Theo Decker's life is upended when he survives a terrorist bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which kills his mother. Amidst the chaos, Theo is drawn to "The Goldfinch," a painting he steals and clings to as a tangible connection to his lost mother. Taken in by the Barbours, the wealthy family of a school friend, Theo struggles with profound grief and guilt. His world further shifts upon meeting Hobart and Blackwell, an antique furniture restoration company owned by the kind-hearted James Hobart, affectionately known as Hobie. Through Hobie, Theo connects with Pippa, another bombing survivor who becomes a symbol of his longing for stability and understanding.

Years pass and Theo grapples with the transition into adulthood marked by trauma and loss. He tiptoes through relationships, and ventures deeper into the art world, where "The Goldfinch" remains a keystone of his emotional turmoil. His journey brings him face-to-face with figures from his past and the unraveling consequences of the choices stemming from the tragedy. Layered with themes of memory and survival, as well as the intricate interplay between beauty and despair, Theo's path underscores a broader quest for redemption and solace amidst life's unpredictabilities.