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.

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.

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.

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.