The Golfinch, Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch

By Donna Tartt

(Tansley Reads Rating: 40%)

 

Icebreaker

 

Is there a piece of art that is significant to you? In what way do you feel connected to it?

 

Questions

 

1.  If Theo’s mother was at the apartment pacing the floor, waiting for him when he arrived home, how might the story have unfolded?

 

2.  We are going to try something new this month.  We are going to go around the circle, as we do, please tell us something that struck you about this book, and then we will discuss this as a group.

 

Questions if prompting needed:

 

3.  Are there any characters in this book you view as “normal”? (wholesome, honourable, honest) Who? And why?

 

4.  How is it possible for Theo to go through life without having any adults who actually take responsibility for him?  Is this reasonable? How could it happen?

 

5.  Donna Tartt has said that the Goldfinch painting was the “guiding spirit” of the book.  How so—what do you think she meant?  What—or what all—does the painting represent in the novel?

 

6.  What do you think the future holds for Theo?