Uncovered Book Club discussion
May/June 2016
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The Shadow of the Wind (Max's Pick- May/June 2016)
message 51:
by
Alex
(new)
May 20, 2016 05:41AM
I Just started last night and am on 66. This is a lot creepier than I thought it would be! It was a rough start, but now it is picking up and the storytelling is really good.
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Bought this book back in April on a whim. Sad I can't start it for 2 more weeks since its at my mom's house. Glad to see everyone is liking it so far
Finally got this from the library tonight. Excited to start asap
Yes! This just came in. As soon as I finish Sleeping Giants, it is on!
Im almost halfway through this book and I cant finish it sooner as I cant read it at night! This book gives me the creeps... Am I the only one who doesnt like Fermin much? :/
Mod
Am I the only one who doesnt like Fermin much? :/"
I personally really love Fermin. He is such a funny character, and the more you get to know him, the more you can see how layered he is. I think once you learn a bit more about his past, you might come to appreciate him. At least, I hope you will! He's great.
I guess I'll wait till the end of the book to decide whether I like Fermin or not. So far he just seemed like a person who is over the top and exaggerated but considerate nonetheless. Overall I'm loving this creepy disturbing book so far!!! :D
i just finished this book and i am in complete awe. this book was absolutely incredible to read & it went right into my favorites shelf (which only has eight other books on it, so it's saying something). i already want to re-read this book to experience it all over again and see what i can pick up on now knowing the mystery... however i need this book to sit with me for a bit before i read it again; can't get too ahead of myself! thanks max for choosing this book; it pushed me to read it sooner rather than later and i'm so grateful that i got to read it now.
Sadly, I had to stop reading this book. It really got on my nerves (in a very not-so-good-way) and Zafon lost me before the first hundred pages were done. I am just not a fan of the zooming-in-and-out kind of writing and I didn't like that I felt I could look through the characters and the protagonist really annoyed me (and his infatuation for Clara was just ... I hated that part too much.) I don't think that the book is bad or anything of the sorts, it just isn't for me (I really don't think that reading a book that annoys you is very respectful to the writer because it simply isn't the way I want to critique something; if I can't respect or like it, I won't put the writer nor myself through that.) I think that I'll maybe give it another try (but not in english but in my mother tongue, maybe that's also a factor to consider) when the time comes. This time around I feel like I am not ready for this book and that I can't like it even though I like bits of it (and even though I really WANT to like it.) So, yeah, I am not finishing it, I've put it on hold. I just wanted to let you guys know, for the sake of a diverse conversation. I am a little envious that you all seemed to enjoy it, maybe it's just me. :(
250 pages in now. Part is me wants to hurry up and read to the end but part of me wants to enjoy every word slowly.
Julia wrote: "Sadly, I had to stop reading this book. It really got on my nerves (in a very not-so-good-way) and Zafon lost me before the first hundred pages were done. I am just not a fan of the zooming-in-and-..."I'm struggling with this book too, much to my disappointment. I just feel really detached from the characters and the story as a whole. I'm only 75 pages in, so definitely not ready to give up on this read just yet, but I really hope things pick up for me soon.
About 100 pages in, and I'm enjoying it. I wish I had more time during the day to read it. Hopefully I really get to spend more time this coming 3-day weekend.
I'm about 165 pages in and I'm enjoying it so far (the writing is lovely) but I'm not hooked, and sadly a tiny bit bored. Not enough to stop reading, but does something a bit more gripping happen soon?
* spoiler alert* !!! Just finished it, and really loved the book's atmosphere and the gothic twist to the story. Quite dark at times, and the violence of (post)war Spain was always palpable. I also loved all the bookish references (as far as I got them, I am sure there were more). The plot-trick at the end, (i.e. to explain everything in one go through Nuria's letter to Daniel) was a bit of a let-down, though.
No words to explain m love of this book. Thank you Max for the recommendation!
I started it today and already read the first 6 chapters. It looks really promising. I guess I'm not getting a lot of sleep tonight.
Finished this book today and I've got to say that this was the best book I read this month for sure. The storyline was really engaging and I loved the world building and characters that dwelled within it. I even recommended the book to my dad and he loved it too. I loved Fermín as a character also. He was the comic relief this story needed. Without him it would have been far too dark. 5/5 stars
Mod
So glad you loved it, Amy!
Mod
Lexie, I'm so happy to hear you loved the book :) I agree. Fermin really lightens the mood while still having complexity and adding to the story.
I finally started the book, and was immediately engrossed. I just finished Chapter 12 (about p100), and can see myself flying through the rest. There is something old world and cozy about the language, though I didn't expect there to be amusing little quips peppered throughout. I appreciate that there are several facets of mystery to wonder about, which really help move the story and pacing along at a good clip. Loving it, and great first pick!
Kara wrote: "Chapter 3, pp. 28,29 Clara speaking to Daniel:"Never trust anyone Daniel, especially the people you admire. Those are the ones who will make you suffer the first blows."
What do you think about ..."
When I read this I took it as foreshadowing, in that perhaps SHE would be the one to make him suffer those "blows". Or someone else he comes to trust.
As Max mentioned, I also think her attitude is cultivated from her own personal experiences and disappointments and it's the baggage she has acquired to that point in her life.
I personally think it's next to impossible to live a life where you won't allow yourself to trust anyone. I think every human yearns for that kind of connection with someone, where they can be completely open and themselves. I suppose that's what people hope to find in marriage for example, although Clara's quote then rings so true if/when your parter, that you are supposed to trust wholeheartedly, disappoints or betrays. Even under those circumstances, I think the instinct is to still want to put trust in someone.
Maxwell wrote: "Samantha wrote: "I've just finished the book tonight, and it's amazing. I just went and ordered 2 more of his books."I'm so glad you liked it! I would also recommend The Angel's Game if you want ..."
Just to make sure: so, if I want to continue with the series, you would recommend reading The Angel's Game first?
I just finished this book and I think I left a little bit of my soul within the pages.
Okay, not really a spoiler, but still. ***
I just finished chapter 17 and I have this theory that the man who burns the books is actually Carax. I think it would make some sense, but we'll see.
Mod
I'm so glad you liked it! I would also recommend The Angel's G..."
The Angel's Game follows a completely different set of characters, but it has the same feel as TSotW does to me. So I would recommend it.
The Prisoner of Heaven takes place after TSotW with the same characters, but I felt like it didn't add anything to the story. So I wouldn't particularly recommend it. But that might just because I love TSotW SOO much, and I don't really think it needs anything added to it.
Mod
Love this. Such a beautiful way to describe it. I feel the same.
Maxwell wrote: "Britta wrote: "Maxwell wrote: "Samantha wrote: "I've just finished the book tonight, and it's amazing. I just went and ordered 2 more of his books."I'm so glad you liked it! I would also recommen..."
Thanx, Max!
To be honest I don't really agree with Max regarding the third book :( I actually read The Prisoner of Heaven first and I fell in love so very deeply with the book that I ordered the first and the second book afterwards. I love The Shadow of the Wind too, but I still think the third book is the best. Maybe because it gripped me first. To me, The Angel's Game isn't as good as the other two, but I like it too :") Really hope there would be fourth book in this series!
I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. Another thing I loved were the descriptions of Barcelona. They were really well done. As someone who hasn't been in Spain at all, I felt like I had grown up on the streets of Barcelona. Oh, and Fermin! He was my favourite character. But unfortunately that's it. I did not like Daniel's character at all, nor Carax. The info-dumping in Nuria's letter wasn't a very good way to reveal everything, even though I guessed it right in the beginning! I know I previously said it would make some sense to be Carax, who's burning the books, but no, it doesn't make any sense to me now. Why? why why? I just don't get it. Plus, why is nobody talking about the incest?
But anyway, I want to thank Max for the recommendation and am looking forward to seeing what you'll pick for July.
Mod
Stella- that's really interesting. I definitely think it has to do with the order in which someone reads these books. I'm sure if I had read a different Zafon book first I would've been more attached to that, since his books have a way of getting into your head and really grabbing ahold of you.
Borislav wrote: "Okay, not really a spoiler, but still. ***
I just finished chapter 17 and I have this theory that the man who burns the books is actually Carax. I think it would make some sense, but we'll see."
That is the only thing that makes sense. I thought that from the beginning. No wonder I couldn't keep reading it, it felt like I've already read a few stories that were just the same. Sorry, just a little disappointed by this book. :/
Maxwell wrote: "Stella wrote: "To be honest I don't really agree with Max regarding the third book :( I actually read The Prisoner of Heaven first and I fell in love so very deeply with the book that I ordered the..."I totally agree with that theory, Carlos Ruiz Zafon's writing is indeed exceptional and has a way to take us captive.
Borislav wrote: "I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. Another thing I loved were the descriptions of Barcelona. They were really w..."
Spoilers if you have not finished the book
I finished the book last night and I agree with you. Zafon's writing is beautiful. Fermin is my favorite character also, but I liked Daniel more that you did, even though he was annoying at times. The interactions between these two were the best.
And yes about the incest. When I found out Julian and Penelope were brother and sister I cringed a little (okay, maybe more) inside. Somehow, it seemed kind of cruel to not let Julian know about this.
Anny wrote: "Borislav wrote: "I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. Another thing I loved were the descriptions of Barcelona. Th..."
I just don't think it was necessary for the incest to be included. It didn't add anything to the story - Julian didn't even know about it. So, I guess it was just dumped in there, to make it more dramatic, but it didn't work for me.
Borislav wrote: "Anny wrote: "Borislav wrote: "I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. Another thing I loved were the descriptions of ..."
SPOILERS if you have not finished!!!
i think the incest was addressed well without it having to be directly discussed. first, i believe it explains why the two of them "saw each other in their dreams." granted that's not really discussing the incest but it's just a thought i had. second, and most important, in my opinion, the fact that penelope and julian were related was extremely important to penelope's father. i truly believe that the relation, mixed with the fact that the son he connected to most betrayed him, was what drove him to locking his daughter in a room and not letting her out, even when she was screaming for help. he took his anger at the situation out on her. also, the father needed to keep the incest, his affair, and penelope's relationship all a secret, as it made his family look bad, which is why he would rather led his daughter and grandson die than risk his family looking bad.
honeslty, if the two of them hadn't been related, all of carax's history would have been different because penelope's father would have never taken him in, gotten to know him, and given him the chance to know and fall for penelope.
also what good would it have done to let carax know that they were related? i can only hope it would give him slight closure, but considering he was already crushed beyond belief when he found out penelope was dead (along with his son he never knew he had) i don't think it would help him to know. learning they were related would only bring him deeper despair and probably not add anything to the novel, in my opinion.
I read this a couple weeks ago and I really enjoyed it! I loved the characters, and the plot was so intriguing and creepy at times. My only drawback is that I thought it dragged in some places, but other than that, solid read!
ciah wrote: "Borislav wrote: "Anny wrote: "Borislav wrote: "I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. Another thing I loved were the..."
Yes, I understand what you mean. But! If they (or only Julian) were simply told that they are siblings before everything happened, none of this would be necessary in my opinion. Yes, then I would understand the drama and the forbidden love, etc.
Mod
Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. Another thing I l..."
SPOILERS
Yeah, but one big point was that Penelope's father didn't want anyone, even his own family, to find out about Julian. It's all a bit dramatic and over the top for a reason, to add to the gothic/darker atmosphere of the story. But I can see why some people would be freaked out by the incest. I mean, it's incest after all. But I think it's used with a purpose.
Maxwell wrote: "Borislav wrote: "ciah wrote: "Borislav wrote: "Anny wrote: "Borislav wrote: "I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing, it is amazing. ..."
Sure, it adds to the darker atmosphere. But I still cannot agree that this made a nice plot twist or anything else. I wasn't like "Wow, this is amazing!", but more like "Wtf, is he serious?".
Borislav wrote: "Maxwell wrote: "Borislav wrote: "ciah wrote: "Borislav wrote: "Anny wrote: "Borislav wrote: "I finished it and have some mixed feelings. (and spoilers) Overall, I absolutely loved Zafon's writing,..."
SPOILERS
i understand where you're coming from! however i don't view it as a plot twist meant to surprise/impress, but more of an important plot point that drives carax's history. without it he would just be an under-appreciated writer that got mad his books didn't sell so he started burning them. i still respect your opinion completely but this is just how i see it.
oh, yeah, i thought it would be not necessary to say that i respect all of your opinions, i really enjoy the discussion. so, he didn't know that they were related and i don't see how this particular thing made him burning his books. it just wasn't needed in my opinion, that's all.
SPOILERSI finished the book today and I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I liked the language, the atmosphere of the city and of that time. Together with the characters, I felt their despair and hopelessness.
On the other hand, I felt like I read such a book many times before. After Adalaya's rage - I just knew that Julian and Penelope were siblings. It was the most obvious answer.
But what destroyed the book for me, was the info-dump. I was so disappointed during reading Nuria's letter. Seriously, Zafon couldn't think of a better way to explain everything? It was such a let-down and now, I'm not sure if I'll read next parts. Still, I'm glad I was finally able to read "The Shadow of the Wind".
Unfortunately, mostly because of my own procrastination, it doesn't look like I'll be be able to finish the book before the end of the month. But I did make some progress and I've really enjoyed what I've read so far. Thanks for giving me the motivation to read it; it probably would've sat on my TBR shelf for a lot longer otherwise. I really like the writing style; it's very atmospheric.
Am 1/2 way done. Hope to finish very soon.
Mod
Rachel, that's great to hear! I'm glad you're enjoying what you've read so far. No pressure to finish the book of the month within a certain time frame. You can always come back and discuss on the thread when you finish. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! :)
Mod
Enjoy the rest!
Maxwell wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Unfortunately, mostly because of my own procrastination, it doesn't look like I'll be be able to finish the book before the end of the month. But I did make some progress and I've re..."Thanks!
Finished it today! It took me a long time, but I'm glad I took my time with it. It was great! I loved the mystery and the intertwined characters. I hope to read the rest of the series in the future.
Maxwell wrote: "Nidhi wrote: "Im almost halfway through this book and I cant finish it sooner as I cant read it at night! This book gives me the creeps... Am I the only one who doesnt like Fermin much? :/"
I pe..."
I really loved Fermin,I thought he was such a sympathetic ,perfectly written character. There are so many layers to him.
To be honest I fangirl this book. If I could only have 10 books on a desert island,this book would be one of them.
I just got this :) My Soul is ready to read it *screaming internally*
