Chisue? I can't tell from your post.

(I haven't read it.)
Georgysmom
11 years ago
I was going to order it but a friend of mine (whose opinion I respect) said she didn't like it so I passed. I'm still wondering why Gone Girl continues to be on the best seller list. LOL
maxmom96
11 years ago
I read The Little Friend (her first) some years ago and didn't care for it. Then when The Goldfinch came out it got such raves I read it and liked it, and a friend told me I'd like Secret History, which was supposed to be quite good. Got it and read it. Goldfinch and History both have great plots as far as I'm concerned and I did like both, but somehow I couldn't equate the drug-laced scenes to the plot. Maybe I'm not as astute a reader as I think I am.
pam_25f
11 years ago
I have started Goldfinch 3 times and it just never encouraged me to stay with it. I thought there was something wrong with me!
chisue
Original Author
11 years ago
It's 'wordy' for sure, and the preface had me wondering how much I could care for the wasted-sounding protagonist. I'm glad I persisted, but think the author probably lost some readers with exhaustive description.

There's tragedy, sorrow, heartbreak, and disturbed families. There's little happiness. I didn't know people could survive the drug and alcohol abuse described, although several of the major offenders had the sweetest souls. I always enjoy not being able to predict twists of plot, and there are 'revelations' throughout. I think the author wants to steep the reader in this murky tea before proposing a rational 'why'.

New York society is illustrated as quite unchanged since "Catcher in the Rye". The protagonist is attending a private school in the city and is 13 when the story begins -- as flashback after a gloomy preface.

The story IS the painting.
alisande
11 years ago
Thank you for the review, Chisue. It doesn't sound like something I would enjoy.

Reding the comments above about rejecting popular books, I'm thinking of Life of Pi. Many of my friends loved it, but I gave up on it very quickly.
Shelgal
11 years ago
I agree with Stacey, Leel and Pam. I read it several months ago, and found the plot was filled with many unlikely situations, unbelievable characters, etc. Too many convenient coo incidents, too. Very contrived, and way too long.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: How to Care for American Goldfinches

By Habitat Network

The American goldfinch is a bright-in-the-summer visitor and one of the only vegetarian songbirds. Here's how to give them a healthy habitat

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Green-Only Gardens Draw the Eye and Soothe the Spirit

Use plant and foliage variety to create a monochromatic landscape as visually pleasing as it is calming

BEDROOMS Rest Easy: Myth Busting for Bedding and Mattresses

By Tiffany Carboni

We put to bed some of the misconceptions that may be keeping you from a good night's sleep

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Contrasts Catch the Eye in a Beachy Family Room

By Becky Harris

Rough jute and soft shag, eye-popping turquoise amid neutrals ... this room’s pairings make each element stand out

MOST POPULAR 102 Eye-Popping Powder Rooms

By Bryan Anthony

Flip through our collection of beautiful powder rooms on Houzz and fill your eyes with color and style

KITCHEN DESIGN Eye-Catching Colors for Your Kitchen Floor

By Jennifer Ott Design

Revitalize a tired wooden floor with a paint or stain in an unexpected color

LIVING ROOMS Design Dose: 3 Living Rooms That Caught Our Eye This Week

By Mitchell Parker

We wanted to learn more about these living rooms — bright, bold and rustic — uploaded in the past 7 days

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Butterfly Gardening: Delight the Eyes With Living Sculptures

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Surprise and thrill with a garden that attracts magical winged creatures, bringing color, movement and life

LAUNDRY ROOMS New This Week: 3 Eye-Catching Laundry Rooms

By Mitchell Parker

Just because you have high-tech appliances doesn’t mean your laundry room has to look like something from outer space

STORAGE Watch an Innovative Bookcase Convert Before Your Eyes

By Mitchell Parker

Judge the problem-solving ability of these rotating shelves for yourself, but we think it’s an open-and-shut case

Sponsored

Inspired Closets Columbus

Innovative & Creative Custom Closet Designer Servicing Franklin County

More Discussions

Grocery store games, burger meat for $3,99

38

Pizza art and science

11

I'll show you mine/you show me yours - M 8/24/26

19

Hose spigot/bibb recs

4

Personality Type

8