The Shadow of the Wind

by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Shadow of the Wind cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Mystery
Technical:
  • ID: 1552
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9780753819319
  • Publisher: Orion
  • Published: 2004-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Hidden within the labyrinthine 'cemetery of lost books' in Barcelona, 10-year-old Daniel Sempere discovers a forgotten novel that will change his life forever. As he grows older, he becomes entangled in a web of intrigue surrounding the book's enigmatic author, Julian Carax, and the sinister figure determined to destroy every copy of Carax's work./n/nThe Shadow of the Wind is a gripping tale that blends mystery, romance, and historical fiction, set against the backdrop of post-Civil War Barcelona. It explores themes of love, obsession, and the power of literature to shape lives, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats with its intricate plot and vivid characters.

Reviews
Reddit - Recommended Books · 2025-10-08
amazing 5.00

The book is beautiful in vision and language, heartbreaking, thrilling, and utterly amazing. The English translation is stunning.

The reviewer was captivated by the beautiful vision and language of the book, finding it heartbreaking, thrilling, and utterly amazing. They particularly praised the English translation, which they found stunning. The reviewer was deeply moved by the story and its emotional impact, highlighting its beauty and the skillful translation that brought the narrative to life.

Quick quotes

    It's beautiful in vision and language, heartbreaking, thrilling, and utterly amazing—even the English translation is simply STUNNING.

    The book captivated me with its emotional depth and beauty.

    The English translation is stunning and brings the narrative to life.

YvetteCarol's Blog · Yvette Carol · 2024-02-15
entertaining 4.50

The story is multi-tiered and entertaining, told in an old-fashioned style that feels like a grandparent sharing a tale. It is a coming-of-age story with many facets.

Yvette Carol loved the multi-tiered and many-faceted nature of the story, which is told in an old-fashioned, entertaining style reminiscent of a grandparent sharing a tale. She found the coming-of-age elements particularly engaging and appreciated the rich storytelling. The reviewer enjoyed the blend of genres and the nostalgic feel of the narrative, making it a unique and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    A multi-tier, many-faceted story within a coming-of-age story, told in an old-fashioned entertaining way as if a grandparent were telling a tale.

    The story is rich and engaging, with a nostalgic feel.

    The blend of genres makes the narrative unique and enjoyable.

The Guardian · 2004-06-06
disappointing 3.00

The novel is atmospheric and beguiling but ultimately falls short of the magic promised in its early chapters. The writing is engaging, but the story lacks depth.

The reviewer found the book to be atmospheric and thoroughly readable, with a beguiling narrative that draws the reader in. However, they felt that the story ultimately lacks the depth and magic promised in its early chapters. The writing is engaging, but the plot does not fully deliver on its initial promise. The reviewer appreciates the effort but feels that the book could have been more impactful with a stronger conclusion.

Quick quotes

    Zafón's novel is atmospheric, beguiling and thoroughly readable, but ultimately lacks the magic its early chapters promise.

    The writing is engaging, but the story lacks depth.

    The book falls short of the magic promised in its early chapters.

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