I have just finished reading one of the best novels I have picked up in a long time. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a much needed breath of fresh air. It is an intelligent, fast paced, intricate story of a young bookshop apprentice, Daniel, who finds himself swept into the mystery surrounding a mysterious author.
Young Daniel is taken to the cemetery of forgotten books by his father with the instruction that he is to never tell anyone about the place and that he may choose one book out of labyrinth of shelves to make his own. It is here that he finds a book, which turns out to be the only copy in existence, written by the author Julian Carax. Daniel is mesmerized by the story and wants to read anything and everything written by Carax. In his search for novels by the author he learns there has been a mysterious figure hunting them all down and burning them. Intrigued by the story, Daniel starts to investigate further and discovers the amazing and emotional story of Julian Carax. Not only does he discover it, but he becomes a major player in it. The danger, friendships, love and compassion that Daniel finds through his search for an answer and a legend is a very real look into the human psyche and showcases what the difference is between being alive and living.
It's a story of crime, passion, literature, life, and moral dilemmas. It is about all these things but not one in particular and doesn't try too hard to create drama, it just happens. The story takes many twists and turns but never loses its way or gets too convoluted. This is a book about books and any reader will really enjoy it. The love I have for words and a proper arraignment of them into something that stays with me long after the last page is turned is something that I have found here in this story. From one reader to another, I highly recommend this great story.
The Shadow of the Wind
By: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
486 pages
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