Donna Tartt discusses The Goldfinch | Waterstones

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In an exclusive Waterstones event at the end of 2013, Donna Tartt spoke to Kirsty Wark and a sell-out audience about her latest novel, The Goldfinch.
You can Reserve & Collect The Goldfinch from your local Waterstones bookshop (bit.ly/GZsCUJ), buy it online at Waterstones.com (bit.ly/GZsCEc) or download it in ePub format (bit.ly/GZsFjh)

[@shethewriter]

The Goldfinch makes you feel like a new person when you read it, can’t explain. Loving it even more on a reread

[@bruadarach9758]

Finished it last night. Know exactly what you mean.

[@fadesblue]

just finished it.......wow

[@HomeAtLast501]

@Troy Müller It's so nice to hear a contrary voice in a sea of reflexive genuflectors.

[@mid-sizesedan488]

Troy Müller you should try reading your comment with a exaggerated British accent.

[@vincentcoleman1038]

Liam McFarland b

[@tillysnow9046]

I love how she wears suits

[@whoayuice6634]

She always does

[@hilarychandler3621]

bespoke.

[@classycrock]

SAME

[@Fadilanse]

I like that she is so well dressed like her characters

[@gplunk]

Perhaps she is; in fact, one of her own characters....

[@willlexie]

Donna Tartt is a writer who lives reclusively on countryside, wrote only 3 books but already made cult following, dressed like her characters, talked even more like her characters and she’s a genius. I want to grow old as fine as Donna Tartt. She’s the real dark academia deity.

[@mgb5170]

Donna Tare is not old

[@emmasims8608]

@@mgb5170she’s 60, which isn’t exactly young. and this person was saying that she’s aged well. it’s a compliment. and it’s true, she has aged well.

[@fireicexox]

See? You can be different than everybody else, a loner, introverted and still brilliant, stylish and fascinating. I wish we would stop insisting that everybody look and act like everybody else, including when it comes to children.

[@tiffytattoo2450]

"Still"? Almost every great personality, every creative, genius head in history is a loner, an introvert and probably because of that: brilliant. Larger than life ideas, art, writing grow mostly in the dark, in private, sitting at desks after midnight, going on walks, doing "loner-stuff". I'd rather seem waiting for an extrovert to be as important as introverted authors, artists, thinker...

[@soumyayadav1725]

I didn't knew that i needed a seperate talk where Tartt would just talk about Dickens in detail and she is not interrupted.

[@simplystas]

watching her 1992 interview followed by this, i’ve realised that even though this is over 20 years later, she’s still got that same youthful gleam in her eyes and bright voice as back then.

[@emilyfitzgibbon6470]

Donna Tartt is full of such glorious imagery. I LOVE HER WRITING. Thank You Donna for it all.

[@26yevamena]

Too much imagery.

[@sarahumlaut]

Donna is so wonderful and odd and never really seems to know how to answer questions I love her

[@mariam2964]

I think it's more stopping to consider whether she wants to reveal that much about herself. Writers like their privacy.

[@robertbaird7486]

The Secret History is such a necessarily beautiful novel. I've read it 6 times. Donna has such a way with words and grammar. I even loved the Little Friend. They should make it into film

[@lindaklase3821]

DONNA TARTT IS A GENIUS. AN ARTISTE EXTRAORDINAIRE.

[@SeanPFarley]

Donna Tartt is elemental in my world of reading and writing. The Secret History changed my life. The Little Friend enhanced it. The Golfinch solidified it. Tartt is simply wonderful. I can't wait for book #4.

[@SelmaBaitiche]

She is so beautiful 💕 elegant and sophisticated

[@chrisfox2890]

I have just read The Goldfinch - a wonderful, huge, utterly believable novel from a great writer.

[@juliet3827]

What an interesting voice she has. It's a blend of sophistication, privilege, the Deep South, and little girl.

[@tonywalton1052]

+Juliet Young Old southern Faulknerian type of background. Not your average once string banjo twanging away.

[@nakedlunchmusic7928]

More sophisticated than Southern, obvious smatterings of privilege - little girl all grown up. Love her risk-taking frau outfit . . . . . her and Tennessee Williams would have talked forever . . . . . would love to see her act on NCIS: Los Angeles - as Hetty's younger sister, very similar vocal styles, cadence and authority!

[@Methylglyoxal]

She'd be a great Mrs Barbour

[@sierra3644]

well said!

[@binkyxz3]

If your Deep South is old enough there is commonality with British sophistication.

[@shocker147]

"The Goldfinch" was so wildly spectacular that it is the only book I will go back and reread.

[@spd13062]

Literary genius. Love her work.

[@sleepysatellite1326]

Incredible woman, maybe one of the best writer of our times !

[@adrianaalva1896]

I absolutely love her voice. Reminds me of her recoding of "a secret history" - perfection

[@gingerindian1141]

The Goldfinch is probably the best book i have ever read. Excited reading it, looking forward to every page. Its crazy but i had a magical curiosity and excitement with it. Splendid. New. Really good. Just really really good. I bought The Secret History - her first book - as i want to read all her stuff.

[@Cristobels-Green-Boots]

The reading on Amazon Audible is pretty amazing, & often laugh-out-loud funny (Boris!!!) Addictive, where you don't want it to end..... it's a Love Thing &, if I were just starting out, I would long to BE Donna Tartt....such self-assured style, but not vain or over-done! 🙏🏼🌹🙏🏽

[@nursemain3174]

The little friend is my favourite Donna novel

[@wbl5649]

I tried to read it twice, and gave up , twice. So much rambling...I couldn't imagine 800+ pages of it...

[@gingerindian1141]

@@wbl5649 i wont lie - it took a bit of time - but if you are like me - savouring what you think - there is no rush. I think people claim to read a book in a day - if they did they never enjoyed it. never any rush for me.

[@Cristobels-Green-Boots]

@Addison deWitt; Audible?🙏🏼

[@Evrlstnglve]

she is such a captivating person to watch speak, exactly what i imagined from reading her books.

[@kato.the.walrus]

I could listen to her talk all day

[@dani_is_terrible1198]

The Goldfinch is a rollercoaster ride of amazement. It’s absolutely batshit at moments. The book is amazing. It’s like watching a movie at the end of your seat. Multiple times I had to put it down, and pause because it kept blowing my mind. I thought it was about a painting, but it’s about so much more. So glad I found it because it’s a. absolutely beautiful story.

[@WenbruReviews]

EXACTLY! It’s not really about a painting at all! The Pulitzer committee was brilliant, (for once) Yet you seldom hear her acknowledge her win…

[@d.lan3y]

Donna Tartt looks like the kind of person she would write about and I'm into it

[@TinyEpics]

All artists, no matter their talent, whether consciously or unconsciously, are always making reference to themselves. We cannot escape the filter that is our very selves.

[@darrenperkins1195]

I am new to Donna Tartt. I have been looking for an author whose prose I really enjoy. She has not disappointed! Also, I find it delightful that Tartt briefly discusses "Pnin" by Vladimir Nabokov in this interview! This relatively unknown book is in my top three favorite fiction novels and I highly recommend it.

[@wanjooalexkim]

Stunning novel. Stunning woman.

[@grahamcaldecott]

I'm in the middle of this and am loving every page of it.

[@kryptothesuperdawg8043]

I just can put it words how much i love her writing, The Secret History and The Goldfinch are my favourite books ever.

[@Kazberhaf]

As a songwriter I completely relate to that feeling of ‘being on a roll’ not wanting to stop for meals, answering phones or going out to meet people etc etc It breaks the flow

[@design321]

So glad I watched. She's fascinating. Just finished The Golfinch and was captivated by the story and her prose.

[@Eddie-ro7cu]

One of the best books I've read! Good imagery and very enjoyable writing style

[@VitoriaLea]

OHHH MY GOODNESS Donna deserved a waaaaaay better interviewer. Why does the interviewer interrupt her with more questions/try to tell Donna about herself instead of letting herself answer by herself????

[@HomeAtLast501]

Because she isn't a professional interviewer.

[@VitoriaLea]

@@HomeAtLast501 But it's Donna...Tartt...why wouldn't you have a professional for her

[@HomeAtLast501]

@@VitoriaLeaInterviewing has just exploded, first with the advent of cable, then especially with the Internet and KZbin and podcasting. There are so many horrible interviewers. Good interviewers are rare. I mean, even people who are supposedly revered, highly-paid professionals, are HORRIBLE. Get on KZbin and watch a Charlie Rose interview, and read the comments. EVERYONE complains about how rude he is constantly interrupting his guests, talking over them, talking about himself. This is common.

[@HomeAtLast501]

@@danielvincent5306 The issue is that constantly interrupts the interviewee, which is a very, very common problem today. In the US our media are replete with horrific interviewers who are extremely famous, make tons of money, and yet they are horrible interviewers for a number of reasons, including that they interrupt their guests CONSTANTLY. I mention above that Charlie Rose, who was extremely well-known as an interviewer. If you watch his interviews on KZbin you will see the commenters complain constantly that he is interrupting the guests, call him a horrible interviewer for it. Larry King, who was uber famous in his prime in CNN --- exact same problem, and he was probably worse than Rose. Sean Hannity. And on and on. So are you trying to tell me that she only interrupts book authors in her interviews? But if it's a politician or business person she doesn't interrupt them?

[@HomeAtLast501]

@@danielvincent5306 The type of interruption you're discussing is totally different from the sort of thing she is doing here --- I'm not going to waste anymore time with this Millennial mealy-mouthed bologna. The bottom line is that this type of interruption, based upon having an uber short attention span, or just being clueless about the art of interviewing, and having received no media training to compensate for this cluelessness --- is extremely annoying, which is why this woman brought it up and why I responded. I really can't imagine that she somehow has a split mind and is fully conscious of what she is doing, and somehow allows herself to do it here, and doesn't allow herself to do it in interviews with the political class. Take care.

[@alexandersmith6972]

Fascinating that the section dumped was about Platt. He's one of my favourite characters in the book. The way he is transformed, devastated, by his family's tragedy made me really sympathetic towards him when earlier in the novel he's just the typical private school bully. Would have loved more of him, would have loved more of the Barbours generally.

[@redfoxonstilts]

I just finished the book and my impression was that he wasn't transformed at all. He was still saying quite hurtful and inappropriate things and clearly was trying to get some money on the side by selling his mother's furniture collection pieces. It's just that he isn't a total psychopath which is rare, and therefore you can still see his humanity.

[@FR_N-do4xi]

Could've been a 1500 Page novel really, I'd have enjoyed every word just the same

[@Cherokeechuck9]

​@@redfoxonstiltsI really like the passage at the party where she compared Platt, half drunk and looking for his mommy, to toddy, who was the center of attention in a room full of politicians and socialites. I would have liked to hear more about Platt but that pretty much sums it up.

[@oreoorva]

I read The Goldfinch few years ago and now this is the first time hearing and seeing her. The Goldfinch trailer brought me back. I really don't know how they are gonna condense this book into a movie honestly. I like The Secret History and could really see it as a movie but nevertheless, I am excited for the new movie 😛

[@cherylsimon699]

Just discovered this book and am in awe of the talent, in love with the glorious, personal, magic time created by the work.

[@carlosherrera6384]

I am obsessed with Donna Tartt!

[@teljnyazhka]

I have read all books by this amazing author, and cant wait for the next book by Donna Tart, her writing is contagious, truly captivating

[@richardcheatham9490]

I'd not be surprised if Donna immediately sits down post-interview to communicate in her notebook what went through her mind in the interviews. Freezing or holding back experience to create more string bits. What a journey, what a lark, the stuff of spirit and , of course, the spark.

[@ECCL11]

I met Donna Tartt when The Secret History was published. She was interviewed on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, where I worked at the time. The Goldfinch is an astonishingly wonderful book exceptionally worthy of a Pulitzer Prize! The movie is very good too!

[@buzzwaffle]

I think the movie makes too much of the time spent with the friend's mother, and not how the antiques owner really shaped Theo's integrity. I think the movie had to glorify Nicole Kidman's appearance in the film, when really, any competent actress could have played that part. I guess they were worried about getting people into seats, so they hired Kidman for "insurance", but imo that was foolish because the book is solid.

[@ECCL11]

@@buzzwaffle I agree with your comment about the antique owner. I have loathed Nicole Kidman since her Tom Cruise Days of Thunder but I thought her portrayal was very good. The book, being 771pgs could not be accurately made into a movie. As is often the case.

[@tonywalton1052]

That's a beautiful suit she has there.

[@NoraODonnell]

The Goldfinch changed my life

[@RobynHode8]

Genius. Along with Philip Roth, Kingsley Amis and John le Carré, Donna Tartt is my favorite writer.

[@4000Wiggins]

I'm loving this book so much rt now. I really don't want it to end.

[@morganblackwood9263]

She deserves a better interviewer, indeed; I empathize with Ms Tartt. I'm sure we're happily married on some distant planet.

[@VitoriaLea]

SERIOUSLYYYYY

[@hamzaabuhawilieh3944]

I've been reading this book for two years because i don't want it to end😭

[@abhiram1906]

Have you finished it?

[@4krainorshine]

We need an update

[@Fionaharrold]

What a lovely voice she has. She is amazing also!

[@gmotionedc5412]

What a truly wonderful woman! I’m going to get her book now.

[@thingsaboutlife]

I fucking love Donna Tartt

[@mxyzptlk...]

I love the internet. It has exposed me to so much information, including Donna Tartt 😁

[@cultfan5227]

The Goldfinch is fantastic.

[@sampower1426]

Going to be reading this today! Cannot wait!

[@lizardking1552]

She looks so young for her age

[@ilqar887]

Cause she isolated herself from lot of things

[@emmasims8608]

@@ilqar887yeah i think she just has good genes. bc she’s known to be a heavy drinker and im sure she smokes and dabbles in drugs based on her books. those things age you.

[@sofiarosececilia]

she is so eloquent, truly a role model

[@benjaminadam8022]

Tartt is a phenomenal writer

[@michelerodrigez6735]

00:55 but you see thats a lie, S.E Hinton, who wrote the outsiders, wrote an incredibly successful book from a male’s perspective that is still taught in schools all across America. It was praised at the time it was released and it is still being praised today. I adore Donna tartt’s writing but she is most definitely NOT the first women to write from a males’s perspective and be successful at it. We also have Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

[@WenbruReviews]

I had to start this book twice, which I’d never done before. If I read an hour or 100 pages, I’ve made the commitment … The second time was the perennial charm and by the time I finished, something inside me was forever changed. In addition to this book, I read The Plot and both books are kept on a special case … It’s lovely to fall into this chat with Donna.

[@brayam3747]

Just love Donna Tartt, she is amazing

[@grainnegowen5758]

How fabulous can you get

[@ginotarabotto]

I just read this passage (just finished the book) - lovely read.

[@user-mm8zv1tw1n]

Adorable Donna is always PERFECT!

[@dominiquelaurafreire6672]

Loved this book!

[@peeetteerr]

Such a grand book. I am sure both Stevenson and Dickens would heartily agree. And, a pleasure indeed to see her and listen to her and all she has to say.

[@user-jy6ue1bx1y]

Grand merci d'exister. Vous êtes pour moi une lumière dans la nuit.

[@gplunk]

An excellent interview; and nice choice on the Acqua Panna water....

[@kensleygodbee]

i love her voice

[@flavio4923]

Love her style and shyness. definately something of the characters in her. I'm so thankful to her for writing this book. It was an amazing experience reading it.

[@Cristobels-Green-Boots]

My non-stop love affair with 'The Golfinch' (via Audible) always begs the question -- 'knowing so much about 'so much', characters, drug addiction, the expletives -- straight from the gulags.....where does she find all this, who is the 'real' Boris: the 'real' Hobie -- with his awesome back story......these sources of inspiration surely don't fall from sky! The wondrous 'Hermit about Town' makes me glad I'm alive! 💔

[@Toby-rj4tm]

Donna Tartt can rock a suit

[@mininovaband]

I love Boris...

[@EyobWoldemichael]

spoil alert @21:26.

[@syj1HEAT]

Authors description in the book is so perfect that when you watch the movie its exactly as you imagined

[@christophedevos3760]

The part of the Barbers crawls really beneath the skin, because you feel so sorry for Theo, it is outstanding and typical Tartt, reminding me of The Little Friend. Interesting interview, noticing again that Tartt likes Nabokov a lot apparently, Pnin being one of his most hilarious novels. Beautiful introductory reading by the author as well by the way. Thank you for sharing.

[@fhuccCCP]

Wow, she's like a character from a Wes Anderson movies.

[@user-hw4hf2zb3t]

Haven’t read the book yet. I didn’t want to watch the full video in case of spoilers. Just wanted to say that I love her voice like that the hecko?!

[@fadesblue]

she reads the audiobook for the secret history and it’s wonderful!

[@singlespies]

I'm so glad Tartt brought up Bleak House and the death of Krook! I just finished rereading Bleak House after more than twenty years. The scene with Guppy and his friend sitting in the dark, conscious of a foulness they don't understand yet, listening for the chimes of midnight, is absolutely ghastly. My favorite chapter in that great book!

[@migsy619]

I loved the book

[@TommyLellan]

Uber intriguing. Best 30 minutes of my day.

[@Oliver-ub4gc]

I would have actually really liked a subplot about Platt. His character really interested me the whole way through, and the Barbours' as a whole. The whole Russian mafia thing with Boris just wasn't for me I'm afraid.

[@sampower1426]

I felt the mystery was certainly intriguing but believe what happened with his character was good enough. It allows you to infer your own theories etc..I cannot wait for her next book

[@pinkmazohyst]

Her voice reminds me of a child's woah. But I still respect her and her writing style is excellent

[@BooksAndChocolate]

A truly unique woman.

[@hughmanatee7657]

I haven’t read her but she is very cute and has an adorable voice.

[@technosteed4644]

Her voice sounds a little like Yeardley Smith's (Lisa Simpson's voice actress)

[@presleysheffield4469]

mother is mothering

[@CAAlbrs]

Reading that book really taught me about how amazing brotherhood is because of the friendship between Boris and Theo. Even though that is not what the book is really about, it still taught me that.

[@coltonnulick6134]

Just finished this book. Quite a wonderful read. Although I wish there was more told about Kitsey at the end.

[@emmasims8608]

yeah, it didn’t conclude satisfactorily . the whole barbours situation was left completely open ended.

[@billbollins]

I'm in love with her.

[@AngelBien]

I find her beautiful

[@juliacunningham2247]

this interviewer is killing meeeee

[@jemajoy8839]

Waited until you see 1992 interview if you haven't yet...

[@mohamadalmokhllati2749]

I love her book. I think The Secret History is better.

[@robertbaird7486]

Mohamad Almokhllati I absolutely adore the Secret History!

[@fadesblue]

valid!

[@ferguxx]

It would be amazing if The secret history could turn into a movie

[@theunexplainablecrumbs4387]

@@ferguxx For the length of the book, I think a series would be better

[@auntvesuvi3872]

💜

[@mohamedsmiri7679]

Mrs Dona Tartt I wondered by my self why your books didn't find a way to our country Tunisia.I had almost read"le maître des illusions"really you were a strange litt.phenomenal.my name is Mahjoub.

[@thefunnything4766]

Can't wait to read it, actually listen on audio, as I can work at the same time. Ms. Tartt reminds me of a writer friend of mine, but the interviewer is quite unpleasant.

[@liljill6500]

Donna Tartt is quite striking.

[@tomscoralinesonlywife2581]

I was so mad whenever Boris and Theo didn't end up together I still don't understand why they didn't but she did a great job on making me understand the parts that I didn't in the book

[@andyc211247]

I've just discovered DT today. Thanks to the AI code that brought me Gerald McAvoy reading videos. So I looked Donna up in Wikipedia and learned that we have the same birthday. That's perfect enough for me.

[@joebentleytheartist]

The end of the secret History is fixed in my mind.

[@breee4093]

I want her to read audiobooks

[@bunnyedelstein5927]

I saw Charley Rose interviewing her after she won the award for this, so I decided to read/go pay for the book. I think Steinbeck would blush a little. It took me three days to read it because it's long. For an average reader it is maybe long but I curled up with it. I can put it at the top of "yes you gotta read it" list. After Steinbeck and Dickens. Or before. Anyway, "FUCK"! I love this book.

[@jimh4072]

Much as I would love to be someone like Boris - I think that I am Platt...

[@ottoroe]

I have read The Goldfinch 5 times, no book ever strikes me the way it does, I feel like a new person and have lived through an ineffable life reading it.