Shadow of the Wind - No Spoiling!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I can't wait to finish either!

[Rose]

Nicole wrote: "I can't wait until people do finish reading and talking plot points on the spoiler thread!"

Me too!

[Melissa]

I have no idea what this book is about but I picked it up from the library today - I'd had it on reserve.

[Stacey]

This book is a slow read for me (I usually zoom through books). I find myself enjoying nearly every word. I wouldn't say it's my favorite or that I love it, but I am thoroughly enjoying this so far. Especially learning more about this Julian Carax. I'm only half way through and will probably finish up this weekend.

Fumero is really ticking me off though. I want someone to just kick his tail! That man needs some serious psychotherapy along with strong psychotropic drugs!!!

[Amy]

Brenda wrote: "I'm with Fiona on this one - maybe it's just the translation - can't keep track of the characters with all the Spanish names - like Rebbie posted earlier - the language is getting in the way."

This sounds very similar to my reaction when reading "Oscar Wao." I just had to keep plugging away at it.

[JSou]

I'm a little more than halfway through and I'm loving it! I almost have a wierd sort of literary crush on Julian Carax! :D

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Ha! My crush was on Daniel.

[Carly]

Why do all of the supposedly intelligent women in this book do such stupid things? And why is anyone interested in Daniel when he's the blandest hero in literary history?

Are those spoilers? I'm just frustrated because the plot is driving me to finish this thing, but the characters & language are making me want to toss it out a window.

[Stef]

I love the book. I am on page 230 and in about 10 minutes I will continue reading it. It isn't as good as some people say ( you can't put it down after starting it, you will read through the night...) but it is defintiely one of the better books I read.

[Susan]

I was having second thoughts about reading this but since I had it sitting on my shelf I thought, "What the Heck!" So...now I'm 5 chapters in and going crazy trying to figure out how to fit reading this gripping story into my impossibly busy schedule over the next 4 days. I guess I'll have to eliminate sleeping - heard it's highly overrated anyway....

[Anna]

Carly, I'm exactly the same way. I roll my eyes set it down then am drawn in again.
I loved the beginning with the description of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

[Barb H]

I had to wait many weeks for my turn on my reserve at the library. Now here I am with 3 more books that I have requested! There is no contest though, "Shadow of the Wind" wins. I just wish that things were quieter here so that I could finish this wonderful book. Zafon's writing is so elegant.
I agree with everyone, let's go to the Cemetery of Fogtotten Books.

[Jen]

JUST got it at the library :) looking forward to it.

[Nikki]

I have just picked up this book and am about to start it. It looks long which is a bit off putting. But certainly the first page draws you in, I read that in the library standing by the bookshelves!

[Bridgit]

i think that the language is actually what i love most about this book. The plot itself so far has left me feeling 'eh'. But the language is beautiful. Up until this point, I was reading a book every day and a half, and I have been reading this one for almost a week. I am forcing myself to read it, but when i do read it, i enjoy it. There just isnt that compelling need to devour it in one or two sittings that i look for in great books. Who knows, I am on page 285. maybe it will be amazing in the last half.

[Apokripos]

ohh! you'll be in for a treat once you reach the part about Nuria's letter Bridgit. From that point on you can't tear your self away from the book...

[Bridgit]

jzhunagev wrote: "ohh! you'll be in for a treat once you reach the part about Nuria's letter Bridgit. From that point on you can't tear your self away from the book... "

I just finished it last night and you were right! It was very gripping as soon as I got to that part. I really did love the last third of the book!

[Salma]

I'm somewhere around page 70 right now. I've heard such amazing things about this book- but I didn't get hooked until page 60. Something about the prose....though beautiful, it seemed kinda uptight and pretentious to me. But that could be the translator's fault.

[Apokripos]

I'm glad you did Bridgit... ^_^

[Nikki]

I am enjoying this book but finding it quite slow. I am on page 90 at the moment.

[Salma]

So why do you guys think this book reached massive bestseller status? It doesn't seem like people are especially wowed by it.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I think you'll find quite a number of us are especially wowed by it.

[Salma]

well- I guess I'll be able to discuss all this more intelligently once I get past page 70.

[Jeane]

Salma wrote: "So why do you guys think this book reached massive bestseller status? It doesn't seem like people are especially wowed by it. "

I was already woed by just reading the back cover and I hadn't started the book yet!!!

[Susan]

OK, so I'm on pg. 255...after a week. I think this is the longest I've ever taken to read a book (unless I have several others going at the same time, which I do not). Actually, it took me months to read The Shack, but then I'd only read a chapter or two at a time while reading other books in between. Anywhoo... I am enjoying SotW very much but find myself thinking, "Just get on with it already!" Like Daniel telling Fermin to give the condensed version. I want to discuss this so badly but am forcing myself not to go to the spoiler thread yet. Am I close to Nuria's letter yet? I plan on spending this beautiful weekend outside, hopefully reading to my hearts content.

[Wendy]

I Truly enjoyed this book. Since I usually read mystery and suspense, I was very pleasantly surprised.

[Barb H]

Susan wrote: "OK, so I'm on pg. 255...after a week. I think this is the longest I've ever taken to read a book (unless I have several others going at the same time, which I do not). Actually, it took me months t..."

I'm up to p. 315. I am enjoying it, but I agree with others. I can't remeber when I took so long to read a book.
I really like Fermin. He's a dandy and sometimes crude, but he is often quite humorous and does contribute some good insights for Daniel.

[Maliades]

I'm on page 266, and am very much enjoying this book so far! I hope I finish before the month ends! That is my goal anyway. Then I can join in some of the discussion!

[Apokripos]

I am happy to report to you all that I won the contest on Carlos Ruiz Zafon's website... as of today I received the Orion Published edition of "The Shadow of the Wind" which includes the 1st chapter of "The Angel's Game."
Couldn't be more happier... ^_^

[Nikki]

Day 10 of reading this book, I am now on page 275 out of 403. At this stage of the book there is a lot of suspense and I really want to get to the end but then I get put of by the number of pages left to get through! I am enjoying Fermin's pearls of wisdom that he keeps coming out with.

[Barb H]

I am here to announce that I completed my reading yesterday. I will not spoil it for those of you who are still immersed in the book. I can only state that this was a wonderful experience. It combines many genres of fiction- romance, mystery, suspense and beautiful descriptive passages.

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading this now, finally. It's slow going, as I'm reading it in Italian (not because I don't like it!!). But I convinced my husband to read it too and he just adored it!! Now he wants to read another by the same author!

[Apokripos]

Hayes wrote: "I'm reading this now, finally. It's slow going, as I'm reading it in Italian (not because I don't like it!!). But I convinced my husband to read it too and he just adored it!! Now he wants to read ..."



The Angel's Game was his newly released book, though I hadn't got to buy this one since in isn't available yet in our country...

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews]

I loved this book....it was awesome...no way could I compare it with Oscar Wao...now that book was a drudgery...Shadow of the Wind is fabulous. :)

[Wendy]

Hayes wrote: "I'm reading this now, finally. It's slow going, as I'm reading it in Italian (not because I don't like it!!). But I convinced my husband to read it too and he just adored it!! Now he wants to read ..."

The Angel's Game was excellent too!

[Wendy]

jzhunagev wrote: "Hayes wrote: "I'm reading this now, finally. It's slow going, as I'm reading it in Italian (not because I don't like it!!). But I convinced my husband to read it too and he just adored it!! Now he ..."

It was excellent, can Amazon ship it to you?

[Apokripos]

Wendy wrote: "jzhunagev wrote: "Hayes wrote: "I'm reading this now, finally. It's slow going, as I'm reading it in Italian (not because I don't like it!!). But I convinced my husband to read it too and he just a..."

Of course Amazon can, but I would spend loads just to get the book... the shipment fee is expensive... so I guess I'll just wait for the book to come to our shores just to cut the cost...