The Shadow of the Wind
discussion
Do I carry on with this?
This was one of my favorite books of all time. I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea.I guess I am a fan of magical realism. I got in trouble in a book discussion group because I loved books that no one else could stand.
A agree that this is a love it or hate it book. I think you have given it a chance but since you have not gotten into the story after reading 200 pages or so, it is highly likely that you won't enjoy finishing it. I had the same problem with the book and finally opted to get the audio version. I finished it eventually but was very disappointed overall.
Esmeralda, you have the right to be different and to enjoy what ever book you read. No one can take that away from you. What would this world be without different opinions, thoughts and views. But no one has the right to belittle, or threaten others for their differences. Better they keep their views to themselves, then hurt another.
I just love this book. I love his style. He took me from the first page and held me to the last. I simply fell in love with his style and sentences, atmosphere and dialogues. I would recommend it to anyone. It is well known that he first wrote books for teenagers, but this really has nothing to do with it. I agree that his book Angel's game, which was written after the Shadow of the wind, is not as good as The shadow, but talking with an editor and owner of the publishing house that published his book in my country I learned that he was under great pressure to maintain the quality of the previous book (The wind) which obviously took its toll.In any case, I think Zafon is one of the most interesting new narrators, a man of beautiful sentence's flow, the writer of the atmosphere, one that creates a very compelling characters. The shadow of the wind is a very good book, but maybe not for everyone. After all, the book chooses you :-)
Megan wrote: "This book fell very flat for me as well. After reading The Club Dumas, which I loved, I wanted something similar, and was recommended this book by an employee at my local bookseller. While they are..."I loved only 2 Zafon's books: this one - "The Shadow of the Wind" and "The Angel's Game" and of course they can't be paragonated assolutamenty with any of Arturo Pérez-Reverte books, they're too different, they're written for a different pubblic.
Adam wrote: "Pedro wrote: "Hallow and chaotic. Improvised, childish. One of those books really dumb undergradutes like. You can drop it. You won't miss anything."Wow, what an incredibly pretentious response."
But Pedro is right.
I'm not a big book worm. (Really, take a look at my reading history.) But this is the most rewarding read for me so far. Don't give up on it.
If it's not your cup of tea, don't read it. There are millions of other books that maybe speak more to you. I, personally, was totally blown away by this book and it's high up on my to-read-again list... But tastes are different and that's good.
I loved it, his writting is clear and concise and it was absolutly gripping - could not put it down for the world! But a book is a mirror of personal tastes and no 2 people are alike - i.e. i hated Wolf Hall, could not make out the past tense thingy, and i bought it fueled by the raving reviews everyone gave....fool that i was! It served me well to learn not to buy books AFTER i read reviews on them.
I liked this book very much because of it's atmosphere. It seems to be written with a completely different kind of sensibility than English written books. I felt like I was traveling in a different culture, which I was!
How can almost all of you think like that, this is the most amazing book in the world.
This book is absolutely amazing because it's sensationally mysterious.
Adam wrote: "Pedro wrote: "Hallow and chaotic. Improvised, childish. One of those books really dumb undergradutes like. You can drop it. You won't miss anything."Wow, what an incredibly pretentious response.".
Totally agree...I love this book, I guess I am not worthy of my MLIS
While on vacation my husband read this book then gave it to me. I read it, loved it, and gave it to another guest at our hotel. When we returned home I bought it again and have read it twice more. Yes, we loved it and it remains in our library when other books have come and gone. BUT I do recommed putting aside any book that you have to struggle through. Too many other books to get lost in.
Yes, yes & yes! Zafon & his written world are amazing! But to each his own.
Yeah,bottom line is: if you don´t like, don´t stick with it even if it has fantástic reviews: life is short and there are many, many books that can catch your fancy. If we all like the same books, we would only have 1 writter and not thousands.
So sorry you feel this way. I LOVED it and gave it to many friends who felt the same way. What kind of books do you like?Kate wrote: "I started this book with such high expectations after the rave reviews on here. I'm 200 pages in and got bored of it so I got an audio download and started re-listening to the bits I'd already rea..."
I read this only because it was set in Barcelona, I city I love and was about to visit. I felt the story started out ok - but the more it moved into the magical realism realm the less I was interested. Was a heavy book to carry around whilst travelling - wish I hadn't. In my opinion the book gets worse as it continues. So stop reading now.Love it or hate it book. I'm a vote for the hate side.
Not a good book. I rarely stop reading a book part way through but had to drop this.
Peter wrote: "no. give up. ts not worth it. the pay off at the end is disappointing...something out of harry potter."LOL exactly what I was thinking
This book was waiting for me to open its pages. I am glad to have found it. Zafon captures the spirit of Spain and its painful past interwoven with fantasy and erudition. Those who did not enjoy this might find an easier entry into a similar theme in Pans Labyrinth?
Kate wrote: "I started this book with such high expectations after the rave reviews on here. I'm 200 pages in and got bored of it so I got an audio download and started re-listening to the bits I'd already rea..."After reading all of them, i wish someone had stopped me on the first one. I finished them because i'm not a quitter, but it was really hard work and hardly any pleasure. In my opinion the first was the best. I got the feeling that the author felt pressure to produce while the selling of "The Shadow of the Wind" was hot. I'd say quit while you're ahead and use the time for something more worthwile. Best to you.
I feel I have to post a reply on here only because of the strength of feeling it has provoked! Personally I enjoyed the book, not the best book I've EVER read, but an interesting read. As for the whole "Pedro" thing, I am slightly concerned at an adult who describes themselves in the third person and who uses their profile as a platform to tell us what a wonderful writer they are. Surely feedback would be a more reliable source than "from the horses mouth"?
This was a book that I wanted to like, but that failed to connect in the end. It was well-written, but somehow seemed hollow, as if perhaps the author had over-thought his story along the way and chewed all the flavor out of it.
Cheryl wrote: "I feel I have to post a reply on here only because of the strength of feeling it has provoked! Personally I enjoyed the book, not the best book I've EVER read, but an interesting read. As for the..."I had to look up the "whole Pedro thing" because I hadn't read the previous posts & it actually left me "tickled" ^_~ VOTE pedro (I mean from the movie "Napoleon Dynamite" but I do NOT mean the dude from this thread :)
I loved the experience of reading this book. I do recommend this to everyone that asks for a good read, but know that it's not for everyone. It's been awhile but I had a couple very late nights with this one, unable to put it down, and excited to get off work the next day so I could get back to it. The language, the mystery, and the imagery that was evoked felt like the author was rewarding and giving a gift to book lovers of every language.
I had high expectations for this book after reading some reviews and as I am a big fan of magical realism, but could not have been more disappointed. The story is just messy and sometimes even silly. Unfortunately it got even worse by the end. I would not recommend it to anyone.
Yes I read this a long time ago and I know I loved it
To start with, my friend who borrowed me praised it to the heavens. Bt i struggled to finish it. If u want to return it Kate, I think u should. U wont miss anything. To me its nt worth all d rave. However i think the translator did a nice job.
Kate wrote: "I started this book with such high expectations after the rave reviews on here. I'm 200 pages in and got bored of it so I got an audio download and started re-listening to the bits I'd already rea..."Your predicament is completely, whole-heartedly valid. I wouldn't have been able to get through to the end of the book if the person who gave it to me didn't preface it with, "The story is a little slow in the beginning, but if you can make it through the first 1/3rd, it's phenomenal." At various points in the early/mid-story (which is Spanish history, architecture, etc-rich) I recall thinking, "I just cannot get into this book. I don't care to read another single page! but no.. I must.push.through." I wondered if it was all in vain; however, at some unknown point during my reading -without my conscious consent- the story captured me, completely, and turned the world and my understanding of humanity upside down, in the most abruptly graceful way. The Shadow of the Wind to this day remains my all-time favourite novel and love story. I read it when I was 19 and can attribute my first understanding of authentic empathy to this book. Personally, I'm glad to have persevered. If you decide to push through, I hope you enjoy it and if you decide to stop, that you feel peaceful embarking on your next literary adventure. :)
Stick with it! It took me awhile to get into "Shadow of the Wind", but once I was there I was mesmerized. Shadowy and atmospheric, full of tragic love and secrets, it's done in a very classic, if slow, style of storytelling. If you have some patience and can hang in there, it will reward your efforts. I just gave it a five-star review.
Don't give up on this. This is one of my favorite books of all time.
I thought it was an absolutely brilliant book. However, it took me a while to get into it, and no book will please everyone so if you're not enjoying it best to try something else. Probably my favorite book ever along with The Time Traveller's Wife (which, incidentally, has 200 one-star reviews on Amazon, kind of proving my point).
Pedro wrote: "Hollow and chaotic. Improvised, childish. One of those books really dumb undergradutes like. You can drop it. You won't miss anything."I'm far from a 'dumb undergraduate" and I loved it. Best not to insult others who may enjoy it.
Denise wrote: "This is one of my favorite modern books, and truly the first book where I found wonderfully written dialogue. Many books tend to have unrealistic dialogue, but this one captures the times and the p..."
I found this book long and laborious. My coworkers insisted that I finish it as it was a "great book". There are 2 "mysteries"to figure out both of which I easily guessed before the big reveal. My coworkers said they had no idea until the big reveal - REALLY??? Terrible book. life is too short to read a book you don't like. Wish I would have taken my own advise and not finished it.
Morticia wrote: "Well a lot of people like this book so it must have some good qualities, but I completely failed to find any. I thought it was clumsily written,and very weak on character development, and lacked a..."DITTO
If you didn't like it then don't continue. I myself loved the book and the series.
The writing style or perhaps the translation is insulting to intelligent humans imo.
There is no accounting for taste. Some might love it, some might not. I personally loved it. Just because you didn't like it, doesn't mean you should discourage others to read it. That would be like telling people that they can't have juice because you don't like the flavor.
So read it.
wait hold on...there is a sequel?..please tell me the name (sorry I'm definitely on the "loved it" side), but the one thing I have to agree with is this: reading is a very personal experience...the book, the feel, the characters all become one with you,you think about the story and what is going to happen next all day long when you are not reading, if you are enjoying the book; if you are not then it becomes a chore, something to do. It no longer holds any "magic". then you must put it down. It doesn't matter what the reviews (or your friends,or family) say, no magic, no book. the library is filled with new adventures to be found! :-)
Dear Kate, I did read this book with my Book Group. It was better than some we have chosen. It is my habit, not saying a good one, to skim through some of the duller parts, when a book gets too much like walking through a bog of quicksand,than enjoying a good tale. Memory says that I did like this book. Interesting little story. Life is way to short and there are soooo many great books out there, just waiting to be read! Just skim...it has a good ending.
MomtoKippy wrote: "The writing style or perhaps the translation is insulting to intelligent humans imo."I read it in the original Spanish and didn't think much of it either.
I didn't like this book. after the first 100 pages or so I just couldn't read any more. I didn't care about any of the characters. The book was so cheese and to messy. What I disliked the most is how the author depicted all his female characters. They existed only for the purpose of inflaming mens desire. All the endless references to other books and movies become repetitive and, frankly annoying.
I really liked this book and the others but.... life is too short to be doing anything you don't enjoy. There are millions of wonderful books out there so go pick one you will love.
I adore this book, but different people like different things. Read what you enjoy and don't feel guilty about abandoning a book you're not enjoying. We only have so many reading hours in the course of a lifetime-use as many as you can on books you love.
Sarah-Hope wrote: "I adore this book, but different people like different things. Read what you enjoy and don't feel guilty about abandoning a book you're not enjoying. We only have so many reading hours in the cour..."Roger THAT!!
an interesting and excellent read.... this is a very well crafted story that'll take your senses and imaginations to heights. the character development and every twist to the plot is just outstanding....
I just LOVED the book. I thoght it had everything...you have the love story, which is not the main story...you have the mistery and you have the life of a young man with high morals and always trying to find the truth doing the right thing...I don't usually read spanish literature...but this one was amazing!!!
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...“Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.”...
There are many more beautiful passages in this book just like this..what's not to love?