The Shadow of the Wind – April CC Book Club Selection

Parent Cafe
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<p>^ Oh dear, Ellis, I feel kind of bad! This thread now seems to have inched both The Angel’s Game and the The Shadow of the Wind closer to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books! I hope we’re not developing into a subversive anti-book book club. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Thanks for the info about the audio book. I have yet to find the right setting to listen to audio books because they require more time than reading. I tried listening in the car, but it made me drowsy (not good since I’m the driver). But I have a friend who greatly prefers audio books to the paper version—she is an artist and listens while she paints.</p>

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<p>LOL…I’m not sure myself—Like you, I read and re-read that sentence.</p>

<p>But I’ll give it a shot…Let’s put Nuria’s words into context:</p>

<p>Nuria: “Juli</p>

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<p>^^^ Well done, Mary.
I think you explained that quote so well, and I’m glad that Ignatius brought it up again. </p>

<p>Seems like the two truly “loving” characters in the book, Nuria and Miguel, were in “prisons worse that words”, living day to day, knowing that their love, would never be reciprocated.</p>

<p>At least Julian, lived life with the “dream” that had things worked out differently,
he had found his “soul mate”—(oblivious that she was his sister).</p>

<p>On the topic of imprisonment, Penelope’s death was just so horrific!
If Zafron, refers to Shadows of the Wind as the “good sister”, in his trilogy, I can not imagine how dark Angels Dreams, must be, and not a book I will read. </p>

<p>Does Zafron, continue to portray women as either “madonna vs whore” mentality in the second book? I think this man has issues…</p>

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<p>Good point. And there you have a prison far worse than words.</p>

<p>So imprisonment appears to be another powerful recurring motif. We already have Julian, Penelope and Nuria (who, by the way, ends her letter to Daniel with, “When you read these words, the prison of memories, it will mean that I will no longer be able to say good-by to you as I would have wished, that I will not be able to ask you to forgive us, especially Julian, and to take care of him when I am no longer there to do so.”) </p>

<p>And then there is Fermin, who describes being thrown into a “pitch dark cell, with no water or ventilation,” the first of many arrests by Fumero. “I’ve forgotten how long I spent in prison,” he tells Daniel. “After the first year, one begins to lose everything, even one’s mind.”</p>

<p>And there is also Miquel, whom Nuria lies about:</p>

<p>Daniel: “Is your husband away?”</p>

<p>Nuria: “Miquel is in prison.”</p>

<p>And isn’t the place where the elderly Jacinta is housed as good as a prison? The warden-like Sister Hortensia leads Fermin and Daniel into “what appeared to be a cell with no ventilation or light, at the end of a narrow passage.”</p>

<p>Prisons are another one of those images, like the shadows, that seem to be everywhere in the book once you start looking for them.</p>

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<p>^^^ Good point, Mary13 – prisons and shadows. </p>

<p>As for Zafon “having issues” – I often find myself wondering how authors of complex stories like this come up with the plot line in the first place. Do their minds works differently than mine? What motivates them to write these stories?</p>

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<p>Sorry? Maybe we need to refocus the discussion a bit, because I think most of us liked the book. For my part, I like the setting - Barcelona in the 40s - with the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and Sempere and Son Bookshop. I like the male characters - even the ones I don’t like (Fumero). The mystery ties together beautifully in the end - and overall, the ending pleased me. I particularly like the premise of the book written by the mysterious Carax - and the need to save it.</p>

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<p>I download audio books from our library e-site to my ipod. I listen while I walk. I enjoy revisiting books more than I do new books. I can allow my mind to wander for a minute or two.</p>

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[QUOTE=Mary13]

Let’s put Nuria’s words into context:</p>

<p>Nuria: “Juli</p>

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<p>Yes, I definitely liked it! I think that when we have our book discussions, we end up “dissecting” the work, which is as it should be. But perhaps when we take it apart like that—scrutinizing character development, plot logistics, historical accuracy, and so on, the discussions may come across as being overly critical. Yet the fact is, I’ve enjoyed every book we’ve read over the past year–and scouring each work for both the genius and the flaws is great fun.</p>

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<p>^^^^So much fun that I am ready to sink my teeth into the next novel! So, what are we reading next? I have “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “House Rules” (by Jodi Picoult) on my desk ready to be opened…or I will get whatever you guys suggest. I love new material.</p>

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<p>Good, good observations. While I’m the kid who blows the essay question - despite reading the book - Mary’s the one who breaks the curve. Maybe she’ll let me study with her. :)</p>

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<p>The women seem stronger in The Angel’s Game. David loves Christina and she loves him back - though like The Shadow of the Wind, the course of true love does not run smoothly.</p>

<p>Isabel is 17 to David’s early 30s and she attaches to him like a leech. He’s a writer; she wants to write. Nothing untoward happens - and the friendship over time runs true and deep. Anyway, he steers her toward the Sempere and Son Bookshop and she marries the son. Isabelle becomes Daniel’s mother.</p>

<p>I liked The Angel’s Game. I found it scary - though the level of cruelty was not as high as in The Shadow of the Wind. Andreas Corelli has no need to be cruel - let’s just say he’s the root of all evil. Actually, as a bit of a spoiler, I’ll say that he is the “angel” of The Angel’s Game - though his Father kicked him out of his house - consider him the “fallen angel.” </p>

<p>Gothic house - yes - I wanted to pick David Martin up by the scruff of his neck and move him out. Solid mystery - yes - though all things don’t need to fall into place with these particular players in the game.</p>

<p>One thing I noticed: in both The Angel’s Game and The Shadow of the Wind the books taken from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books are returned with the hopes they remain there - though for different reasons.</p>

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<p>Could someone tell me what “Shadow of the Wind” — means. It’s beautiful, as is Zafon’s writing, but I can’t quite grasp this meaning of this title. </p>

<p>ignatius-(and, others) you might enjoy this clip, Zafon and an interviewer casually chatting about The Angel’s Game at a Borders Bookstore.
During the interview he speaks about The Angel’s Game, as a book which challenges the reader MORE, than Shadow of the Wind!
I am happy to read that Angel’s Game does not have as much cruelty/ horror as SOTW,because Zafon is an amazing writer (the best we have read thus far), but his misogynist attitude frustrates me. Glad to hear,from you, Ignatius, that you didn’t find this so much in the Angel’s Game!!!</p>

<p>[YouTube</a> - Carlos Ruiz Zafon talks about The Angel’s Game - Part 1](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fbYcP_TpIo]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fbYcP_TpIo)</p>

<p>These book discussions always motivate me to learn more about the books, for instance, I read about the Spanish Civil War,
the backdrop for Zafon’s book,
and conclude Fumero’s character, his ruthlessness and tyranny, were reflective of the horrors of that episode in Spain’s history.</p>

<p>A copy of Picasso’s Quernica, rests on the table in my den a constant reminder of the horror of the Spanish Civil war, of ALL WARS.</p>

<p>I did NOT know how many died during this war:
"Available information suggests that there were about 500,000 deaths from all causes during the Spanish Civil War. An estimated 200,000 died from combat-related causes. Of these, 110,000 fought for the Republicans and 90,000 for the Nationalists. This implies that 10 per cent of all soldiers who fought in the war were killed.</p>

<p>It has been calculated that the Nationalist Army executed 75,000 people in the war whereas the Republican Army accounted for 55,000. These deaths takes into account the murders of members of rival political groups. "</p>

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<p>You’ve already earned some serious extra credit points just for showing up! I think this is our smallest “class” yet. :)</p>

<p>The Cemetery of Forgotten Books left me with the feeling that it was capable of unleashing an endless number of adventures. Daniel didn’t luck into THE book there—in fact, ANY book removed from those shelves would take the owner on some sort of magical escapade. Zaf</p>

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<p>Well, I’ve admittedly spent too many years lugging my kids to and from Bible School, but I interpreted the title as a reference to Proverbs (11:29):</p>

<p>“Those who bring trouble on their families will inherit the wind.”</p>

<p>Somehow that poetic–and cryptic–Old Testament quote seems to fit the novel well. And in Zafon’s story, this wind brings with it nothing but death…”the valley of the Shadow of death” as it is called in Psalm 23. Maybe it’s a stretch, but Zaf</p>

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<p>^^^And, didn’t Zafon attend a Jesuit elementary school, so it makes perfect sense!
Well done, Mary (again)- thank you!!! thank you!!
I just picked up the book, and turned to the last line- (which I didn’t’ recall)…the endless repetition of one generation’s effect on the next…but, this time the tragedies have been prevented. This generation had a happy ending.</p>

<p>“Soon afterward, like figures made of steam, father and son disappear into the crowd of the Ramblas, their steps lost forever in the shadow of the wind.”</p>

<p>Regarding the size of our discussion group this time:</p>

<p>Mary you wrote:“You’ve already earned some serious extra credit points just for showing up! I think this is our smallest “class” yet”</p>

<p>I see that there are over 1,000 views of this thread, which makes me believe there are many others out there who have read this book, but aren’t chiming in,perhaps they were busy last weekend and will now be catching up.
This is a "shout out"to all of you out there, we would love to hear from you. </p>

<p>One last thing about the book.
I recently read and participated in a small book discussion about Isabel Allende’s “House of Spirits”-which had so many similarities to this book, even a character named Clara. </p>

<p>Allende weaves “Mystical Realism” into her writing, as does Zafon, although many reviewers call his style “Magical Realism”- I assume these are the same. Didn’t we experience some of this style in the 13th Tale? </p>

<p>My question to you is this?
During one of the final chapters, Daniel is in the hospital, and the pen magically taken by Julian.
It was a tidy way to resolve the story,but do you like it?
I had to reread that chapter a couple of times. I liked it.</p>

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<p>Looks like the movie may have been made- by Roman Polanski, and before the SOTW was written. </p>

<p>Check it out: The Ninth Gate- 2000 - Johnny Depp- has anyone seen it?
[The</a> Ninth Gate :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews](<a href=“http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000310/REVIEWS/3100302/1023]The”>http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000310/REVIEWS/3100302/1023)</p>

<p>Johnny Depp in a strong if ultimately unaimed performance as Dean Corso, a rare-book dealer whose ethics are optional. He’s hired by Boris Balkan (Frank Langella), a millionaire collector who owns a copy of The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of the Shadows, published in Venice in 1666 by one Aristide Torchia–who, legend has it, adapted the engravings from the work of Satan himself. Two other copies of the book survive, and Balkan wants Depp to track them down and compare the engravings.</p>

<p>Torchia was burned to death by the Spanish Inquisition, and indeed Andrew Telfer, one of the recent owners of the book, hangs himself in an early scene, after selling his copy to Balkan. Liana (Lena Olin), his widow, tries to appear indifferent, but has an unwholesome interest in getting the book back. Corso flies to Europe and meets the other two owners, a stately aristocrat (Jack Taylor) in Portugal and an elderly Parisian baroness (Barbara Jefford) in a wheelchair.</p>

<p>…Polanski bring a film noir feel to the film; we’re reminded of Bogart pretending to be a rare-book buyer in “The Big Sleep.” As Corso moves from one bizarre millionaire collector to another, he narrowly avoids several threats on his life, and realizes he’s being followed by a young woman (Emmanuelle Seigner), whose purpose and identity remain obscure, although at one point she uses martial arts to save his life, and at another point we (but not he) see her fly.</p>

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<p>Interesting! I had never heard of The Ninth Gate, so I looked it up and found out that the movie is based upon the novel The Club Dumas, written by another Spanish author, Arturo P</p>

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<p>I looked up author Arturo Perez-Reverte and he’s quite famous in Spain. </p>

<p>Anyway with regard to Zafon:</p>

<p>I found occasional mention of Perez-Reverte in reviews of The Shadow of the Wind.</p>

<p>And even directly from the publisher of Shadow of the Wind: "As with all astounding novels, The Shadow of the Wind sends the mind groping for comparisons — The Crimson Petal and the White? [color=red]The novels of Arturo P</p>

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<p>Oh great, now I have to dig out and dust off my old English major secret manual, also known as M.H. Abrams, “A Glossary of Literary Terms.”</p>

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<p>Well, if that doesn’t describe Daniel’s journey, I don’t know what does!</p>

<p>Interestingly, the definition goes on to add:</p>

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<p>To me, that sounds like Juli</p>

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<p>Going back to the whole “meaning of the title” discussion – I keep thinking about how wind doesn’t have/create a shadow like a solid object. And then I can’t help thinking about “Gone With the Wind.” The connections are all there, rolling around in my mind – just not sure I can put it all into words. (Good thing I don’t have to write a paper on this!)</p>

<p>PS Never heard of the term bildungsroman – so it really is true that you can learn something new every day!</p>

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<p>That’s true! The wind doesn’t cast a shadow. What does? Anything of substance that blocks the rays of the sun. Maybe Julian is the Wind—initially, he comes across as a powerful but fleeting presence, here and then gone. But as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Julian is not dead and gone. He is a living being with substance, who has closed himself off from the world, blocking the “sunlight” that would bring him some measure of redemption.</p>

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<p>I thought of “shadow” in less literal terms. So pulling some definitions of “shadow” from dictionary.com to illustrate my thoughts:</p>

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<p>Julian lives life as a specter - or shadow - if you will. He emerges from the shadows to burn his books. He shadows young Daniel, who learns how it feels to live under the shadow of Fumero’s evil. Fumero’s henchmen also shadow Daniel. Nuria lives her life in the shadows, hoping she - and Julian - escape notice, but her secrets are brought to light. Miguel lives under the shadow of death. Fermin is only a shadow of the man he used to be - or so he claims. Further, Barcelona lives in the shadows of the Spanish Civil War. And so on …</p>

<p>SouthJerseyChessMom quoted the last line of Shadows of the Wind:

. Daniel and his son - in effect - become shadows. This particular story ends. Fade out.</p>