First, let me get one thing out of the way: under no circumstances do I subscribe to literary snobbery. I love books, films and TV shows and have never seen any reason why these enjoyments have to be mutually exclusive. 

However, there is always an element of apprehension when a treasured book is being adapted for film. I always wonder if the directors fear us book nerds, poised at our keyboards ready to tweet them into remorse if they don’t do our beloved characters justice!

When it comes to the film adaptation of Donna Tartt’s novel The Goldfinch, fortunately, these misgivings proved unfounded. Instead, I will be recommending both the book and film as if I’m on commission!

“A great sorrow, and one that I am only beginning to understand: we don’t get to choose our own hearts”

Book Synopsis:

Donna Tartt's masterpiece The Goldfinch follows the story of Theodore Decker. Aside from his recently-gone-AWOL father, Theo is a relatively normal New York schoolboy. That is until his life is irrevocably shattered at the age of thirteen when he loses his mother in a museum terrorist attack.

As a cast of wayward characters makes their way into and out of Theo's life, he clings to the art his mother loved as a way of maintaining a connection with her. However, this remnant of stability will also be shaken when the art he treasures so much draws Theo into a spiral of criminal activity.

“And in the midst of our dying, as we rise from the organic and sink back ignominiously into the organic, it is a glory and a privilege to love what Death doesn’t touch.”

Casting:

The absolute stand-out element of the film for me was the incredible casting. Ansel Elgort is a fantastic choice to play Theo, as is Nicole Kidman for the role of Mrs Barbour. Special mention must also be given to Aneurin Barnard, who pulls off the formidable task of trying to portray Theo’s friend Boris, beloved of so many imaginations and my own favourite character!

Plot:

Considering that The Goldfinch is a tome of 800 pages, it was inevitable that some serious tightening was going to be needed for the film adaptation. Nevertheless, I didn’t feel any sense of absence as all the best bits of the plot were captured fully. 

The book’s emotional power is retained (I was a snivelling mess by the time the end credits rolled!) as well as the humour that balances it.

“is it better to throw yourself head first and laughing into the holy rage calling your name?”

Setting:

All of Tartt’s diverse settings are brought to life throughout the film. I thought the luxurious, somewhat stifling Barbour’s apartment was especially well imagined, as well as the desolate Las Vegas house where Theo goes to live with his gambling addict Dad.

Conclusion:

Reading The Goldfinch is 100% worth the effort even though it’s very long so can be off-putting. At the same time, the book is so engrossing and epic in its ambition that it doesn’t feel drawn out in the slightest. If you plan on reading the book at any point, I would suggest saving the film until afterwards to avoid spoilers that may make the plot less gripping.

“What if our badness and mistakes are the very thing that set our fate and bring us round to good? What if, for some of us, we can’t get there any other way?”

However, if you don’t have time to invest in the 800-page novel, I can highly recommend the film! No previous knowledge of the story is required; my Mum and Dad loved it just as much as I did without having read the book. It is a brilliant adaptation that condenses the most beautiful aspects of Tartt’s story.

In any format. The Goldfinch is a joyful, moving, epic story in that you won’t want to miss out on!

Written by Florence Edwards