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ladylibrarian75 's review for:
The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
This was different from any other book I have ever read. The character development and twists and turns in the plot were rather new to me. On the one hand the characters were very real and believable - on the other, they were quite fantastic. In some ways the plot was so depressing, but in others it was renewing and all about survival and the human spirit. But, isn't that the way with life - sometimes we are dealt cards we'd rather avoid, and other times things work out unexpectedly in wonderful ways. I see the Dickensian and Gothic influence mentioned by some - yet, for me, not in any traditional way.
I was caught up in the plot early on. Daniel seems very mature for his age - starting with his infatuation with Clara, his love of Carax's rather mature book, and his fearless embarkation on learning more about Carax. I enjoyed how the characters and their families came and went - and then returned throughout the book. Nobody and nothing was superfluous. The setting in post-WWII was fitting - and Spain has become more mysterious and beckoning for me. The relationship between Daniel and his father - the kindness of Daniel toward Fermin - the fearlessness of Daniel struck very strong chords within. I loved the concept of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. I thought the pen's role in the book was unique and appropriate. Although the book was never that earth-shaking or startling at any given moment, I was unable to predetermine in any way, shape, or form how it would continue and finally end.
I was caught up in the plot early on. Daniel seems very mature for his age - starting with his infatuation with Clara, his love of Carax's rather mature book, and his fearless embarkation on learning more about Carax. I enjoyed how the characters and their families came and went - and then returned throughout the book. Nobody and nothing was superfluous. The setting in post-WWII was fitting - and Spain has become more mysterious and beckoning for me. The relationship between Daniel and his father - the kindness of Daniel toward Fermin - the fearlessness of Daniel struck very strong chords within. I loved the concept of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. I thought the pen's role in the book was unique and appropriate. Although the book was never that earth-shaking or startling at any given moment, I was unable to predetermine in any way, shape, or form how it would continue and finally end.