Who Would Like This Book:
Prepare to get lost in postwar Barcelona! If you adore atmospheric settings, literary mysteries, and stories about the transformative power of books, "The Shadow of the Wind" is your next must-read. Zafón crafts a mesmerizing labyrinth of twists, gothic intrigue, and passionate characters, blending mystery, romance, and a dash of magical realism. Book lovers, historical fiction fans, and anyone who appreciates lush, poetic prose will find themselves right at home amongst the dusty shelves of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This isn’t a quick, breezy read. Some readers are put off by the book’s slow pacing, lengthy descriptive passages, and a plot that can get tangled with too many characters and subplots. If you prefer concise narratives, action-packed plots, or aren't a fan of flowery, melodramatic prose, you might find yourself skimming sections. Some have also found the female characters underwritten, or thought the story leaned a bit too heavily on coincidences and dramatic turns.
About:
In "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, the story unfolds in Barcelona in 1945, where a young boy discovers a book titled 'The Shadow of the Wind' in a secret library of forgotten titles. This discovery sets off a chain of events as he delves into the mystery of the book's author, Julian Carax, whose life and death are shrouded in secrets. The plot weaves through murder, madness, and love, creating an epic tale of intrigue and suspense. As the protagonist, Daniel, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind Carax's works, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of mysteries and revelations.
Zafon's writing style in "The Shadow of the Wind" is described as enchanting, atmospheric, and immersive. The author skillfully combines elements of mystery, romance, and historical fiction to create a captivating narrative that transports readers to post-war Barcelona. Through intricate plots, fully developed characters, and evocative descriptions, Zafon crafts a story that explores the power of books, the complexities of human relationships, and the enduring impact of secrets and betrayals.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of violence, sexual abuse, and trauma related to war.
Has Romance?
The story includes multiple romantic elements, primarily through Daniel's relationships and those of Julian Carax.
From The Publisher:
"Gabriel García Márquez meets Umberto Eco meets Jorge Luis Borges for a sprawling magic show."-The New York Times Book Review
"One gorgeous read." -Stephen King
A New York Times Bestseller
Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer's son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author's other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax's books in existence. Soon Daniel's seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets-an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.
"Anyone who enjoys novels that are scary, erotic, touching, tragic and thrilling should rush right out to the nearest bookstore and pick up The Shadow of the Wind. Really, you should." -Michael Dirda, The Washington Post
"Wonderous . . . masterful . . . The Shadow of the Wind is ultimately a love letter to literature, intended for readers as passionate about storytelling as its young hero." -Entertainment Weekly (Editor's Choice)
Ratings (319)
Incredible (86) | |
Loved It (105) | |
Liked It (69) | |
It Was OK (27) | |
Did Not Like (25) | |
Hated It (7) |
Reader Stats (746):
Read It (325) | |
Currently Reading (5) | |
Want To Read (321) | |
Did Not Finish (16) | |
Not Interested (79) |
12 comment(s)
A page-turner could not stop reading ... Brings back the pleasures of a good story ..plays like a fugue!
I almost got whiplash from trying to figure things out on my own. I enjoyed the twist and turns. My only complaint is that characters are interchangeably referred to by first & last name and then one or the other throughout the story.
I was compelled by the plot and the writing style, which was very atmospheric. But, I didn’t love any of the characters, and I felt the women were held to sexist standards which did them a huge disservice.
While not a bad book, it is dreadfully slow and not much of a mystery. Lovers of language may still find it appealing. I just do not care what happens, so there is no point in continuing.
Oh my god I never want to hear this man talk about women again
“Destiny is usually just around the corner. Like a thief, a hooker, or a lottery vendor: its three most common personifications. But what destiny does not do is home visits. You have to go for it yourself.”
Bravo!! What a wild adventure goose chase of a story! Started fairly slow but built the world up very well with more and more characters involved. Some slow parts but very fun overall, especially the last ~20%.
This book is so beloved to me, I read it as a teenager and found it fascinating and dark. Its treatment of the hardships brought by the war and family drama takes a new dimension on Zafón pen. I reread it as an adult and fell even harder for its story, this book and all the others by this author have some raw connection to my soul that I both enjoy and suffer while reading.
It's a must read for history lovers and I recommend reading it in Spanish if given the chance, you're not gonna regret it!
5*
RTC
This book was good just a big drawn out for me.
I enjoyed this mysterious Gothic read set in Barcelona, even though the ending dragged on in a final letter to wrap up the plot, which was very annoying!
What can you read after
The Shadow of the Wind?
About the Author:
Carlos Ruiz Zafon is one of the world's most read and best-loved writers. His work has been translated into more than forty languages and published around the world, garnering numerous international prizes and reaching millions of readers. He divides his…
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