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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Wow this book blew me away, the descriptions the plot just everything fitted together. When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it and Julian, Daniel and the creepy Fumero. This author is one of my favourites he just sucks you into the place as if you were watching it all unfold at the edge of a stage. It starts with a ten year old Dániel being taken to the cemetery of forgotten books by father where he discovers the The shadow of the wind by Julian Carax. As Daniel turns older more people seem interested in his find he the story turns into a mystery of the author Julian carax’s life and death. This was truly an engaging read and has made me want to go to Barcelona and walk in the footsteps of the characters. Can’t wait to read angels game.
Considero, La sombra del viento, una novela imprescindible que todos debemos leer.
Nos encontramos en la Barcelona de la postguerra. Un librero conduce a su hijo, Daniel, al Cementerio de los Libros Olvidados donde descubrirá una novela titulada La Sombra del Viento. La obra pertenece a un escritor que, supuestamente, murió durante la guerra, pero alguien ha estado quemando todos sus ejemplares en cada librería, biblioteca o casa de coleccionista donde pudiera llegar a encontrarlos. Daniel, tratando de descubrir quién era en realidad el escritor y por qué sus libros estaban sufriendo de aquella manera, se decide a investigarlo. Ello lo llevará hacia una Barcelona más oscura, llena de secretos, amor, odio, y mucho dolor.
La novela está narrada en primera persona por el propio Daniel, es decir, el protagonista nos contará todo lo que recuerda que ocurrió en aquella época. Esto nos puede dar a entender que sobrevive a tales circunstancias, aunque…
Igual que ocurre con La ciudad de los prodigios, de Eduardo Mendoza, encontramos descrita una Barcelona de mediados de siglo y devastada por lo que fue la guerra civil española. La obra nos ayuda a adentrarnos en aquellos días de desesperanza, sin saber cuándo alguien podría golpear la puerta y llevárselo detenido. Las descripciones exhaustivas nos permiten meternos de lleno en la trama y vivir el momento junto a los personajes.
Se plantean historias de amor, humorísticas, de gran tensión y muy dramáticas. Es un conjunto de mezclas que podrían, sin duda, darse en la vida real y más en aquella época tan convulsa.
La propia ortotipografía es muy acertada, refiriéndome, en concreto, al uso de la cursiva. En muchas ocasiones se producen hechos donde el protagonista no estuvo presente, pero se describen como si hubiera sido un fantasma presenciando la escena. La cursiva, según mi interpretación, se ha utilizado en muchos casos para aplicar los testimonios de otros, que llegan al propio Daniel, para contarlo de una manera más fluida y no según un recuerdo de una conversación en la que se podría haber perdido algo de información.
Es, por tanto, el inicio de una saga; no sé bien lo que me deparará, pero ya esta novela en sí te muestra un mundo conflictivo donde la literatura se alza como eje central de la trama. Si te gusta la historia y el suspense, no la dejes escapar.
NOTA: 9,5/10
Nos encontramos en la Barcelona de la postguerra. Un librero conduce a su hijo, Daniel, al Cementerio de los Libros Olvidados donde descubrirá una novela titulada La Sombra del Viento. La obra pertenece a un escritor que, supuestamente, murió durante la guerra, pero alguien ha estado quemando todos sus ejemplares en cada librería, biblioteca o casa de coleccionista donde pudiera llegar a encontrarlos. Daniel, tratando de descubrir quién era en realidad el escritor y por qué sus libros estaban sufriendo de aquella manera, se decide a investigarlo. Ello lo llevará hacia una Barcelona más oscura, llena de secretos, amor, odio, y mucho dolor.
La novela está narrada en primera persona por el propio Daniel, es decir, el protagonista nos contará todo lo que recuerda que ocurrió en aquella época. Esto nos puede dar a entender que sobrevive a tales circunstancias, aunque…
Igual que ocurre con La ciudad de los prodigios, de Eduardo Mendoza, encontramos descrita una Barcelona de mediados de siglo y devastada por lo que fue la guerra civil española. La obra nos ayuda a adentrarnos en aquellos días de desesperanza, sin saber cuándo alguien podría golpear la puerta y llevárselo detenido. Las descripciones exhaustivas nos permiten meternos de lleno en la trama y vivir el momento junto a los personajes.
Se plantean historias de amor, humorísticas, de gran tensión y muy dramáticas. Es un conjunto de mezclas que podrían, sin duda, darse en la vida real y más en aquella época tan convulsa.
La propia ortotipografía es muy acertada, refiriéndome, en concreto, al uso de la cursiva. En muchas ocasiones se producen hechos donde el protagonista no estuvo presente, pero se describen como si hubiera sido un fantasma presenciando la escena. La cursiva, según mi interpretación, se ha utilizado en muchos casos para aplicar los testimonios de otros, que llegan al propio Daniel, para contarlo de una manera más fluida y no según un recuerdo de una conversación en la que se podría haber perdido algo de información.
Es, por tanto, el inicio de una saga; no sé bien lo que me deparará, pero ya esta novela en sí te muestra un mundo conflictivo donde la literatura se alza como eje central de la trama. Si te gusta la historia y el suspense, no la dejes escapar.
NOTA: 9,5/10
A steaming pile of sentimental garbage. Deserves points for solid writing craft at least.
This was a terrific read--a labyrinth of dramatic characters intertwined in a narrative that had me nibbling my nails and staying up late, unable to put it down. Sometimes the metaphors were a bit over the top, but I loved the imagery the author created with them. Now, I'm on to the next book in the series of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
im on the verge of having no words for this book. the plot twists in this are so absolutely crazy and there is ONE PARTICULAR PLOT TWIST AROUND PAGE 400 that literally is the most shocking jawdropping mindblowing plot twist ever. i will say it was a slow book, with a slow start, and there were some parts that i definitely didnt like. i didnt imagine it was going to be some sort of romance, or at least have this large looming romantic element over the whole thing but here we are. i didnt despise it but the descriptions of women caught me off guard a bit sometimes. loved the ending though, that was cute.
decent 3.5/5 stars
decent 3.5/5 stars
It's been years since I've read this book, but I still remember the feeling of utter immersion in the Barcelona Carlos Ruiz Zafon writes about. I remember the sensory details, practically feeling the grit of dust inhabiting the long-forgotten places our young protagonist wanders through.
The Shadow of the Wind follows Daniel Sempere, whose father owns a bookstore called Sempere and Son, in the year 1945. His father takes Daniel to The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where he adopts a book by Julian Carax. From there, Daniel becomes obsessed with finding out who Carax was, and what happened to him. The only person who can distract him from the search is the young woman with whom he falls in love.
This is an incredibly textured book. The language is highly evocative, and the surroundings do an excellent job of setting the scene. I've never been to Barcelona, but, after reading this book, I feel like I have.
Not that the book always paints the prettiest picture. This Barcelona is dark and dangerous and gritty, but ultimately fascinating.
This is a beautifully written book, deserving of its accolades. The translation I read was wonderfully done. It preserved the poetry of the language without muddling what was going on.
The Shadow of the Wind follows Daniel Sempere, whose father owns a bookstore called Sempere and Son, in the year 1945. His father takes Daniel to The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where he adopts a book by Julian Carax. From there, Daniel becomes obsessed with finding out who Carax was, and what happened to him. The only person who can distract him from the search is the young woman with whom he falls in love.
This is an incredibly textured book. The language is highly evocative, and the surroundings do an excellent job of setting the scene. I've never been to Barcelona, but, after reading this book, I feel like I have.
Not that the book always paints the prettiest picture. This Barcelona is dark and dangerous and gritty, but ultimately fascinating.
This is a beautifully written book, deserving of its accolades. The translation I read was wonderfully done. It preserved the poetry of the language without muddling what was going on.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The opening of the book hooked me, had me clamoring to inhale it. The descriptions, the richness of the setting, and the curiosity of our narrator made for a gripping beginning. Eventually I started to get bogged down in those details, in the alleys and shops of a city I have never seen. The characters and intrigue multiplied, and I got lost among them. By the (long awaited) denouement, I was invested again, and ate up the ending. It was worth the near-slog through the middle.
Plus it's a book about books, so it automatically gets an extra half star.
Plus it's a book about books, so it automatically gets an extra half star.
Genlæsning. En af dem, der ikke skuffer her mange år senere. ❤️
This book has my heart and soul. This book is my reminder for why I adore reading. I want to reread it immediately after finishing. I can rave on and on about this piece of art.
You sit back and watch all the pieces fit together and it's immensely satisfying. Along with that, the poetic writing had me on the first page. I wanted to drown in this book, consume unhealthy amounts of it. The characters were relatable and you start to love them so easily. Although, the ending was happier than I expected it to be which of course was very welcome. I think I have a new all-time favourite.
You sit back and watch all the pieces fit together and it's immensely satisfying. Along with that, the poetic writing had me on the first page. I wanted to drown in this book, consume unhealthy amounts of it. The characters were relatable and you start to love them so easily. Although, the ending was happier than I expected it to be which of course was very welcome. I think I have a new all-time favourite.