The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Barcelona, Spain

I liked this book. I did not love this book. I liked it in the way that I (used to) like going to the movies to see a film. It’s an experience - the popcorn, the trailers, seeing your friend or partner; you don’t expect the movie to be life changing. This book was more or less light, heartwarming. Next year I’m probably going to start looking for a book set in Spain then remember the fact that I read this book.

I gave it 4 stars because you can’t expect every book to shatter your world. It entertained me. It didn’t drag on.

The book follows Daniel Sempere and his widower father though post-civil war Barcelona. Daniel and his father run a bookstore. One day, Daniel’s father brings him to the cemetery of forgotten books, a “resting place” for antique books. Daniel stumbles upon a book called The Shadow of the Wind written by Julian Carax.

Over the years, Daniel tries to find more books written by Carax but discovers all of his books have been destroyed by a mysterious person. The remainder of the book is dedicated to solving the mystery of Carax, while Daniel’s own life mirrored it in many ways.

As we learn, Carax’s first love was a woman named Penelope. The story of Julian and Penelope reminds me a lot of Call me By Your Name in the way that young love can destroy the entirety of lives. The twist about why Julian and Penelope couldn’t be together was a good one, but I will never for the life of me understand why Daniel got so much grief (and severe punishment) about dating his girlfriend. I understand it was the 1940’s, but Daniel married her. Why did his best friend never speak to him again after that?

This is a short review, I know. It’s a good book, but it doesn’t inspire much thought once it’s over.

Review by the Numbers

Overall: 4/5

Writing: 4/5

Plot: 3/5

Character Development: 3/5

Message: 2/5

Challenges Satisfied:

- Spain (Reading My Way Around the World Challenge)

- Western Europe - Spain (Book Voyage Challenge)

- Book by an Author that Shares Your Zodiac Sign (2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge)