Books to read if you like The Goldfinch (Image credit: Instagram)
If you enjoyed The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt with its detailed storytelling, well-developed characters, and themes of art and trauma, you may want to check out similar books. Here are eight recommendations with gripping stories, complex characters, and deep themes that fans of The Goldfinch will enjoy.
1. The Secret History of Donna Tartt
The Secret History is another of Donna Tartt’s masterpieces, exploring themes of obsession, morality, and the influence of academic life. Set at a prestigious college, the novel concerns a group of students whose involvement in a murder changes their lives forever. Like The Goldfinch, it combines dark psychological depth with rich prose and a complex plot.
2. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
A Little Life is a poignant and harrowing novel that follows the lives of four friends in New York City, focusing on one character’s traumatic past. Its emotional depth and exploration of pain, friendship, and survival resonate with the themes of loss and recovery explored in The Goldfinch.
3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus is a fantasy novel that, like The Goldfinch, offers a magical, immersive world. The story revolves around a mysterious circus that appears without warning and is the stage for a high-stakes magical competition. Morgenstern’s lyrical writing style and vivid imagery will appeal to fans of Tartt’s rich descriptive style.
4. In My Heaven by Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones tells the story of a young girl who watches over her family from beyond the grave after they are murdered. The novel explores themes of grief, healing, and the effects of trauma on loved ones, mirroring the emotional and psychological depth of The Goldfinch.
5. The masterpiece of Emile Zola
Delving into the life of a struggling artist in Paris, The Masterpiece offers a historical and psychological perspective on the challenges of the art world. Like The Goldfinch, it explores the intense relationship between art and artist, focusing on personal and professional issues.
6. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Big Little Lies is a gripping read that intertwines the lives of several women in a small town, revealing secrets and lies that lead to a dramatic climax. The novel’s focus on personal secrets, complex relationships, and its engaging narrative style will appeal to fans of The Goldfinch.
7. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
The Light We Lost is a moving love story that spans years and continents, exploring themes of loss, love, and the choices that shape our lives. Its emotional depth and character-driven narrative have a similar impact to The Goldfinch, focusing on how life’s events shape personal growth.
8. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
The Art of Racing in the Rain is told from the perspective of a dog named Enzo, who reflects on the life of his owner, a racing driver. The novel’s exploration of love, loss and resilience from Enzo’s perspective offers a unique narrative style and emotional richness, similar to The Goldfinch.
