• The Goldfinch

  • By: Donna Tartt
  • Narrated by: David Pittu
  • Length: 32 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (833 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Goldfinch  By  cover art

The Goldfinch

By: Donna Tartt
Narrated by: David Pittu
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.15

Buy for $18.15

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    474
  • 4 Stars
    236
  • 3 Stars
    85
  • 2 Stars
    22
  • 1 Stars
    16
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    540
  • 4 Stars
    139
  • 3 Stars
    36
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    392
  • 4 Stars
    226
  • 3 Stars
    68
  • 2 Stars
    28
  • 1 Stars
    20

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well… it’s brilliant

I’ve ready the book when it came out in 2013.
And fell in love.
About 2 weeks ago I decide to listen to it, and it was just as great. Nostalgic even.
It took me a few minutes to get used to how every character sounded, as I, obviously, imagined them differently in my head. And as I’m sure, any one else did. But once you get used to it, the narration is splendid, spot-on and in some parts down right perfect.
Boris is the best character in fiction that I’ve read in a very long time.
Highly recommended. Not to be missed, actually.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

This book is not for me.

Would you try another book from Donna Tartt and/or David Pittu?

No for Donna Tartt and yes for David Pittu. He is a great narrator.

Would you ever listen to anything by Donna Tartt again?

No

Which character – as performed by David Pittu – was your favorite?

The Russian

Do you think The Goldfinch needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, The Story could have been told with half the words. There was way too much description (poetry does it better) and the characters aren't that interesting.

Any additional comments?

Donna Tartt has an audience and some people clearly love the book but it didn't engage me. I lost interest in the story and the characters. That doesn't mean it is poorly written. There is gold in the ore but you have to work to find it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Boring!

I don't understand all the hype. Good start, but second half is ubearable to listen to. Narration is superb, but story lacks... everything I would say.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely a great book

Great narrator and a perfect story. I'm even a little sad I finished the book. Probably will read it again someday.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What Story What A reader

Best read (or listen) to date. Highly recommended.
Couldn't put this one down. The reader is brilliant.
Will definitely look forward more by this pair.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

gripping story,very well read,unexpected turns.

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best final chapter ever written

The end is superb. Just amazing. The rest of the story is not at that level but still a very interesting study on art, beauty and fate. Narrator just espectacular

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!