The Shadow of the Wind - *Plot revealed!*

[newnat32]

*Plot revealed!*

As I read this novel I thought I had hit upon an amazing find (not that I would be the first, since it states 'International bestseller' on the cover).

Briefly, Daniel is taken by his father to a 'Cemetery of forgotten books' and chooses a novel by a mostly-forgotten author named Julian Carax. He is gripped by the story and appears fated to uncover the story behind the author and his life. This is set in a Barcelona that is at war, both internally and externally for the majority of the story.

The storyline at first seems fresh and new, but as I came to the halfway stage I couldn't get 'The Phantom of the Opera' storyline out of my mind, and then I realised that the apparently clever 'shadowing' of characters and storylines which matched the subject of the book, Daniel and the object of his search, 'Julian Carax' were in fact overdone and rather heavy handed. For every person in Daniel's life (or so it seems), there is an equivalent in Julian's. For every misfortune met by each, ditto. The imagery throughout is so unsubtle that even Dickens would have thought twice about it (rooms with no light - disfigured occupant, locked room with crucifixes - mad bloke, snowy nights - skullduggery, etc). Then we have an ending that is completely out of synch with the general misery that pervades the rest of the book.

The author gives women a severly hard time: Daniels mother gets a relatively easy escape by dying of Cholera just after the Civil War, when he is very young. Julian's mother Sophie is married to a man incapable of love who beats her to a pulp regularly. Penelope is given a horrific sending-off courtesy of her father and the blind, fickle Clara torments the younger Daniel. Only Nuria is given any redeeming features, but also comes to a sticky end. To be fair his men aren't exactly heros, either, and even the 'good' or 'strong' characters are often weak and incapable.

In hindsight it is difficult to say why I liked it so much. There are little touches which I did like - the link with the ink pen was a nice idea, and 'Fermin' is a likeable character. I love the 'cemetery of forgotten books' and would go there if it existed (try Barter books in Alnwick for a similar feel!), but there's no real explanation as to how this huge old place has no visible means of income yet maintains a 24-hour manager, not least why it isn't the first place Lain Coubert would think of burning down? Still - a great holiday read, some great ideas, and a gripping read - maybe I'm just being a little picky?

[anisoara]

Haven't read your post, because I don't want the plot revealed, but I shall come back to it soon-ish as I have the book and will want to compare notes with you! I DID read the beginning of your message, and I'm glad to know that you liked the book.

[Bill]

A stunning literary thriller in the tradition of Umberto Eco. The discovery of a forgotten book leads to a hunt for an elusive author who may or may not still be alive...

Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the 'cemetery of lost books', a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out 'La Sombra del Viento' by Julian Carax.

But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax's work in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind. A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love, and the places that obsession can lead.

RRP: £9.99, <a href ="http://www.thebookplace.com/bookplace/spring2005.asp?CID=BGO733" TARGET="_blank">The Book Pl@ce</a> Price: £7.99
Just click on book jacket:
<a href="http://www.thebookplace.co.uk/bookplace/display.asp?ISB=0753819317&CID=BGO733"TARGET="_blank">
<IMG SRC="http://213.253.134.29/jackets/m/075/0753819317.jpg">
</a>

[Jute]

I wanted desperately to find anything else written by him but to no avail. It just evoked Barcelona so well. The writing was fantastic and you could feel the weather, if that makes sense.

[purplebongowoman]

Yes the plot was pretty transparent. It held me because I liked the hero, and the quality of writing was excellent. The corruption at the heart of the city pervades the book. Echoes of Kafka, with Gothic overtones!

[gerbooks]

Have just finished reading Shadow of the Wind and must admit to being a bit disappointed. Thought it was an enjoyable read but in no way deserved the fantastic reviews that made me rush out to buy it. It seemed to me to be cliched and the final denoument was obvious from very early on. So, my recommendation is, do read it but don't expect to much.

[elsie]

This is the first time that I have posted a reply, but, yes, I totally agree - a good read, but a little too carried away with gothic literature and a sense of importance that I am not sure was justified.

elsie

[Jill]

I also enjoyed it and wanted to read on to the end even though I more or less knew what was going to happen. I thought the male characters were interesting and believable but the big disappointment was the 'main' females. I thought the portrayal of both Penelope and Bea was thin and unconvincing. Partly it was the demands of the plot that caused this but they never felt real and I didn't care too much what happened to them unlike Nuria.

[Elfstar]

I really enjoyed this perhaps because its slightly out of my normal reading pattern. It "fell" into my basket at Asda...although that might be because I had most of the other books on the shelf that day........ :rolleyes:

[stevieb]

Finished it last night and thought it was exellent - yes the identity of the burned man was fairly obvious from early on but the sense of atmosphere was very good and I liked the way actions and decisions made years ago can have echoes down the decades and haunt the characters leading to tragic consequnces.
It was quite creepy at times and thought Fumero was a great villian....the use of the Civil War as the central motif for loss and dissapointment was very effective....

[Cabrasopa]

Fnished it a few weeks ago, again i agree with you all, a good read but i expected more (reviews slightly overhyped this book).
The ending was fairly predictable and yes i also guessed the identity of the burned man, but not until half way through.
I love Spain (Spanish family), so i enjoy reading anything with a Spanish theme.
I've read a lot of books to do with the Spanish Civil War.
Would i recommend this book?, Yes ( a good story, if a little bit to flowery at times)

Cabrasopa :cool:

[Maureen]

I am reading this one right now. Quite enjoying it, but also reading Billy Morgan by Joolz Denby which I like better - it's all about taste is'nt it? Shadow of the Wind is a bit flowery at times, whilst Billie Morgan is definitely not.

Also, reading a book of short stories by Bukowski - this is brilliant.

[Ade]

I agree with you. This is certainly a very engaging story, beautifully written (often almost poetic in its style) and the setting (Barcelona and the Civil War) is very appealing and evocative. The main attraction, though, is the plot and I think any novel that relies just on this has to be limited - does anyone think the novel is any more than that? I'm struggling to decide what ideas Zafon wanted to explore. And in some ways anything I can extract is romantic tosh, frankly - the romantic hero destroyed by the loss of his one love, cursed never to find happiness again? The current hero doomed to repeat that same mistake unless he learns from the past and remains true to his love in the face of family opposition? Yes, engaging as a story, but lacking depth as literature. I've just come from another forum looking at Iris Murdoch's "The Sea, The Sea" and this felt like Noddy-land compared to that!

[Treve]

Having just finished this, I don't believe it is worthy of all the hype surrounding it. Certainly it is an enjoyable read and is beautifully written in parts, but yet it lacks real conviction which made me struggle with the characters and therefore failing to keep me interested. The plot was also predictable from early on in the novel. Despite all this, I am glad I persevered and would not discourage anyone from reading it, just feel that there are more worthy titles available. :)

[Ade]

Yes, I totally agree. It is a good read for one of those times when you want something easy and engaging. And unlike others that could feasibly be included in this category (like 'The Da Vinci Code') it is well-written! ;)

[Kats]

I read this on the recommendation of a friend and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I did guess the identity of the burned man, but that just added to my enjoyment really.

I can understand the comments about the female characters though, they were a tad one-dimensional.

I'd still recommend it to anyone else looking for a darned good read.

[Krey20]

-----------------------------------------------------11th January 2006, 03:33 PM

Momo
Subscriber and Permanent Resident

I finished this book a while ago and quite agree with a lot of the posters here. I don't know why I liked it so much but I actually loved it. Usually, I try not to read a famous bestseller immediately as everyone raves about it and then I am disappointed. But something attracted me to this book, I just had to read it. And then I had to finish it as soon as possible. Hardly got any sleep in those days ... It is one of the best books I read last year.

-----------------------------------------------------12th January 2006, 08:55 PM

Thumbsucker
Subscriber

I too really enjoyed this book when I read it last year. Like another book that I absolutely loved: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, it seems to be a book that people either love or are disappointed by. I must say I fell deeply into both of these and really didn't want to climb out again.

-----------------------------------------------------9th August 2006, 01:58 PM

gg106
Senior Member

I am amazed at how many people have posted negative reviews about this book. I thought it was beautifully written, it reminded me somewhat of the style of Isabelle Allende who is a real favourite of mine. I just loved the way the narrative kept changing and drew you further and further in to the web of the story. Yes the identity of the burnt man was obvious but then so many novels are predictable. I have just finished Possession by AS Byatt and guessed less than halfway through that Maud was a descendent of Ash and Christabel. It did not detract from my enjoyment of either novel.

-----------------------------------------------------10th August 2006, 03:20 PM

Momo
Subscriber and Permanent Resident

I think you can disagree about any book, even the best ones written. If you didn't like it, you will always find a reason for it.
I have read books in the past that I didn't like the first time but then talked about it with other people and finally "got it". The second time around, I really loved it. But I wouldn't read every book twice just in case I might like it.

-----------------------------------------------------10th August 2006, 04:04 PM

katrina
Permanent Resident

I read this book as part of a book group read and really enjoyed it, although the id of the burnt man was obvious. Its definately a book I would recommend to others.

[Krey20]

---------------------------------------------------------------Yesterday, 04:04 PM

Stokos
Subscriber

Abandoned after 3 chapters.
I plead insanity.

[megustaleer]

This thread must have been started in the days before we had 'spoiler' tags.
If someone would care to pm me with details of which bits of the opening thread should be hidden I can edit the spoiler tags in.

[Krey20]

Is that necessary, as the thread is titled as "plot releaved?"

Edit: Just trying to save you some work. :)

[Robyn]

I don't care if this has already been posted about (okay yeh I do, well done), but it has to be mentioned by me, this book is my favourite book of all time. I was asked to read it by my mother (another avid reader) and I'm so glad she asked. It mixed my two favourite things mystery and history (ugh I hate rhyming) and it made me cry and ach! just so inspiring. I hope others feel the same. I will defend this book to the death. If you haven't read it...DO IT NOW YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT... Lots of love all and happy reading xox

[megustaleer]

Welcome to BGO, Robyn. I hope you enjoy yourself here.

As you see, there is already a thread about Shadow Of The Wind, so I have added your post to it. Perhaps a fresh voice will reinvigorate the discussion.

[Momo]

Robyn, I can understand your feelings very well. Not everyone loved this book as much as you do but I liked it very much. I introduced it to my RL (real life) book club and they all liked it, I got my husband to read it, and he loved it (we usually have very different tastes in books) but I haven't managed to convince my son who also loves mystery and history. Maybe with your report, he will look into it.

[My Friend Jack]

I finished it last night. A most enjoyable read. I had not read any of the reviews, nor this thread, so had not had my expectation levels set (I think the enthusiastic reviews account for some of the negative comments made above).

The book certainly evoked an unusual atmosphere (some have described it as gothic) which I thought the author created extremely well.

One of the more memorable books that I've read in recent years, and I would recommend it (whilst acknowledging (with surprise) Stokos's right to give up after 3 chapters ;) ).

I was interested to see that Thumbsucker started on Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell afetr finishing SOTW, as I have done exactly the same.

[FirelightSpirit]

It's amazing how different peoples' reactions to books can be. I posted on this pre-The Crash so my original post has been lost in the ether, but my thoughts on it haven't, so here they are again.

I hated it.

Started reading and got into the flow of the language, but after the early chapters, it descended into a mawkish and misogynistic mess. I intensely disliked - and really objected to - Zafon's depiction of the women in the book and I felt he was really quite cruel to some of them.

Although I thought the writing was quite good, it was really overshadowed for me by the awfulness of the story.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on Strange & Norrell, MFJ. I really liked that.

[My Friend Jack]

It's amazing how different peoples' reactions to books can be.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on Strange & Norrell, MFJ. I really liked that.

It's the differences that make this such a good place to come, especially as we can discuss them without rancour!

I'm only 18 pages in, but already I know I shall enjoy it!

[Momo]

I posted on this pre-The Crash so my original post has been lost in the ether, but my thoughts on it haven't, so here they are again.After your remark, I started digging and found some more:

-----------------------------------
FirelightSpirit 2nd February 2007, 04:29 PM

From reading some of the other posts here I may be stirring things up by being the voice of dissent. In short, I hated it.

Early on, I was prepared for an intriguing mystery and was enjoying how well written it was, but as soon as the women were introduced I began to get outraged very quickly.

Zafon's female characters were one-dimensional, unbelievable and helpless. He was also quite cruel in the way he treated some of them and I couldn't get past how misogynistic it was.

Apart from that, it was like really bad soap opera. I didn't guess who the burnt man was immediately and when I fgured out that little gem, my estimation of the novel dropped still lower. Definitely one I won't be reading again under any amount of persuasion. Not even the good writing could convince me.

---------------------------------------------
Momo 3rd February 2007, 06:25 PM

What a shame. At least you said it was good writing, even if you didn't like the book. That's encouraging.
I loved the book but I can see why some people didn't (don't always do that when I dislike a book). I have heard quite a few people who didn't like this one, so you're not on your own.


---------------------------------------------
FirelightSpririt 5th February 2007, 10:57 AM
Thank you Momo, it's nice that people can agree to disagree so eloquently.

I think you're right in what you said in your post below that if you don't like something you will always find a reason.

[megustaleer]

After your remark, I started digging and found some more:Clever you! I looked, but didn't find anything (probably gave up too soon) What search term did you use?

[Rachel111]

I read this book about two years ago when it first came out. I remember being very intrigued by the mysterious plot and the beautiful descriptions of Barcelona but feeling slightly let down by the ending. A lot of reviews I read said they felt the beginning of the novel made it hard for them to get into the story-line , but I really enjoyed it until two thirds of the way through.

I must re-read it because it's a bit fuzzy in my memory. I haven't heard if he's writing a new novel anytime soon, but I would definitely read it when it comes out.

[Momo]

I haven't heard if he's writing a new novel anytime soon, but I would definitely read it when it comes out.I searched the web for information (in various languages). It doesn't look like he's writing another book at the moment though he has published various youth books before Shadow of the Wind. I'm not sure whether they are translated, though.What search term did you use?Because FirelightSpirit said she had posted on it, I used the following words: "bookgrouponline Shadow Wind FirelightSpirit" That's how I found most of the threads I had posted on.

[FirelightSpirit]

Good for you Momo. I think it's a bit hit and miss sometimes when you're searching and I think what works one day might not necessarily work the next. I know any time I've gone looking for any of my posts pre-crash I haven't found any. It all depends too on how much time you have to spend searching.

[Momo]

Actually, I didn't spend long, I just put in those words I mentioned and it was there. I guess it depends how busy "Google" is at the time.

[A new classic]

I thought this book was entertaining - not brilliant - I liked Fermin - he made me laugh :D ! but I though Daniel was a bit weedy and not really hero material. I am feeling rather dumb as i didn't guess the identity of the 'book burner' until quite late in the book! D'oh! It was also full of cliche's which i didn't think were that great... like victor hugo's pen and he kept mentioning shadow everywhere! argh! Maybe he could have had a dual plot... flashing back to Julians story before we realise Daniels connection to it... with more of a mental kinship between daniel and julian rather than their circumstances being all but the same... like their love of writing? hmm maybe I should write another book lol! having said that I did enjoy the book ... but I think Fermin (and perhaps Fumero -but i dnt like him - he's the BADDIE!! :mad: ) were the best characters!

[LauraLou]

I read this book about a month ago and have really wanted to discuss it, so I'm glad I found this forum.

I liked the book, but there are some things that irritated me. Fermin being one. You feel sympathy of course for what he's been through, but I just found him annoying. It was his obsession with women I think, all the male characters seemed to be really crude, if that's the right word. Fermin seemed to like every woman that came along, constantly on about their figure. Then there was Daniel, how did he suddenly fall in love with Bea? :confused: Hadn't he only spoke to her once and that was to insult her then all of a sudden he was saying how her fiancee didn't deserve her and everything.

I liked the ending and overall I liked the book. There was just this thing about women with all the male characters that was annoying me.

[Hazel]

I read this book about a month ago and have really wanted to discuss it, so I'm glad I found this forum.



Welcome to BGO LauraLou - please head over to Please Introduce Yourself, int he Central Library forum, and tell us a little about you.

[Barblue]

I loved this book. I have been through it twice now. First I listened to it on CD in the car. It was an abridged version, yet still there were six discs to listen to. At times I got confused listening to the names of people and places becuase they are pronounced with their Spanish accent and to my English ear that split second of figuring out who they mean meant Ioften missed the next word or two. However, that improved as my ear adjusted.

Then one of my RL reading groups chose it for this month's read. Reading the names made it much easier to keep concentration. However, I also realised how much was mssing from the CDs. What was missed did not detract from the overall story, but reading it has enriched the texture of the narrative for me. I also found that when reading, I could hear the slight accents (not always Spanish) that the CD reader put to the different characters. Fermin, for example, had an Irish accent and Jacinta's was slightly Cockney (if memory serves). I suppose this gave me an edge when reading because everyone in the book already had a character I had 'heard'.

For me Fermin was the best character in the book. His turn of phrase, his wonderful down-to-earth attitude to life and vitality shone throughout. And let's face it, he did a great deal of the work involved in obtaining information and helping Daniel trace Julian Carax. I have to admit the female characters, except Nuria, were very superficial, but never to the point of annoying me.

I loved the intricacies that the novel took us through. Zafon's descriptive passages are rich indeed. Some here have said gothic, and I suppose that derives from the title of 'Shadow' inferring it will be dark. I lost count of the number of times the words 'shadow' and 'blue' are used in the book. Whilst listening it did not strike me, but seeing the words on the page so many times did irritate initially, until the strength of the story took me over and I could ignore them.

I think if I have any criticism at all it is with the ending. The endless updates of how it all turned out for everybody irritated and did not leave me with any sense of satisfaction. In fact the CD missed out parts of this and I think it was better in the abridged form.

Interestingly for those asking about other books by Zafon; at the end of the CDs, there is an interview with the author recorded for the BBC. Zafon lives in America and apparently wrote four books for young adults before this one. They are actually used in Spanish schools for literary study, so it says. I presume that these are not in translation, which is why we cannot find them. Zafon said he always wanted to write for adults but was almost forced to write the other three teenage books because his first book was so well received.

BYW: MOH stated that this was the best book he has 'read' (he listened in the car with me) for a very long time. Also, a member of my RL reading group made the same statement. Obviously it's all a matter of personal taste and very subjective, but I do think it is a good book as I have already said.

[Momo]

BYW: MOH stated that this was the best book he has 'read' (he listened in the car with me) for a very long time. Also, a member of my RL reading group made the same statement. Obviously it's all a matter of personal taste and very subjective, but I do think it is a good book as I have already said.I have heard a lot of people saying that but I also know people who detested it. I belong to the first group though I wouldn't say it was the best book ever. But it certainly belongs to my top list (of about a hundred books ;)).

[monique]

Phew, I stayed up almost all night to finish the last third of this engrossing, exciting, engaging novel... i would say it belongs to the gothic, romantic, historical thriller genre, with some humour thrown in, so it covers almost everything! Set in Barcelona in the aftermath of the Civil War, we meet a young boy Daniel, and watch him as he goes through his rites of passage, trying to solve a mystery that lies buried in the heart of the city.

As a young boy, Daniel's father takes him to The Cemetery of Forgotton Books to choose one book which he should read, enjoy and treasure. However, Daniel, himself searching for something within him following the loss of his mother, becomes obsessed with the author of the book and the mystery of his strange death.

Daniel, determined to solve this mystery, encountering new friends and foes along the way, does not realise that he is meddling in danger and soon realises his life is in jeopordy as he continues his sleuthing...

As he grows up, encountering adolencence and turning into a young man, his life seems to run parallel with the strange life of the author but events take on dramatic twists for him, resulting in an explosive conclusion...

I found this book slow to begin with, but I persevered, gladly so, and did find it gripping. A lot of it is long-winded and could be cut but the plot is gripping. I especially liked the character of Fermin, with his witty, flowery repartee and loyalty to Daniel.

What does anybody else think?

[megustaleer]

Welcome to BGO, Monique.
I have merged your thread with one that is already in existence. I hope you enjoy the preceding discussion, and that your contribution will reinvigorate it..

Do come and say 'hello' in the Please Introduce Yourself (http://www.bookgrouponline.com/forum/showthread.html?t=727) thread in Central Library, where we can welcome you properly, and can answer any questions you might have about this site.

[louise_jane]

This is my first post and I'd just like to say I absolutely love this book! It made me sad to read some of the comments which said they found it disappointing, but the I suppose everyone has their own tastes.

Like somebody said earlier, I always find it difficult to explain why I like this novel so much. Having some knowledge of Spain and the Civil War helps, but I love the magic of this story. I love books about books and novelists (Kafka on the Shore is another favourite) and the Cemetery of Forgotten Books is such a lovely image I wish I had though of it myself! It is very descriptive and it may take a while to get through, but the end is very interesting and has a fantastic twist. I am very much looking forward to his next work, has anyone heard any news of another Zafon novel?

[Momo]

Unfortunately not. I've been trying to find something about another one for quite a while. If he doesn't come up with another one soon, I might get tempted to read his children's books.

[chuntzy]

Met up with a pal today and discussed this novel, handed out to us at the first meeting of our RL book club in the village. Neither of us enjoyed it.

I forced myself to get through this book so I could join in discussions later but otherwise I'd have soon given up.

The beginning drew me in - the Cemetery of Old Books and other book talk appealing to my 'cultured' side but I soon got bogged down in the very tedious middle section, in the lack of characterisation, the cliches; it was a novel in which a hotchpotch of elements seemed to have been thrown in - Gothic novel, Victorian-type melodrama, modern European history, some sex, some violence etc etc.

I shan't be looking out for any more by this writer.

[sandy82]

A stunning literary thriller in the tradition of Umberto Eco. The discovery of a forgotten book leads to a hunt for an elusive author who may or may not still be alive...

Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the 'cemetery of lost books', a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out 'La Sombra del Viento' by Julian Carax.

But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax's work in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind. A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love, and the places that obsession can lead.
<IMG SRC="http://www.studiotraffic.de/smilies/smiley_cross.gif" border="0" width="1" height="1">


Thanks for this review. I'm gonna buy this book and let you know how I think about it.

[nonsuch]

The beginning drew me in - the Cemetery of Old Books and other book talk appealing to my 'cultured' side but I soon got bogged down in the very tedious middle section, in the lack of characterisation, the cliches; it was a novel in which a hotchpotch of elements seemed to have been thrown in - Gothic novel, Victorian-type melodrama, modern European history, some sex, some violence etc etc.

I shan't be looking out for any more by this writer.

Glad somebody else loathed it. I think I'll put mine on Book-crossing, making a bit of space for a genuine novel rather than pretentious twaddle.

[Momo]

I'm sorry you didn't like it. Well, we all have different tastes.

[triclops]

I bought this book in a secondhand store in Siem Reap - it was suggested to me by a fellow traveller in Cambodia as I was desperately looking for something to fill in the long, bumpy bus rides. I read it because I had nothing else and when I got home shelved it without reading the last....I don't know, maybe 5 pages? I just didn't care. I really tried to like it - and it had redeeming features (the setting, the 'Epic', the tangled storyline, the mystery) - but ultimately I found it cliched and a little too melodramatic - bodice-ripper meets conspiracy theory?

[Radders]

I finished this book a liitle while ago and within the first few pages I was gripped - I loved the idea of the Cemetery for Lost Books but I feel that after that initial reaction things went downhill. The book was by no means awful but I think it became a bit wishy washy. I did still enjoy it but it could have been a fantastic book, especially if the whole book was as magical as those first few pages.

[Momo]

Just but his next novel. Can't wait to read it.

[bobblington]

I've noticed that most reviews are saying it was too simple to solve.

And I have to say that for me Literary genius is not just about not being able to work out the ending of a book. If so 99% of dectective novels stand no chance as my mum always solves them.

Sometimes it is about the style of the writing, the description, the way it captures you and stops you putting it down however simple the plot.

For me this book is something that grabs you and won't let you go, and that was because I was willing to go along for the ride regardless.

[jfp]

As this has been mentioned on another thread, here's a review I posted on amazon back in 2006:

The "runaway word-of-mouth success" of this novel translated from the Spanish has been compared by one critic to that of the now infamous Da Vinci Code.

It tells the story of a young boy, Daniel Sempere, who discovers a book in strange circumstances and becomes caught up in a web of intrigue and mystery surrounding the disappearance of that book's author, a certain Julian Carax. Much of the action is set against the background of the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath.

Zafon's novel is entertaining and a well-crafted page-turner, no doubt about that. But it is decidedly a thrills-and-spills novel for young adults, and for the (anonymous) notes at the back to suggest, as further reading, Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, A.S.Byatt's Possession, Charles Dickens's Great Expectations and Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, is, to say the least, puzzling. To put it bluntly, The Shadow of the Wind is not at all in the same league as those undisputed masterpieces. Its narrative structure is rather artificial, most particularly the ninety pages of a manuscript, written by one of the characters, Nuria Monfort, which (all too) conveniently comes into the possession of the child-narrator following Monfort's death. It is a cumbersome device indeed for allowing Daniel to discover much of what he sets out to understand.

Nor does the reader discover all that much about Barcelona, where the action of the novel is mainly set. Street names and tedious repeated references to ashen skies and grey light are far from enough to conjure the city to life. And the only really convincing character is Fermin, the man with a dubious past, multiple identities, but a heart of gold. [The creation of this character surely owes a debt to Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables?]

The Shadow of the Wind is undoubtedly a good read within its own limitations. The reader is kept entertained, though without being moved.

But what do Margaret Atwood, A.S.Byatt and Umberto Eco think?

[Tay]

Had to give up on this book. Really couldn't get into the characters and wasn't that interested in the story.

I'm wondering if the translation was at fault, I've visited quite a few Spanish cities including Barcelona but the book didn't feel Spanish to me. In fact the novel by C J Sansom (an English writer) Winter in Madrid had a more Spanish resonance to it than the 'Shadow'.

[princessbookworm]

I really loved this book. Someone bought it for me to read on a plane journey and I just couldn't put it down. It was 3 1/2 years ago that I read it and it has stayed with me more than almost any other I've read since. I have bought the sequel but want to read Shadow of the Wind again first as it is a little foggy in my brain. I love re reading a book I loved years later! I remember feeling so sad once it had finished!

[Grammath]

Just finished this on audiobook, a format it lent itself to reasonably well, although I did find myself confusing some of the female characters with one another which, having just now read through this thread, perhaps isn't all that surprising given their relative sketchiness as noted by earlier posters.

Overall, seemed quite typical of the sort of thing Richard & Judy/Amanda Ross used to choose before their move into the outer reaches of TV land rendered them less relevant: long on atmosphere, short on substance.

[Viccie]

long on atmosphere, short on substance.

And that's so true of The Angel's Game, the second of his books to be published here, which I'm really struggling to finish despite it starting brilliantly.

[nonsuch]

I gave up on this one very early in the read. Pretentious and empty, I'm afraid.

[chuntzy]

I gave up on this one very early in the read. Pretentious and empty, I'm afraid.

Ditto.

[Will]

I loved this book and couldn't put it down from when I started reading it. It's so rich in atmosphere, has a cast of memorable characters and a really good sense of mystery pulling it along. Labelling it pretentious seems quite harsh though - maybe it lost something in translation into English that made it a little bit clunky?

I keep meaning to read The Angel's Game too, but not gotten round to it yet.

[nonsuch]

True, one man's meat ...etc, but have you noticed the tendency on BGO of book reviews of a new 'masterpiece' to slump after a year or so? It's as if the initial 5* enthusiasm becomes tarnished as we realise it wasn't really all that good, that the holes others found are, after all, genuine flaws in the fabric.

[Hazel]

Tbut have you noticed the tendency on BGO of book reviews of a new 'masterpiece' to slump after a year or so? It's as if the initial 5* enthusiasm becomes tarnished as we realise it wasn't really all that good, that the holes others found are, after all, genuine flaws in the fabric.Can you point to any examples, nonsuch, as I don't quite understand what you mean?

Do you mean the OP has changed their opinion sometime down the line? Or that subsequent readers have varying opinions that then make the OP reflect on their initial enthusiasm? Or is it simply that in the post-glow of the reding experience, the OP finds that they didn't remember the book as well as they originally thought they might?

Threads that illustrate your point would be helpful.

[Will]

True, one man's meat ...etc, but have you noticed the tendency on BGO of book reviews of a new 'masterpiece' to slump after a year or so? It's as if the initial 5* enthusiasm becomes tarnished as we realise it wasn't really all that good, that the holes others found are, after all, genuine flaws in the fabric.

As I'm brand new around here it's hard to tell, but I was a member of a great online book forum that closed back in '08 (I think) and we did all gush a huge amount about Shadow of the Wind as I recall, but my praise would mostly stand for the book.

I think it sometimes depends if someone's still reading a book also when they're writing about it - for example whilst I was reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke I was totally entranced and when posting about it anywhere online could quote more accurately about scenes that resontated with me, likewise whilst discussing with friends; I really couldn't stop gushing about how awesome it was. Once you've finished and moved it, the 'high' of the book can fade a little I guess, and maybe that's what's happening. I guess this is a kind of book as narcotic analogy (very poor one).

[Freydis]

Guess I fall into the "loved it" category...truly, I couldn't put it down. I'm a fan of cross-genre books, books about books, and books within books anyway. MOH had to give up on whodunits because he could always figure them out halfway through, but maybe I'm a bit thick in that regard...didn't figure out the identify of the burned man until quite a way into the story, being more caught up in the setting, writing style and plot twists and turns. Some have pointed out Ruiz Zafon's misogyny (or, at least, the two-dimensionality of his female characters)...funny, I usually pick up on, and am irritated by, that sort of thing right away, but for some reason it didn't bother me as much in this context. Maybe I chalked it up to the Spanish 1930s-40s setting. And a number of (especially male) writers who otherwise can tell a good story don't limn women well. All in all, I'm with Momo on this one and look forward to trying another of his books.