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The Shadow of the Wind

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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.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, each with their own backstories, adding depth to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lush and poetic, creating an evocative atmosphere that enhances the narrative and captivates readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows young Daniel Sempere as he uncovers the mysteries of the author Julian Carax, leading to interconnected narratives of love, loss, and danger in post-war Barcelona.

Setting:

The setting of post-war Barcelona, especially the enchanting Cemetery of Forgotten Books, plays a crucial role in shaping the novel's mood and themes.

Pacing:

The pacing varies throughout, beginning slowly and building tension and urgency as the story progresses.
THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES IN LIFE, EXCEPT TO FEEL remorse. Julián Carax and I met in the autumn of 1933. At that time I was working for the publisher Toni Cabestany, who had discovered him in 1927 i...

Notes:

The protagonist, Daniel Sempere, is introduced to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books at a young age.
The novel intertwines the stories of Daniel and the mysterious author Julián Carax.
The story is set in post-Civil War Barcelona, creating a dark and atmospheric backdrop.
The book explores themes of love, obsession, and the impact of literature on life.
Fermin Romero de Torres is a standout character, known for his wit and complexity.
The novel contains many twists and turns that keep readers engaged until the end.
The Shadow of the Wind is part of a series called The Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
The author, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, passed away in 2020, leaving a lasting literary legacy.
The English translation by Lucia Graves has been praised for retaining the beauty of the original text.

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 (215)

Incredible (61)
Loved It (70)
Liked It (47)
It Was OK (17)
Did Not Like (15)
Hated It (5)

Reader Stats (472):

Read It (220)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (198)
Did Not Finish (6)
Not Interested (44)

7 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

“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%.

 
Incredible
1 month

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!

 
Incredible
3 months

5*

RTC

 
Liked It
3 months

This book was good just a big drawn out for me.

 
Loved It
3 months

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!

 
Loved It
3 months

Hay algun personaje encantador, especialmente Fermin!

Y la historia no esta mal, es un buen libro.

Pero lo que a mi me mata es "la carta". Es increiblemente larga, no se como le dio tiempo a escribirla y es un flashback de 50 o 60 paginas ademas de incluir un monton de cosas que es imposible que quien escribe la carta pudiera saber. Para mi esto rompio totalmente la logica del libro y rompio la ficcion para ahora empezar a darme cuenta de la tecnica de escritura.

Otro de esos trucos que me di cuenta entonces es que escribe en primera persona pero a menudo quiere describir los sentimientos de los demas asi que tiene que hacer que el personaje los deduzca. En plan la luz de sus ojos era como si tuviera una mentira que quisiera decir o algo asi. Quien va por la vida haciendo esas deducciones?

 
Did Not Like
8 months

I hate the writing style

 

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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