• The Goldfinch

  • By: Donna Tartt
  • Narrated by: David Pittu
  • Length: 32 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (832 ratings)

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The Goldfinch  By  cover art

The Goldfinch

By: Donna Tartt
Narrated by: David Pittu
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Editorial reviews

Thirteen-year-old Theo Decker is taken in by a wealthy family following an accident, but misses his mother terribly. Action & Adventure he grows up, all he has to remind him of her is a small, very beautiful painting which, while of enormous sentimental value to him, is also sought by all kinds of unsavoury characters. Donna Tartt’s third novel, The Goldfinch, is part thriller, part coming-of-age novel, all mystery. The audiobook is narrated by the theatrical actor David Pittu, handpicked by the author, and is available from Audible.

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize For Fiction 2014

Longlisted – Baileys Women’s Prize 2014

Audie Award Finalist, Literary Fiction, 2013

Aged 13, Theo Decker, son of a devoted mother and a reckless, largely absent father, survives an accident that otherwise tears his life apart. Alone and rudderless in New York, he is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. He is tormented by an unbearable longing for his mother, and down the years clings to one thing that reminds him of her: a small, strangely captivating painting that ultimately draws him into the criminal underworld.

As he grows up, Theo learns to glide between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love - and his talisman, the painting, places him at the centre of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.

The Goldfinch is a haunted odyssey through present-day America and a drama of enthralling power. Combining unforgettably vivid characters and thrilling suspense, it is a beautiful, addictive triumph - a sweeping story of loss and obsession, of survival and self-invention, of the deepest mysteries of love, identity and fate.

©2013 Tay Ltd (P)2013 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about The Goldfinch

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Thoroughly enjoyed

I really loved it from start to end. The characters were so interesting. The narrator was excellent and did the accents very well. He had good expression in his voice. I was listening in the car so it helped that he read quite slowly and with meaning.

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Awesome book, brilliant narration

Loved this book. Beautifully written, suspenseful, intellectually stimulating, profound. Narration was exquisite. Didn’t want it to end.

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Beautifully read and written

I will not describe this book as quite my type of book, but it was so beautifully read and written that I enjoyed every moment of this somewhat "scary" story.

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Fabulous narration.

The thread of the story, which is a painting, weaves through the life of its main character and his tragedies, adventures, and friendships. Beautiful in prose. Poignant, I didn't want it to end.

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Big book

Big book, I felt relieved when I finally finished reading. Donna Tart is surely good at giving details, surroundings, backgrounds, moods and etc. Tart has her own writing style, the book did remind me of another of her books- the secret history.

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Why I loved this book

It is as if Donna Tartt decided to write a beautiful art essay on the goldenfinch but decided to tell so much more. This story is soaked in art its disturbing, gutreching nauseating and extremely beautiful. Self destructive behavior on grand scale. a True portray of ptsd and the hush hush way society deals with it. Definitely one of my favorite books!

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Life changing

Honest, sensitive... characters that became so alive I feel as if I've known them for years. Brilliantly narrated.

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Unchosen Hearts, Beautiful Characters

Would you consider the audio edition of The Goldfinch to be better than the print version?

Yes, though this is only due to Pittu's magic. The book is beautiful, with some of the passages too fleeting when read aloud, gone. I want go back and reread, hold tight the beautiful melancholy, the cold irony, the tragic truths and the beautiful illusions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Goldfinch?

'the vivid characters' is what I remember reading on the back of the book. This sounds like a generic description, really, so I didn't expect something specific about this to stand out. And how absolutely bowled out I was by the 'vivid characters'! There is nothing generic about them, they are unique, broken, accepting their fate, fighting their fate, searching for their place in the world - they are colourful and absolutely brilliant!

What does David Pittu bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

David Pittu has raised narration to a new kind of art in my mind. I have never considered narration to be more than someone reading out loud, but David Pittu, his interpretations of the characters, has brought it to life in a way I could not have imagined! The many accents that he produces (Hispanic, Russian, German, smoker, old guy, lady - whatever the character needs, David Pittu produces) has been an absolute treat to listen to! My favourite was his imitation of Xandra (smokey voice, "with an 'X', not with a 'Z') - I could so clearly see this lady, her whole character, in my mind! I have only praise for David Pittu!

If you could rename The Goldfinch, what would you call it?

We Cannot Choose Our Heart

Any additional comments?

This has become my favourite book of all time, with the characters still walking around in my thoughts. I do wish to read the printed copy, as there were some beautiful passages, thought-provoking ideas, cold philosophies sinking deep into my heart, beautiful tragedies that are scattered all through the book.

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Simply Outstanding

This book contains all that a reader of fiction could ask for. It is beautifully written, with exquisite detail and keen observation throughout. At the same time, it is also a wonderfully satisfying story, with a carefully managed plot. Finally, the vocal performance of the reader is a marvel, with all characters clearly differentiated by accent and tone.

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gripping story,very well read,unexpected turns.

very sorry to finish it.will have to find a new read as good as this

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