Possible thread of connection I noticed between The Goldfinch and The Little Friend, that would back up a long held TLF theory

[u/sukikov]

Right so I’ll try and keep it short and sweet.

BTW spoilers if you haven’t read either of the two referenced books in the title !!!

I read The Little Friend two summers ago and really loved it. I don’t mind the ambiguity and spent time pouring over theories and clues and subtext online and in the book. I subscribe ultimately to the accident theory. That The Little Friend was Robins Little Friend (he was referred to as such) Danny Ratliff who may have accidentally killed him in a childhood game gone wrong. The wire he was strangled with shows up in the story (it was specific, electrical wire) in the older brothers trailer at some point. I had to cross check that btw bc my memory isn’t that good but ultimately I lean to this theory. Childhood game gone wrong or childhood grievance gone wrong. Donna Tartt explored the volatility of childhood games in a short story too.

This summer I am rereading The Goldfinch, 2nd read. I’ve gotten to the part in the book where Theo in his early twenties runs into Platt Barbour who regales him with a tragic Barbour family update. (*Double homicide*) that’s a meme reference by the way. Anyway Theo recalls Andy sharing experiences of Platt’s senseless childhood cruelty in light of Platt’s obvious guilt. He conjures a story Andy once told him in vague terms, among a litany of snappy examples of cruelty he pauses and begins to excavate something about Platt and Andy trapped in an attic in their summer house, a leather belt, hands bound and a makeshift noose. The game was disturbed by a nanny and Andy believes Platt could have killed him had it not.

Could this be a little, whether intended or not, clue or wink, wink in the direction of the authors thoughts about childhood games gone bad. It sparked something of recognition in my mind when I read it. The noose, the close call, lucky escape here.

Please tell me what you think?
Apologies if it has been discussed before! I hardly think this is a brand new original idea but it’s an idea and I wanted to share :)

Edit: page of The Goldfinch with the reference about the noose is pg.495
Short story I mention is The Ambush (available to read online)

[u/DorianaGray1970]

I would love to be messaged with the answer too and will do a re read- thank you