The Shadow of the Wind: A must for your reading list
Oh. My. Goodness.
That's what I kept saying to myself as I was reading this incredible book. And when I was thinking about the title I would write for this review, I toyed with 'a modern classic', 'unforgettable' and even that corny old 'couldn't put it down' but, that certain phrase kept coming back to mind. 'Oh my goodness, what a book'.
Those other descriptions are true though
It certainly is a modern and unforgettable classic, plus there are a lot of additional superlatives that ran through my head. But suffice it to say that in my lifetime of reading, which must encompass hundreds if not thousands of books, this has gone onto my top four favourites list. The others are below.
Come with me on a timeless journey to Barcelona.
Travel to the middle of the twentieth century; to a humble bookshop in the Gothic Quarter. Meet incredible characters who will make you laugh and cry. Wonder at the mysteries, the histories, the tragedies, the revenges and the passions.
Enjoy adventure, mystery & romance
Probably one of the best ways for me to tell you about the power of this book is this: Have you ever read a book which you've read quickly and eagerly to find out how the book will end? The story has your attention so much that you're almost devouring the book. And have you ever read a book slowly and savoured every delicious work and phrase? This fabulous book is both.
Take time off to read
I have only done this with three other books. I'm pretty strict about my working time and schedule - and my reading time. There have only ever been three books before that have made me take time from my working hours to read. Now, that has been increased to four. Yep, I genuinely couldn't put it down.
Don't read other reviews
Don't be tempted to read the Amazon reviews of this book - there are over a thousand. I haven't read them all but the majority of reviewers there loved the book. But there are spoilers. There are several people who simply don't understand the book. And when someone describes it as 'grate' I'm bound to worry.
Now I want to read everything by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
If you don't hear from me for a while, you know what I'll be doing. After my experience with The Shadow of the Wind, I am ordering all Zafon's books.
More firm favourites
I have been wondering what my favourite books have in common.
Partly, it's a mystical (and mysterious) - quality.
Also in part, the way the authors manage to draw me in by their language.
We all use words every day and take them for granted, but the writers mentioned on this page have a flair for prose that few can match.
Many of the professional reviewers have compared The Shadow of the Wind to this book. Knowing it as well as I do, there are some amazing similarities but reviewers were in error to compare the two.
If you haven't read the book you see on the left, then I recommend it heartily.As with all my favourites, it is a combination of joy and tragedy with more than a hint of mystery.
This may seem to be very different to the books described above but has the same excellent prose, incredible characters and a mysterious plotline.
Set in England, the book starts in the nineteen fifties and tells of an ordinary family living an 'ordinary' life.But like the other books I've talked about here, nothing is quite as it seems.
Is this book for you? Learn more
Undecided?
Are you not sure if this book is for you? Watch the video to get a glimpse of what you will read. I think this book will amaze you.
Comparisons
One of the reasons I bought this book was a comment on the back cover.
A reviewer had said that it was similar to Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.
As you've seen above, that is one of my favourite books. Probably my overall favourite, in fact.
Are they similar? I wrote an article comparing the two. See it here.
© 2014 Jackie Jackson
Guestbook
AUTHOR@Merrci: Then I think you'll love it. It starts when a young boy is taken to the secret 'cemetery of books' and the story concerns the book he chooses and its mysterious author. I recommend reading it at a time when you can dip into it often - such as on vacation. If you leave it for a few days, you'll forget details of the intricate plot :)
It does sound like an interesting book! It's on my list now, though I will have to move it up some I think. There is something about books that include bookstores or books that are so appealing.
