I've never read The Goldfinch, but I wanted to comment because I find your interpretation of Owen as a coming of age story to be really intriguing. I just reread it and found it to be almost the opposite of this - while the protagonist does age as the story progresses, he is mentally and emotionally mired in an almost perpetual childhood or adolescence. I think that's what is meant to be symbolized by his virginity, sexlessness and lack of ability to move past traumatic events in his life. I think Cider House is a better example of the true Bildungsroman. This isn't to smear Owen, though. It is one of my favorite novels and I've read it many times since first being assigned it in English lit.
I LOVE John Irving, and while I have to agree with the commenter who says the themes and emotions in his novels can be repetitive, I don't think it's inevitably a bad thing for a novelist to have a "schtick."
dankpoots t1_jdwjath wrote
Reply to Donna Tartt and John Irving by shnoogle111
I've never read The Goldfinch, but I wanted to comment because I find your interpretation of Owen as a coming of age story to be really intriguing. I just reread it and found it to be almost the opposite of this - while the protagonist does age as the story progresses, he is mentally and emotionally mired in an almost perpetual childhood or adolescence. I think that's what is meant to be symbolized by his virginity, sexlessness and lack of ability to move past traumatic events in his life. I think Cider House is a better example of the true Bildungsroman. This isn't to smear Owen, though. It is one of my favorite novels and I've read it many times since first being assigned it in English lit.
I LOVE John Irving, and while I have to agree with the commenter who says the themes and emotions in his novels can be repetitive, I don't think it's inevitably a bad thing for a novelist to have a "schtick."