The Goldfinch is a beatifully written story of a terribly unlucky and considerably self-centered white boy. Which means he was very much insufferable, but that was the point. 

This book explores grief, trauma and bad decisions, and how a child without proper support grows into a selfish adult. It really plays with your emotions, guiding you from feeling sorry for Theo's bad hand in life to infuriated by his choices. 

I did think that some sections were too slow, I have to admit. Even if those events mirrored the character falling into routine and general apathy towards life, it was a temptation to skip ahead and get things moving. There was also a few coincidences too many that really took me out at times. 

I get how such an unlikable main character and narrator unsettles some readers, but I particularly love Donna Tartt's gift to creating a full cast of realistically flawed people. It feels rich and unique, even in their unpleasantness.