A book about painting. Review on The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

The author mentions that the meaning of the painting differ from person to person. Similarly, the take-home message can vary person to person. According to my understanding, book is about imprisonment, limitation and interdependent of all human beings. The book is about a 13 year boy named Theodore; he is living in New-York city with his mother and alcoholic father. It seems like he does not have any proper conversation with his father and he doesn't really like him. One day, his father suddenly vanishes from New-York without telling his family.

Theo's mother takes him to the museum, in the museum while observing Goldfinch bird painting, he comes through a girl(Pippa), and instantly he falls in love at first sight. The girl is accompanied with her father who is somewhat older. After few successive events, museum is blown-up by terrorist bomb, in this bomb attach Theo loses his mother. The elderly person(Welty) who is seriously injured is above to die, before passing he tells Theo to give his ring and a message to Hobie. Theo escapes unhurt from the museum, steals the goldfinch painting.

Until, Theo gets another guardian, he stays in wealthy school friend's home, Andy Barbour. Andy stays with his parents and three sidling Platt, Kitsey and Toddy. After few days, he goes to Hobie's house to return the ring; he again meets Pippa. Theo had good conversation with Hobie, and he also learns that Pippa is supposed to move to Texas permanently. One day, his father reappears with another woman. His father is now earning decently and no more drink alcohol, convinces Theo to live with him in Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, he starts going to new school, were he engender tight friendship with Boris. Even in unknown world, Theo constantly misses his mother and lives in relentless fear as he keeps stolen painting with him all the time. In Las Vegas, he spends good time with his father; he comes to know that his father is not as a bad person as what he thought, however, one day his father died in a car accident. Theo again don't have anyone, so he decides to come back to New-York. In New-York, he stays with Hobie and works in his antique furniture shop. Afterward, he comes to know that Andy and his father die in a ship accident too. Platt takes Theo to meet his mother; Theo found that Andy's home is not that filthy rich anymore, he and Andy's sister Kitsey start dating. Boris Pop-up again in New-York, who is now very wealthy, he tells Theo that he steals his painting and he will return him soon. After Theo and Kitsey get engaged, Boris and Theo go to Amsterdam to get the painting back.

At the end of the story author explains the meaning of painting and philosophy of life. I personally believe that most of the individuals are chained-up, and whenever they try to fly fetter pull them back. There are certain secrets in our life, which will always restrict us from flying freely. Even in happiest moment, those secrets will limit us to enjoy without restrictions. Author successfully expresses the perspective of male characters in the book, even though author is female. Furthermore, she clearly describes life of American people, their culture and their problems. The ending conclusion of the book is certainly best part of the book.