{✈}{Pursue It} The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - 3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars

[Theresa]

I found myself immersed in the gothic section of Barcelona mid-20th century. The Spanish Civil War is ending but WWII has its grip through the story, as well as the rise of Franco's dictatorship and all the arrests, bloodshed and chaos that ensued. These are dark times in Spain, especially it seems in Barcelona. In the midst of all this, a 10 year old boy and his father, still mourning the mother's death, visit the mysterious Cemetery of Forgotten Books where Daniel gets to pick a book to keep and remember. He picks The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. It's a dark gothic adventure and Daniel loves it so much, he starts looking for more of his books only to find that someone has been systematically destroying Carax' ouevre. This is the story of Daniel's many year quest to find out more about Carax and his works, as well as the story of Danie's own coming-of-age.

It is GOTHic! There is atmosphere galore - gloomy alleys, misty early mornings, bigger-than-life characters, crumbling mansions, dark secrets, an asylum/hospital/nursing home that rivals Bedlam for horror, ghostly happenings. There are also love stories and wonderful characters like Fermin.
It is complex, a many layered story with Ruiz Zafon taking his time to tell the story.

And yet....

I found myself dis-engaged from the story at various times, too many times. I foresaw every single major reveal long before all is disclosed by the author thus leaving no real surprises. I did not necessarily see the complex pieces fitting around all the reveals but none of those surprised me once seen either. Too much was predictable and inevitable. The book goes on too long and in too many ways is too predictable to sustain nearly 500 pages.

So why am I giving it 4 stars? Well I actually have rounded up from 3.5 stars because:
1. It is well-written, nicely complex, with a lovely balance of history.
2. Strong sense of place (at the back of the book there's a walking tour map of Barcelona with all the real places used in the story - I've now added that to my travel wish list!)
3. Great atmosphere and capturing the essence of gothic story writing.
4. Great characters. Fermin alone would have me reading the rest of the trilogy.
5. It revolves around books and writing, in a very central way.
6. Did I mention the walking-tour of Barcelona?

[Nicole R]

This is another one that I have just never gotten to despite the rave reviews and it being one of my good friends favorite books of recent years.

I think I am going to start a specific TBR entitled "for retirement!" LOL

[Theresa]

Nicole R wrote: "This is another one that I have just never gotten to despite the rave reviews and it being one of my good friends favorite books of recent years.

I think I am going to start a specific TBR entitl..."

It sometimes astounds me how many books like that I have! The Kite Runner, for example, lingers in my TBR.

Most of the time when I finally read it, I kick myself for waiting so long to enjoy it. But not always.

Every book has its time in your life. If you ever find yourself headed to Barcelona though, this is the book to read.

[Booknblues]

Theresa wrote: I found myself dis-engaged from the story at various times,"

When I bought this it sounded so interesting. Even when I started reading it I was excited, but as it progressed, I found that I just didn't care and set it aside. I have several dnf books that everyone loves. This is one of them. I think I may even have given this book away, because when I think of picking it up again years later, it doesn't appeal.

[Theresa]

Booknblues wrote: "Theresa wrote: I found myself dis-engaged from the story at various times,"

When I bought this it sounded so interesting. Even when I started reading it I was excited, but as it progressed, I foun..."

If I had the propensity to DNF books (I don't -- I can count on 1 hand books I have literally cast aside forever partway through), this one came close at times - about 35% into it actually. In the end, there was much I actually liked - but I only gave it 3 stars which is a pretty middle of the road rating for me. What saved this book was the feel for Barcelona, the integration of the gothic quarter into the story.

[Amy]

and I was in the "Love - top Ten for Life!" Category!