Wow. I just finished reading Carlos Ruiz Zafon's novel and it was amazing. It had a bit of everything in it - funny moments, sad moments, mystery, crime, history... And the language! It is so beautfully written - I'm not usually blown away by language, more often by the general style, but this is just so good. It's originally in Spanish but I can't imagine anything better than the translation by Lucia Graves (daughter of the poet Robert Graves).The story is about so many things and so many people that it's hard to describe it here. It is set in Franco's Spain and starts with a visit to the Cemetary of Forgotten Books in Barcelona - from there it takes the reader on a journey through the intertwined lives of many wonderful characters.
This is one you shouldn't miss out on, really. I don't know what took me so long to get to it.
Challenges: Historical Fiction, A-Z Challenge, Chunkster Challenge, Raved About Reads
9 comments:
I agree. We read this for my book club awhile back -- I loved it!
I imagine this would be great for a book club - so much to discuss!
This was, and still is, one of my absolute favorites. One of the books I would definitely grab first in a fire, thats for sure!
I've heard a lot of good things about this book, just haven't got around to reading it yet. I'll have to check this out next time!
This is one of my favourite books ever as well! I can't wait to get to read the next book by this author once it comes out in English next year.
So glad to hear you loved this! It's a favorite of mine. I have another of his books (in Spanish) which I've not seen translated here but just haven't had the chance to get to it. I understand Shadow of the Wind is part of a trilogy though... Can you imagine?
Totally agree my dear!
This is still a favourite of mine too. As you said, beautiful language, great story ... who said the gothic novel is dead?
I notice the latest reprints now include a bit of a "literary tourist" map of Barcelona, so fans visiting the city can find some of the book's landmarks.
Have read anything else by this author?
j.c. - it is seems to be on top of many lists!
melody - make time for this one, really, you won't regret it.
marg - ooh, i didn't know that was coming out this year, thanks!
iliana - I think the trilogy refers to three books set in three Spanish cities or something like that, from what I understood the others won't be about the same characters though... I can't wait to read the next one anyway!
dimitris - how nice to see you on here! :-)
paula - that would be so much fun, checking barcelona out from this point of view. Definitely something to think about!
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