The Goldfinch< strong> is a 2013 novel by Donna Tartt The story follows Theodore Decker a 13 year old boy who survives a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that kills his mother In the aftermath of the bombing Theo steals a small painting of a goldfinch which becomes a source of comfort and hope for him < p>

Theo is taken in by a wealthy family but he struggles to adjust to his new life He is haunted by the memory of his mother s death and he begins to use drugs and alcohol to cope with his pain Theo eventually runs away from home and travels to Amsterdam where he meets a group of young people who are also struggling to find their place in the world < p>

The Goldfinch is a powerful and moving novel about loss grief and redemption It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times there is always hope < p>