The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

TrainofThought · Aug 22, 2006

I read The Shadow of the Wind over a year ago it remaining in my top ten. It inspired me to write along with wanting to go to Barcelona; an all around feel good book. This novel constructs an intimacy with the characters, and provides humorous dialogue.

It is set in 1940’s Barcelona. Daniel Sempere’s dad brings him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a hidden library of discarded books. His father tells him that every new visitor selects a book, adopting and making sure it stays alive. The one Daniel chooses comes alive growing with him from adolescence to adulthood.

I recommend to anyone interested in a book about a book; a boy’s life lessons and dreams; and a boy uniting with his book’s character.

Inkdaub · Aug 23, 2006

I read it less than a month ago. It feels now like one of the best books I have ever read. Fantastic book. I eagerly await more of Zafon's work.

I add my recommendation whole heartedly.

Sesselja · Aug 23, 2006

We're reading this for my local book-club next month. I first read it a year ago, and although I enjoyed it, I didn't think it was all there. There was something missing for me to be able to say this was a really good book. I'll be reading it again soon, to refresh my memory of it in time for the book-club meeting. I'm interested to see if my view on it will change on a second reading.

TrainofThought · Sep 8, 2007

I’m posting the below because I’ve been waiting and wanting this book to be made into a movie. *Sigh* Anyways, I do like Mr. Zafon’s response in making his novel a movie.

B&N.com: There is talk of a movie based on The Shadow of the Wind: rumors about whether or not the rights are up for sale, speculation about whether it will be filmed in Hollywood or in Spain, and questions as to whether you, being both an author and screenwriter, would allow others to write the screenplay. What's your view? What would your choice be?

CRZ: Since I have some experience in this area, I am especially cautious regarding the possibility of a film adaptation. If it is to happen, it will be because I feel the right elements are brought together and I'm persuaded that the adventure is worth a try. But at any rate this is not a priority for me at all. I think it is good that novels stay novels, and that there's no need at all for everything to become a movie, a TV show, a video game, a kiddie meal, or a licensed toy of the month. Nothing can tell a story, convey a world, and render characters with the intensity, depth, and magic that literature allows. The Shadow of the Wind will be always first and foremost a book, and proudly so.

Here is a celebrity discussion regarding The Shadow of the Wind. The discussion is dated 2005, but it’s nice to see celebrities reading and discussing books.

P.S. Mud, I'm waiting for you to finish and discuss.

The Lady · Sep 8, 2007

I read this book about three months ago.
Awesome book.
Just beautiful. Intelligent and emotional and fun. A beautiful thing.

lkp · Sep 8, 2007

I loved this book too.
I suspect I'd avoid a movie made from it. I usually find movies from books I love so disappointing.

TrainofThought · Sep 8, 2007

lkp said:
I loved this book too.
I suspect I'd avoid a movie made from it. I usually find movies from books I love so disappointing.

I normally do too. This is one of my top favorites and I would like to see it played out on the big screen. I've had the scenes in my mind, what the Cemetery of Forgotten Books will look like, a rainy Barcelona, the mysterious Julian Carax and Fermin, one of the funniest characters I've read. I'll have to re-read this one to get me back to writing.

Mud Dauber · Sep 9, 2007

TrainofThought said:
P.S. Mud, I'm waiting for you to finish and discuss.

Don't you worry, my friend. I'm reading (and enjoying) it.

Mr. Anonymous · May 31, 2010

I'm over 3/4 of the way done and, unless he does something crazy with the ending, it will likely go down as one of my favorite books. I'm going to be studying abroad next spring and during my time off I'd like to catch a train to Barcelona - mostly because of this book.

autumnleaf · Jun 1, 2010

Absolutely one of my favourite books!

Has anyone read The Angel's Game? Does it compare at all to TSOTW?

Hip-Hop-a-potamus · Jun 2, 2010

I just saw this for the first time at Chapters a couple weeks ago, and it looked amazing.

I've been on an enforced book moratorium since hubby and I are living on one income. I'm hoping I might find it used somewhere. But if everyone loves it this much, it won't happen! I'll have to wait until I get a job. Good to know it's as good as it looked.

Combine history and mystery and I'm there. Always. Plus, between Gaudi architecture and stuffing myself on tapas, I already want to go to Spain.

Mr. Anonymous · Jun 2, 2010

Hip-hop-a-potamus

You can buy it on Amazon, for as low as 5.42 new, 1.70 used (plus a few dollars for shipping.) I regularly buy used books from Amazon venders and have yet to be disappointed.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...aps&field-keywords=shadow+of+the+wind&x=0&y=0

mccardey · Jun 2, 2010

Adorable book. I loved it.

rosiroo · Jun 3, 2010

I am currently reading "The Angels Game", by the same author- and that is wonderful. Shadow of the Wind is looking at me from a few feet away, and I intend to get stuck into that asap.

MsGneiss · Jun 9, 2010

I thoroughly enjoyed Shadow of the Wind. It was wonderful in all the important ways. Sadly, The Angel's Game did not live up to my expectations, which were very high, but I'll read whatever else this author publishes.

Mr. Anonymous · Jun 19, 2010

So I finished The Shadow of the Wind and personally, for me, the ending was a bit of a let-down. Still a wonderful book though. And I finished reading Angel's Game a few days ago - I think overall, maybe I like it a little more than The Shadow of the Wind, actually. What really tips it for me is that I felt the ending to Angel's Game was very fitting - a combination of sad, hopeful, beautiful, etc, whereas the ending to The Shadow of the Wind felt like a bit of a cop-out to me. My only issue with Angel's Game, really, was that...

SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
AC is never really explained. I'm thinking maybe he might've been the devil but I don't like to be forced into guessing. I feel like Zafon really should've addressed that.

whimsical rabbit · Aug 16, 2010

Is, and will forever remain, in my top five.

Thank you for this thread. :e2flowers

Hip-Hop-a-potamus · Aug 25, 2010

I actually found a copy at Value Village for around 3 bucks. I was thrilled! Just finished it a week or two ago. I thought it was amazing.

I don't know if it was the writing alone, or if the translation helped a hundredfold, but the language was superlative.

Eddyz Aquila · Apr 10, 2011

Digging up this old thread, I was in a bookshop the other day and picked it up by chance, I was immediately hooked in the beginning but as I skimmed through it I found the violence scenes a little gratuitous.

Heartily recommended? Should I buy it?

Mr. Anonymous · Apr 10, 2011

heartily recommended. the violence never felt gratuitous to me, and the violent scenes are only a very small part of the book anyway. And, don't take this the wrong way, but why in the world would you skim? Doesn't that ruin it for you?

Eddyz Aquila · Apr 10, 2011

Mr. Anonymous said:
heartily recommended. the violence never felt gratuitous to me, and the violent scenes are only a very small part of the book anyway. And, don't take this the wrong way, but why in the world would you skim? Doesn't that ruin it for you?

I was in the bookshop, after reading the first chapter I just chose different chapters to see how the rest of the book was.

gothicangel · Apr 11, 2011

Eddyz Aquila said:
Digging up this old thread, I was in a bookshop the other day and picked it up by chance, I was immediately hooked in the beginning but as I skimmed through it I found the violence scenes a little gratuitous.

Heartily recommended? Should I buy it?

Highly recommended, echoes of Dickens for me.

Eddyz Aquila · Aug 10, 2011

Bought the other day, once I finish Game of Thrones this will be my next.

Eddyz Aquila · Sep 5, 2011

Halfway through, brilliant book. Fermin made me laugh out loud countless times.

Mr. Anonymous · Sep 5, 2011

Eddyz Aquila said:
Halfway through, brilliant book. Fermin made me laugh out loud countless times.

told ya. xP Fermin is hilarious.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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