May 2022 Group Read: The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

This is your space to discuss The Shadow of the Wind. Please join Leena for the discussion of this book. Have fun!

[Leena]

Hello, this one has been for ever on my tbr, so finally I can scratch it off. Looking forward to all your views.

[Patty]

I’ve read all the books in this series. 👍🏿

[Franky]

I really liked this one and read it awhile back. I love the homages to other authors and the general Gothic and suspenseful vibe. I'll try to locate my copy and chime in this month.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Leena wrote: "Hello, this one has been for ever on my tbr, so finally I can scratch it off. Looking forward to all your views."

I'm with you - it's been on my list forever, it seems! I hope to read it this month and join in.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Patty wrote: "I’ve read all the books in this series. 👍🏿"

Have you read The City of Mist: Stories? It was just released (posthumously) a few months ago.

[Patty]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Patty wrote: "I’ve read all the books in this series. 👍🏿"

Have you read The City of Mist: Stories? It was just released (posthumously) a few months ago."

Do you mean The Prince of the Mist, or is there another one out that sounds the same. I have The Prince of the Mist sitting about two feet to my right waiting to be read.

[Leena]

Patty, :> that's me too.
guys,I. really tardy this time and I apologise. I just wanted to get few smaller bks off my monthly challenges before I tackle this one. I'm starting today.

Patty,have u started? was the wait worth it?

[PattyMacDotComma]

Leena wrote: "Patty, :> that's me too.
guys,I. really tardy this time and I apologise. I just wanted to get few smaller bks off my monthly challenges before I tackle this one. I'm starting today.

Patty,have u..."

I have started, Leena, but I'm also reading/listening to a very different contemporary mystery, which is probably a bad idea!

I'm enjoying Shadow, but I'm not feeling compelled to keep returning to it as I am with some books.

[Leena]

Same, snd ive realised im stuck at exactly the same place ive been at everytime ivectried reading it. When he goes back to meet Barcelo in the library- thats not even end of 1st chapter. 🤦‍♀️

[Patty]

Leena, I won’t be getting to it anytime soon due to a few stacks that need my attention.

[Leena]

No issues Patty, ive actually progressed amd am on chapter 7.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Patty wrote: "Do you mean The Prince of the Mist, or is there another one out that sounds the same. I have The Prince of the Mist sitting about two feet to my right waiting to be read."

No, it's The City of Mist: Stories, a short story collection by Zafon of stories set in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series.

[Patty]

RJ, how did it miss this book? Another book to purchase and put on my TBR pile.

[Karen]

Just want to say that I loved loved loved this book!!! So much more than a simple mystery thriller! My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ashley]

I’m about halfway through it and I’m really struggling to find interest. It seems so long winded to get to any points, I will attempt to push on though

[PattyMacDotComma]

Ashley wrote: "I’m about halfway through it and I’m really struggling to find interest. It seems so long winded to get to any points, I will attempt to push on though"

I came here to say exactly the same thing, Ashley. I'm not really caring much about anybody or whatever mystery they are pursuing. I am considering setting it aside for awhile.

[fleurette]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I am considering setting it aside for awhile."

This is exactly what I did many years ago and I have never finished reading this book. It's good to know that I wasn't the only one who found it too slow to make sense. Now I hesitate to try again.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I’m about halfway through it and I’m really struggling to find interest. It seems so long winded to get to any points, I will attempt to push on though"

I came here to say exactly t..."

The vivid post-WWII Barcelona setting is terrific, as is the idea of a Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Zafon creates such memorable characters although they are quite over the top at times, and also it is excessive for each one to have such a long backstory. I thought the pacing and story of the prequel The Angel's Game to be much better than the first installment.

[Patty]

I have/had a copy of the book that had a tour of the places mentioned in the back.

[Karen]

I have never been to Spain, but I would love to travel there. I would so do that tour. Barcelona sounds wonderful!!!

[shanghao]

Late and just starting, wonder if I can finish by end May. The pace is a bit slow but I hope it picks up soon

[Leena]

Ashley wrote: "I’m about halfway through it and I’m really struggling to find interest. It seems so long winded to get to any points, I will attempt to push on though"

Im in the same predicament too. Im so sorry guys to have nominated this one. I really hoped the buddy read and consequent discussions would spur me on. Unfortunately, Im still stuck at the same place Ive given up everytime. 🙉

[Patty]

I think this book suffers from “First Book of a Series-itis”. A lot of backstory and description. However, I found it worth the two readings I’ve done of it. The history of Fascism and book-burning in Spain was worth learning in itself.

I enjoyed the book, but will admit there were times I skipped sections.

[Nike]

I've read the first three books and I love them, I think they have a very suggestive and enchanting atmosphere. I 'll be reading the fourth soon.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Patty wrote: "...The history of Fascism and book-burning in Spain was worth learning in itself...."

My favorite parts involved the setting, not just the physical location in Barcelona but the historical perspective of post Civil War Spain.

[Leena]

Patty, Nike and R.J. - im really glad you guys enjoyed the bk. Nike- hope you enjoy the 4th just as much.

[Nike]

Leena wrote: "Patty, Nike and R.J. - im really glad you guys enjoyed the bk. Nike- hope you enjoy the 4th just as much."

Thank you =)

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I'm really late to the read, plus, I've had this book for some time - unread. I am surprised by what is is! For some reason, I thought it was a science fiction. Now, I see it is a literary read about the love of collecting and reading, a historical fiction about post-war Spain, and a mystery - in that order. Not bad, but it is a lot about the lyrical descriptions and phrases instead of active movement.

I started with the audiobook, which had me in hysterics eventually. Daniel seems to fall in lust-love with every young women he meets, and every time he begins blushing, this tinkling music starts up on the audiobook. It is changing my entire perception of the novel, from a serious literary read to one of being tongue-in cheek, wink wink.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Like aPriL says, the audiobook has this music (apparently said to be composed by the author) that chimes in occasionally, almost drowning out the narration at times. I'm not a fan of the audiobook at all, for what it's worth.

[Leena]

April, that must have been so funny. I'm picking that one up. hopefully, this might end differently.