My book club buddy told me to skip the last 50 pages of 'The Goldfinch' and I'm glad I didn't listen.

Sarah in my group said the ending was a total letdown and the book peaked halfway through. She insisted I'd be happier just imagining my own conclusion. I read the whole thing anyway, and while the final section in Amsterdam was a bit of a slog, that last paragraph about the painting actually tied everything together for me in a way I would have missed. It made me think about how we assign value to things. Has anyone else had a friend try to talk them out of finishing a book? Did you go through with it?

3 comments

3 Comments

karenthompson15h ago

Sarah sounds like the kind of person who would tell you to leave the last bite of a really good cake. What's the point of the whole journey if you skip the destination?

price.nora13h ago

But what if the last bite is the best part? That's where all the frosting usually ends up. I can't stand the idea of wasting good cake just to prove some weird point about self control. Is it really about the journey if you're leaving the best bit on the plate?

sean50210h ago

You're focused on the best part being at the end. But isn't the whole point of the journey to enjoy all of it, not just the finale? Saving the best bite feels like you're admitting the rest wasn't that good.