<p>When I was reading various reviews of The Shadow of the Wind online, I came across one reviewer whose complaint was “too many characters—hard to keep them all straight.” I disagree! I loved the rich cast of characters, from Isaac at the Cemetery of Forgotten books to the um, “needy” old man at the nursing home. Each one stood out in her or her own way. </p>
<p>One of the peripheral characters that I liked, but who puzzled me a bit at the end was Tom</p>
<p>^ Typo above, too late to edit: “his or her own way” not “her or her own way”. Must have been the feminist coming out in me…:)</p>
<p>Kept waiting for April 10 and the beginning of the discussion on Shadow of the Wind – and then missed it! LOL! Anyway, I like the book a lot. It’s one of the few books that I’ve read twice within a fairly short time. There’s so much detail and sub-stories, and all those interesting characters … </p>
<p>Not to completely shift the discussion, but I have to say one of my favorite things in the book is the “Library of Forgotten Books.” Just the thought of such a place is so cool! I’ve also read Zafon’s newest book, The Angel’s Game, which is sort of a prequel to this one. The “Library” is also in that book.</p>
<p>Another thing – did anyone else finish this book and wonder if the sun EVER shines in Barcelona? Seems like a move version would have to be shot completely in the fog/dark/rain/cold.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=Mary13]
I wonder if Carlos Ruiz Zaf</p>
<p>Just returned from little apartment hunting excursion to Chicago for my soon to graduate son, and missed the 10th start date. </p>
<p>I am glad I read this book, but had trouble with it at times.
It felt overly complicated, with parallel love story plots, too many complex characters, and too long.
The book itself, made me think I had entered the dark, cavernous, matrix like the “Cemetery of forgotten books”, an endless dark maze. </p>
<p>I was relieved to have Nuria’s manuscript to tie it all up, but it felt like an easy way for the author to make sense of the "other worlds’ he created.
And, unlike “The Help”, I didn’t get a sense of “voice” from Nuria, read too much like Daniel a continuation of Daniel’s narrative. </p>
<p>So, I agree with your critique, Mary, about Zafron’s use of the manuscript to tie up the story. This was a weakness with the book. </p>
<p>Ignatius good job of listing all those complicated relationships! And, perhaps someone more familiar with Freud could help sort it all out. Clearly, Daniel was searching for his forgotten mother, and in his near death experience reconciled this dilemma. </p>
<p>Fermin and Miguel were enlightened characters. </p>
<p>Fumero, disturbed me. I don’t understand that kind of sadism. Within a few days of reading this I had finished reading House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende, and Esteban Garcia, was an identical character. Sadistic, seeking revenge- torturer!
Then, I read, Girl with a Dragon Tattoo- with way too much sadistic violence. </p>
<p>So, by the time I got to the Fumero character, I was exhausted by these angry men, and the author’s who wrote them. </p>
<p>One last little comment- did anyone find the overuse of the word “shadow” —strange ?</p>
<p>^ SJChessMom, you were in my stomping ground! I hope you had success apartment hunting. Does your son have a job waiting for him in Chicago or were you getting him settled for graduate school?</p>
<p>Re The Shadow of the Wind:</p>
<p>I liked the overly complicated aspect—what I mean is, it was like a jigsaw puzzle and I enjoyed putting the pieces in the right place. </p>
<p>As for Fumero, when we were first introduced to him, and especially when we learned about his painful childhood, I thought maybe he would be sympathetic in some way—sort of like Inspector Javert in Les Miserables. But he ended up being simply evil through and through. I didn’t like the violence, either. </p>
<p>What exactly was Fumero’s motive? Why was he relentlessly pursuing–unto death–the only people who had ever shown him any kindness? I know he was infatuated with Penelope and jealous of Julian, but still, it doesn’t seem like enough to nourish such horrifying hatred. </p>
<p>I also noticed the frequent use of the word “shadow.” So much for Sunny Spain! I chalked it up to the author wanting to drive home a recurring motif (sorry, I think I just mixed some metaphors there).</p>
<p>Just googled and found this online book review, and the reviewer discusses the book- the use of shadow as metaphor in the book:</p>
<p>"Wrapped up in the mystery is a message of death:
do we live a full life or wander through it numb? </p>
<p>The Shadow of the Wind is an allegory for death in a fictitious novel by the same title. </p>
<p>Shadow is a perfect symbol for death evoking images of how death can be metaphorical instead of literal—
living shadows of lives,
chasing shadows of dreams,
being shadows of others,
letting memories shadow life.
Every character had shadows which could engulf them or they could overcome. </p>
<p>In this sense death becomes a fate we chose ourselves. For death is not always the worst thing that can happen (“words are not always the worst prison”).</p>
<p>Every time the word shadow was used I considered its illusion of death. It was with much thought that the word was scattered throughout the book. "</p>
<p>For anyone interested in the specific places in Barcelona, mentioned in the book, check out this web link- interactive map of the Shadow in The Wind -
Also, interesting interview with Zafron-and, the book </p>
<p>But, here’s a map -
[The</a> Shadow of the Wind - Walk around Barcelona](<a href=“http://www.carlosruizzafon.co.uk/shadow-walk.html#]The”>http://www.carlosruizzafon.co.uk/shadow-walk.html#)</p>
<p>^ I think I would have to actually read the book while in Barcelona to benefit from the map. By the time I ever get there, the details of Daniel’s adventures will be long gone from my sorry brain. </p>
<p>Here’s another interview with Ruiz Zaf</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>A mix of infatuation, jealousy, obsession, hatred, cruelty, power and evil. Fumero stumbles across Julian’s trail again at a time when he can indulge himself by harassing, humiliating, hurting others. Julian remains unfinished business - and allows Fumero to hurt so many others at the same time.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I agree. IMO the on line reviewer (mentioned above) with his shadow/symbol of death analysis got a mite carried away.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I liked Shadow of the Wind and am glad I read it also. However, I also had trouble at times. I mentioned already that the third person narratives - mini-biographies - bothered me. I found myself frustrated when Daniel and Fermin find Jacinta and an italicized section begins with Jacinta’s birth, childhood, marriage, etc. told in third person. Jacinta adds to the story, but I didn’t need to learn so much about her - and if she herself spoke, she wouldn’t have started with her early life.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Love the quote, Mary. I feel Zafon’s respect for books and readers throughout the novel: the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, the used bookstore as home base, the desire to write on the part of many characters, …</p>
<p>Some of what others have mentioned about a complicated plot, lots of characters, sub-plots, etc. is what made my 2nd reading OK. I’m not usually one to read a book multiple times, but it worked for this one. I had read it after a friend recommended it, and then again, about 2+ years later, for my RL book club – after I recommended it!</p>
<p>Oh, and apologies for calling it the “Library of Forgotten Books.” LOL! I guess even 2 readings wasn’t enough for me to remember that it’s the “Cemetary of Forgotten Books.” :)</p>
<p>Not sure I’d like a movie version – seems like too much would have to be left out.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I can see rereading Shadows of the Wind - and I seldom reread.</p>
<p>I like how Daniel not only saves his chosen book from obscurity - but also saves its author.</p>
<p>Like the mythological phoenix, Carax (and his book) rise from the ashes - in this case, almost literally:</p>
<p>*Daniel finds his book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. </p>
<p>*Carax reduces his published works to ashes, burning himself in the process.</p>
<p>*As Shadow of the Wind ends, a reborn Carax writes once again - with his published works finding their way back into print.</p>
<p>Can Daniel now pick another book to rescue? :)</p>
<p>^ If not Daniel himself, at least we know from the last page that his son is about to choose a book.</p>
<p>I love the name “Cemetery of Forgotten Books.” I’d like to hang it on my front door. I’ve got shelves upon shelves and can’t bring myself to get rid of any book, so Hop on Pop sits right there beside The Count of Monte Cristo, The Babysitters Club, Pride and Prejudice and Go Dog Go. No Juli</p>
<p>
I liked both books. Both are involved, somewhat complicated stories with lots of characters. “The Angel’s Game” is more mystical/supernatural/darker (not sure if those are the right words) in some of the events of the story. Also, when I started the book, I had read that it was a sort of prequel to “Shadow,” so I thought the characters were from the generation immediately preceding those in “Shadow.” It took me a while to figure out “Angels” takes place 2 generations before “Shadow.” (I think I have that right – I read "Angels about 6 months ago and could probably benefit from a re-read!) Here’s an interview with Zafon:</p>
<p>*Carlos Ruiz Zafón on The Angel’s Game</p>
<p>Years ago, when I began working on my fifth novel, The Shadow of the Wind, I started toying around with the idea of creating a fictional universe that would be articulated through four interconnected stories in which we would meet some of the same characters at different times in their lives, and see them from different perspectives where many plots and subplots would tie around in knots for the reader to untie. It sounds somewhat pretentious, but my idea was to add a twist to the story and provide the reader with what I hoped would be a stimulating and playful reading experience. Since these books were, in part, about the world of literature, books, reading and language, I thought it would be interesting to use the different novels to explore those themes through different angles and to add new layers to the meaning of the stories.</p>
<p>At first I thought this could be done in one book, but soon I realized it would make Shadow of the Wind a monster novel, and in many ways, destroy the structure I was trying to design for it. I realized I would have to write four different novels. They would be stand-alone stories that could be read in any order. I saw them as a Chinese box of stories with four doors of entry, a labyrinth of fictions that could be explored in many directions, entirely or in parts, and that could provide the reader with an additional layer of enjoyment and play. These novels would have a central axis, the idea of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, set against the backdrop of a highly stylized, gothic and mysterious Barcelona. Since each novel was going to be complex and difficult to write, I decided to take one at a time and see how the experiment evolved on its own in an organic way.</p>
<p>It all sounds very complicated, but it is not. At the end of the day, these are just stories that share a universe, a tone and some central themes and characters. You dont need to care or know about any of this stuff to enjoy them. One of the fun things about this process was it allowed me to give each book a different personality. Thus, if Shadow of the Wind is the nice, good girl in the family, The Angels Game would be the wicked gothic stepsister. Some readers often ask me if The Angels Game is a prequel or a sequel. The answer is: none of these things, and all of the above. Essentially The Angels Game is a new book, a stand-alone story that you can fully enjoy and understand on its own. But if you have already read The Shadow of the Wind, or you decide to read it afterwards, youll find new meanings and connections that I hope will enhance your experience with these characters and their adventures.</p>
<p>The Angels Game has many games inside, one of them with the reader. It is a book designed to make you step into the storytelling process and become a part of it. In other words, the wicked, gothic chick wants your blood. Beware. Maybe, without realizing, I ended up writing a monster book after all… Dont say I didnt warn you, courageous reader. Ill see you on the other side. --Carlos Ruiz Zafón*</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I liked both books, but I liked The Shadow of the Wind better. I first read The Angel’s Game and then The Shadow of the Wind. However, I recommend reading Shadow of the Wind first.</p>
<p>In The Angel’s Game:</p>
<p>Sempere and Sons bookshop - owned by Daniel’s grandfather and, yes, Daniel’s father as a young man</p>
<p>The Cemetery of Forgotten Books - Daniel’s grandfather takes writer David Martin to the Cemetery of Lost Books.</p>
<p>A young girl Isabelle (age 17) befriends the writer David Martin, ends up working at Sempere and Sons, marries the son - and becomes Daniel’s mother.</p>
<p>The end of The Angel’s Game contains the segment that starts The Shadow of the Wind: the rainy funeral where Sempere and his young son Daniel bury Isabelle. The four-year-old Daniel asks his father if the angels are crying.</p>
<p>That said, Daniel’s father plays a minor part in The Angel’s Game. He is good man - as is the grandfather - in an evil world. Zafon describes him as physically gorgeous and almost saintly.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE=CBBBlinker]
The Angel’s Game has many games inside, one of them with the reader. It is a book designed to make you step into the storytelling process and become a part of it. In other words, the wicked, gothic chick wants your blood. Beware. Maybe, without realizing, I ended up writing a monster book after all… Don’t say I didn’t warn you, courageous reader. I’ll see you on the other side. --Carlos Ruiz Zaf</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yikes–I’m pretty sure it’s not for me then! It sounds fascinating, but I think The Shadow of the Wind has supplied me with my year’s quota of evil. </p>
<p>Speaking of such things…We’ve talked about Fumero and his “heart of darkness,” but what about Don Ricardo Aldaya? The man sat and listened while his teenage daughter, in labor, “shrieked and scratched at the locked door” and ultimately ended up “lying dead in a pool of her own blood, hugging a shining, purple-colored baby.” And given the strange, vacant behavior of Penelope’s mother…well, let’s just say there was clearly some good old gothic madness in Penelope and Jorge’s bloodline.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No, no, no!!! I now feel like I’ve inched The Angel’s Game closer to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. 
I did like it - just know it’s darker.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Certainly the Aldaya mansion has all the necessary Gothic elements.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s for sure! Here’s what the Carlos Ruiz Zaf</p>
<p>Looking through the discussion questions:</p>
<p>
[quote]
#3. Nuria Monfort’s dying words, meant for Juli</p>
<p>I really enjoy reading all of the comments and would like to mention that the audio book version read by Jonathan Davis is well done. The spanish words flow so beautifully through the story. </p>
<p>That said, (I just finished the 6th disc of 14 total) after reading this discussion have decided to stop listening and move on to another book. I find the male characters very interesting and agree that the females are not developed. I don’t really have a driving need to hear more. Also am not interested in more of the sadistic character. I do like the dark, gothic environment for the story-completely opposite of my memories of sunny Spain.</p>