The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One thing I like as a bonus in a book is for it to tell me things I didn't know before, like what it's like to do another trade or skill. I got details of two lifestyles I hadn't known before. There is another author I like, who also does this: Tracy Chevalier. With her books I've seen details of painting, tapestries, quilting, underground railroad. With this book, I got details of the ugliness in antiques trade and the drug trade.

I also like a book to have at least a little closure; either positive or neutral. This book did that. I was so relieved.

The protagonist character of this book was well developed; another plus. And I found myself hoping for many things for him. I also keep thinking about various what-if scenarios, as a person might do with their own life choices.

But my favorite part was how it turned into a little bit of classic Russian literature, with various characters spouting philosophical. I like reading about the characters being representative of various point of view that the author may have been struggling with. I found it very thought provoking.

But I give it 4 our of 5 stars, I think, because through so much of it I was not happy about it but I kept reading because I was so curious about how *bad* the situation would get. I don't really like being a rubber-necker so much.

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