Donna Tartt's third novel The Goldfinch has been long in coming and much anticipated, especially by fans of Tartt's 1992 blockbuster "The Secret History." The good news is that it was worth the wait. "The Goldfinch" tells the story of Theo, a young boy who comes into possession of a masterwork of art when his mother is killed in an explosion at the Metropolitan Museum. Much of the rest of Theo's life is about the care and consideration of this famous painting, and the many people – scrupulous and not – attracted to it. Tartt's narrative is lengthy (784 pages) but also eloquent, absorbing, and wise. You can read the Monitor's full review of "The Goldfinch" here.
