The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna

Winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Donna Tartt's novel The Goldfinch enjoyed a meteoric rise since its debut in October 2013. The Goldfinch is Tartt's third novel after the very successful The Secret History (1992) and The Little Friend (2002) and enjoyed an initial printing of 75,000 copies by publisher Little, Brown, and Company.Frustratingly for fans of the author, it took Tartt almost 11 years to complete The Goldfinch, but it became one of the most anticipated books of 2013, and it quickly became a best seller. Interestingly, although most Pulitzer Prize winning novels only become best sellers after they win the illustrious award, The Goldfinch was the opposite—it enjoyed a great critical and audience reception long before it was nominated for the Pulitzer.In a common pattern for Tartt, The Goldfinch is a long book, finishing at over 700 pages. The simple dust jacket design features the image of a painting of a goldfinch peeking through ripped paper. Later editions of the book will surely update the dust jacket to indicate its win of the Pulitzer Prize.Tartt is a quiet and very private writer, so signed, first edition copies of The Goldfinch are rare and will only continue to skyrocket in value. Further, if Tartt continues to write and publish such excellent and well-received novels, the overall value of her entire repertoire of novels will rise as well. Since The Goldfinch is such a large and thus heavy book, collectors wishing to maintain the highest quality will want to be especially careful not to bend or place any undue pressure on the spine.

First Edition Identification

The first US edition was published by Little, Brown and Company, and states First Edition: October 2013 on the copyright page along with full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. Boards are white cloth with black lettering on front and spine. Dust jacket lacks any reviews.The UK first edition states "First published in Great Britain in 2013 by Little, Brown" and lacks any reference to reprints. Boards are black with silver lettering on the spine. Dust jacket has no reviews. The back of the dust jacket has a passage from the book - the main character describing his first encounter with the Goldfinch oil painting.The Goldfinch was first published in September 2013 as Het puttertje in Dutch by De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam. The U.S. and UK editions were released a month later. 

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

Powell's Bookstore in Portland Oregon sent subscribers of their "indiespensable' subscription book club a US First edition that was signed by the author and housed in a custom slipcase. 

Reviews

Review this book!

On Dec 12, 2018, Anonymous said

Award-winning American author, Donna Tartt begins her third novel with her twenty-seven-year-old protagonist, Theo Decker, in December, hiding out in an Amsterdam hotel room, reflecting on his life, while scanning newspapers for any available information about a recent murder. Over the next seven hundred plus pages, these in-depth reflections form a meticulously detailed account of the Theo's life, beginning with the circumstances, when he was just thirteen, of his mother's death, an event of which he says: "Things would have turned out better if she had lived." It was then that he acquired the eponymous Goldfinch, the single remaining painting by 17th century Dutch Master, Carel Fabritius.

The ride that Tartt takes the reader on starts with Theo a virtual orphan in pseudo-foster care, then in the care of his negligent father, consuming copious quantities of drugs and alcohol. When fifteen-year-old Theo looks in the mirror, he notes his resemblance to his (safe-to-say) despised father, Larry, and when Larry's girlfriend Xandra flings at him "You and your dad are a whole lot more alike than you might think. You're his kid, through and through", his denial is vehement. It becomes apparent from his later behaviour (drugs, alcohol, betrayal of good friends, criminal dishonesty) that she was indeed perceptive.

Readers familiar with Australian author Steve Toltz's epic debut novel, A Fraction of the Whole (2008) may notice similarities, both in the length (somewhat daunting), the careless parenting, the roller-coaster life, and the black humour (in lesser quantity), although Tartt's work is much less far-fetched. She certainly achieves a vivid portrayal of a thirteen-year-old boy's grief at the loss of his mother.

Tartt has a talent for character description: "I found myself blinking up in the late afternoon glare at a very tall, very very tanned, very thin man, of indeterminate age. He looked partly like a rodeo guy and partly like a fucked-up lounge entertainer. His gold-rimmed aviators were tinted purple at the top; he was wearing a white sports jacket over a red cowboy shirt with pearl snaps and black jeans, but the main thing I noticed was his hair: part toupee, part transplanted or sprayed-on, with a texture like fibreglass insulation and a dark brown color like shoe polish in the tin." A good literary read that would have benefited from some judicious editing.

On Dec 10, 2018, a reader said

Award-winning American author, Donna Tartt begins her third novel with her twenty-seven-year-old protagonist, Theo Decker, in December, hiding out in an Amsterdam hotel room, reflecting on his life, while scanning newspapers for any available information about a recent murder. Over the next seven hundred plus pages, these in-depth reflections form a meticulously detailed account of the Theo's life, beginning with the circumstances, when he was just thirteen, of his mother's death, an event of which he says: "Things would have turned out better if she had lived." It was then that he acquired the eponymous Goldfinch, the single remaining painting by 17th century Dutch Master, Carel Fabritius.

The ride that Tartt takes the reader on starts with Theo a virtual orphan in pseudo-foster care, then in the care of his negligent father, consuming copious quantities of drugs and alcohol. When fifteen-year-old Theo looks in the mirror, he notes his resemblance to his (safe-to-say) despised father, Larry, and when Larry's girlfriend Xandra flings at him "You and your dad are a whole lot more alike than you might think. You're his kid, through and through", his denial is vehement. It becomes apparent from his later behaviour (drugs, alcohol, betrayal of good friends, criminal dishonesty) that she was indeed perceptive.

Readers familiar with Australian author Steve Toltz's epic debut novel, A Fraction of the Whole (2008) may notice similarities, both in the length (somewhat daunting), the careless parenting, the roller-coaster life, and the black humour (in lesser quantity), although Tartt's work is much less far-fetched. She certainly achieves a vivid portrayal of a thirteen-year-old boy's grief at the loss of his mother.

Tartt has a talent for character description: "I found myself blinking up in the late afternoon glare at a very tall, very very tanned, very thin man, of indeterminate age. He looked partly like a rodeo guy and partly like a fucked-up lounge entertainer. His gold-rimmed aviators were tinted purple at the top; he was wearing a white sports jacket over a red cowboy shirt with pearl snaps and black jeans, but the main thing I noticed was his hair: part toupee, part transplanted or sprayed-on, with a texture like fibreglass insulation and a dark brown color like shoe polish in the tin." A good literary read that would have benefited from some judicious editing.

Available Copies

The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardback
ISBN 10
1408704943
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.28

Show Details

Description:
Hardback. Very Good.
Item Price
$1.28
The Goldfinch
More Photos

The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316055433
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Skyway, Washington, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$15.00

Show Details

Description:
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013. 1st printing with number line down to 1. Unmarked copy rubbeed at spine ends. 771pp. Unclipped jacket is rubbed at corners, with small scuffs, and a significant label removal scuff on rear panel over bar code. Offered now in a new mylar cover. First printing of this Pulitzer… Read more about this item
Item Price
$15.00
The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
1408704943
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.01

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Good.
Item Price
$1.01
The Goldfinch
More Photos

The Goldfinch

by TARTT, Donna

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1,500.00

Show Details

Description:
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First edition. Fine in a fine dustwrapper. Signed by the author on the titlepage. Laid in is a flyer advertising a signing event for this book, as well as a color photograph of Tartt at the event signing a book. Author's third novel, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. … Read more about this item
Item Price
$1,500.00
The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - Very good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
First UK edition-first printing
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1408704943
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$88.12

Show Details

Description:
Little, Brown, 2013. First UK edition-first printing. Hardcover. Very good/Good. VGC/GC plus.Little,Brown,2013.First UK edition-first printing.Black hardback(silver lettering to spine,small dent and light shelf wear on the edges of the cover) in VGC, with Dj(two watermarks/stains inside the edges of the Dj cover,small creases and nicks on the edges of the Dj cover),in GC plus.Illustrated with a colour plate.Nice… Read more about this item
Item Price
$88.12
The Goldfinch
More Photos

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
2013
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Toronto , Ontario, CAN
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$275.00

Show Details

Description:
Stated first edition with 10-1 number line. In very good condition, in a very good, first edition dust jacket with price intact on flap. Signed and inscribed by Donna Tartt on title page.
Item Price
$275.00
The Goldfinch (First UK edition-first printing)
More Photos

The Goldfinch (First UK edition-first printing)

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Near fine
Edition
First UK edition-first printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1408704943
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$100.89

Show Details

Description:
Little, Brown. First UK edition-first printing. Hardcover. Fine/Near fine. Fine/Near fine.Little,Brown,2013.First UK edition-first printing.Black hardback(silver lettering to spine,small nick on the edges of the cover) in fine condition, with Dj(small tear on the edges of the front Dj cover,two small creases and nicks on the edges of the Dj cover),in near fine condition.Illustrated with a colour plate.Nice and… Read more about this item
Item Price
$100.89
The Goldfinch (First Edition)
More Photos

The Goldfinch (First Edition)

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
1st Edition 1st Printing
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
St Albans, Hertfordshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$102.81

Show Details

Description:
London: Little, Brown, 2013. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 1st Printing. Very good copy.
Item Price
$102.81
No image available

The Goldfinch.

by Tartt, Donna.

Condition
As NEW in As NEW DJ
Edition
First UK edition, first printing
Published
2013
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$383.13

Show Details

Description:
London:: Little, Brown,, 2013. First UK edition, first printing. Cloth. As NEW in As NEW DJ. First edition, first printing, inscribed and signed by Donna Tartt on the title-page. Unread and pristine.
Item Price
$383.13
The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna:

Condition
Used
ISBN 10
1408704943
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Ramsgate, Kent, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$31.93

Show Details

Description:
-Little, Brown (2013)-. First edition first impression 2013. Cloth. Very good in dustjacket. Independent professional bookseller since 1982. With 40 years experience in my own bookshops and on-line. You may order with confidence. The Goldfinch Donna Tartt 9781408704943
Item Price
$31.93
The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Published
2013-10
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tomball, Texas, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$475.00

Show Details

Description:
First Edition; A Fine book in a Fine dust jacket, housed in a Fine slipcase, wrapped in the original shrinkwrap as issued. SIGNED by the author. This is the Powell's Indiespensable edition in it's unopened form. A beautiful presentation of this Pulitzer Prize winning novel, basis for the fine film starring Nicole Kidman, among others. Uncommon still in the original… Read more about this item
Item Price
$475.00
The Goldfinch
More Photos

The Goldfinch

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used
Published
2013
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Oxford, Mississippi, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$590.00

Show Details

Description:
Little, Brown & Co, 2013. Signed First Edition. Very fine in like DJ.
Item Price
$590.00
No image available

The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used; Good
Edition
0
Published
06/05/2014
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0349139636
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$4.46

Show Details

Description:
Abacus, 06/05/2014. Paperback. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Item Price
$4.46
The Goldfinch.

The Goldfinch.

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used
Published
2013
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$475.00

Show Details

Description:
New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013. First edition of the bestselling author's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Octavo, original publisher's cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "especially for John - on Halloween - Donna Tartt." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Keith Hayes. Jacket painting: The Goldfinch (1654) by Carel Fabritius. Author… Read more about this item
Item Price
$475.00
The Goldfinch: Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch: Donna Tartt

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0349139636
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.28

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
$1.28
The Goldfinch: A Novel
More Photos

The Goldfinch: A Novel

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - VG
Jacket Condition
VG
Edition
First Edition
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316055433
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Carrying Place, Ontario, CAN
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$20.00

Show Details

Description:
New York, New York, U.S.A.: Little, Brown and Company, 2013. First printing (complete number line). Light creasing from page handling and light soil to outer edges. Boards have soil marks. DJ has edge/rub wear, graze marks, a diamond shaped Chatelaine Club sticker on the front panel, a graze mark upper right of the front panel (caused by the removal of… Read more about this item
Item Price
$20.00
No image available

The Goldfinch: A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316055433
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$29.00

Show Details

Description:
Little, Brown and Company. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 0316055433 First edition, First printing. NOT inscribed, price clipped or otherwise marked. Number line starting with a "1". Dust jacket in a protective cover and securely wrapped and shipped in a box. First state dust jacket. F/F
Item Price
$29.00
The Goldfinch
More Photos

The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
Used - Cloth. Fine in fine unclipped dj
Edition
First edition, First state without Pulitzer Prize stamp on cover
Published
2013
Binding
771 pp. 1 vols. 8vo
Quantity Available
1
Seller
New York, New York, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$200.00

Show Details

Description:
New York: Little , Brown and Company, 2013. First edition, First state without Pulitzer Prize stamp on cover. 771 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Cloth. Fine in fine unclipped dj. First edition, First state without Pulitzer Prize stamp on cover. 771 pp. 1 vols. 8vo.
Item Price
$200.00
The Goldfinch : A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

The Goldfinch : A Novel (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction)

by Donna Tartt

Condition
Used - Acceptable
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316055433
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.36

Show Details

Description:
Little Brown & Company, 2013. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Former library book; Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.36
No image available

The Goldfinch

by Tartt, Donna

Condition
As New
Jacket Condition
As New
Edition
1st GB Edition
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1408704943
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Rotherfield, East Sussex, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$35.12

Show Details

Description:
London : Little, Brown, 2013. 1st GB Edition. Hardcover. As New/As New. large Octavo. Type: Book
Item Price
$35.12