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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cons - long with lots of characters
Pros - fascinating plot, satisfying ending
Pros - fascinating plot, satisfying ending
Even though this is technically the first book in the, Cemetery of Forgotten Books, series, it is the second I've read. I read the fourth and final book, The Labyrinth of the Spirits, first. These books are connected but can be read in any order. The world is rich, dark, and complex. This book deals primarily with the early events of Daniel Sempere's life, his discovery of the enigmatic author Julian Carax, and how he and Beatrix come to fall in love. Through Daniel's meddling, we also learn more about Julian Carax; his upbringing, his tragic love story, and his school friends (including the nefarious Javier Fumero). Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, this is a compelling story of love, friendship, and revenge. Zafon's books are not particularly light reading, so I probably wouldn't recommend reading all four consecutively, but to take breaks between each book.
Reread 11/6/2022: 4 stars still stands. This book tells the story of the parallel lives of Julian Carax and Daniel Sempere. A dark tale of loneliness, betrayal, love, and murder. Excellently written but I think The Labyrinth of Lost Spirits and The Angel's Game (I'm halfway through now) are better.
Reread 11/6/2022: 4 stars still stands. This book tells the story of the parallel lives of Julian Carax and Daniel Sempere. A dark tale of loneliness, betrayal, love, and murder. Excellently written but I think The Labyrinth of Lost Spirits and The Angel's Game (I'm halfway through now) are better.
I began reading this at our old house. It was Halloween. I sat outside and as few children lived in that neighborhood, I found mysel abreast on the waves of the opening chapters. There is something narcotic in those pages. All-too-quickly the buzz is gone and what remains are farces and clumsy plot devices.
Umberto Eco is nothing like this. The Shadow of the Wind is shit. This and that million selling Ninth Gate and Danny Brown: people looking for mystery to explain their undead experience. You're not talented: don't blame the Freemasons!
I finished it and left on the plane to Munich.
Umberto Eco is nothing like this. The Shadow of the Wind is shit. This and that million selling Ninth Gate and Danny Brown: people looking for mystery to explain their undead experience. You're not talented: don't blame the Freemasons!
I finished it and left on the plane to Munich.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
The best truly imaginative story I have read in some time.
What an epic (absolutely epic) story that embraces the wonder of literature, and the thrilling genres of murder, madness, and doomed love. It is 1945 in Barcelona, Spain. As the city heals from it’s war wounds, Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son mourns the loss of his mother and finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. As he sets out to find the author’s other works, he realizes that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has ever written. In fact, Daniel may have I have the last of Carax’s books in existence. This seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets… run and grab a copy of this NOW!!!
Also random but relevant: I put Hozier’s self entitled record on a few days ago and realized that this book and this record, with their subtle undertone of goth and intoxicating love themes, were somewhat from the same world. Even though one was created by a Spaniard and another an Irishman, Daniel and Hozier sure are talking and thinking in the same style. Anyway, there you have it. Loved the suspense, the subplots on subplots, the thrills, the extra attention you had to pay toward characters and their stories, and everything in between.
Cannot wait to continue this series!
Also random but relevant: I put Hozier’s self entitled record on a few days ago and realized that this book and this record, with their subtle undertone of goth and intoxicating love themes, were somewhat from the same world. Even though one was created by a Spaniard and another an Irishman, Daniel and Hozier sure are talking and thinking in the same style. Anyway, there you have it. Loved the suspense, the subplots on subplots, the thrills, the extra attention you had to pay toward characters and their stories, and everything in between.
Cannot wait to continue this series!
This book is great to read before a trip to Spain since it is set in Barcelona & covers the Civil War & post war time periods. It is a mystery but it is also an ode to books & reading.
4 for long scenes and awkward (in my opinion unnecessary) conversations, al evo 5 za opise i jer mi se svidio twist
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes