"The Shadow of the Wind"- Carlos Ruiz Zafon

[catbert836]

It's about a young boy named Daniel, the son of a bookstore owner, living in Barcelona, Spain, whose father one night takes him to a place called The Cemetery of Forgotten Books- a place where bibliophiles have stashed books who are consigned to oblivion for hundreds of years. There, he finds a book entitled "The Shadow of the Wind" by one Julian Carax. He tries to find the authors other works, but finds out that someone has been systematically destroying every book Carax wrote. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax's books in existence. Soon, his quest to find Carax opens a door into Barcelona's darkest secret...

Anyone read it? Recommendations? Discuss.

[derbstyron]

1. I'm reading it now.

I'm only about 25% of the way through it but so far I highly recommend it.

The writing is passionate, funny and wonderful.

It reminds me of The Name of The Rose but with more humor. It's on its way to being one of the best books I've read in years.

I'll keep you posted.

[catbert836]

2. I'm finished with it now.

It's intersting how it ends... Tell me when you're finshed.

[catbert836]

3. Sadly, it seems that

Zafon's masterpiece is almost as unknown as the book in the same title done by Julian Carax.

[Florida Politics]

4. Wonderful Story

I listened to the unabridged CD, it was beautifully read.

If you like this kind of story, you might also enjoy Arturo Perez-Reverte's "The Club Dumas" (which was made into an unsatisfying film) and "The Flanders Panel".

[spindrifter]

8. All of Perez-Reverte's books

are worth reading. And I can't say enough how much I am enjoying Zafon's book, which I had to put down temporarily to read a couple of books for our book club.

[LWolf]

5. I finished it last week,

and recommended it on to my son yesterday.

It's a good read; even if it weren't, an old librarian and lifelong bibliophile like myself could hardly resist The Cemetary of Forgotten Books, or the old bookstore setting.

There is an interesting blend of elements; plenty of suspense and intrigue for the mystery lovers, romance, lust, greed, creepy violence, supernatural inferences, complex characters and plot twists, with an interesting historical setting. I was particularly drawn in with the parallels between Daniel's and Carax' lives.

[Matilda]

6. One of the best books I have ever read.

I've just finished it, and I could read it all over again.

Beautifully written and doesn't seems to have lost anything in translation (by the daughter of
Robert Graves). It has everything - it's a mystery, a thriller, a romance, a comedy and tragedy
all rolled into one mesmerizing book.

One question: why isn't everyone talking about this book?

[Richardo]

7. I've had it recommended to me by a lawyer in my department

I trust her judgement and can't wait to start it.

[flamingyouth]

9. I loved this book.

I think it was the best novel I read in 2005 (and I read a *lot*).

[2bfree]

10. I may be the only person in the world that didn't like it.

I got tired of the over-top-melodrama and thought that the ending was corny. It was okay for a "fun" book but not deep at all.

[catbert836]

11. Yes, you would be

It's one of my all-time favorites. But *grrr* each to their own.

[Killarney]

12. I adored this book!

[Beaverhausen]

13. Ooh- I just started this one. It's my book club pick this month

I like it so far. I'll come back when I'm done.

[WCGreen]

14. I read this book last summer.....

It was wonderful.....

I really enjoyed the story and the writing was flawless.....