Our Score:★★★★★★✩✩✩✩
GENRE: Mystery, Cultural, Gothic
Selected by Emma - November 2009
SYNOPSIS:
Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the 'cemetery of lost books', a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out 'La Sombra del Viento' by Julian Carax.
But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax's work in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind. A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love, and the places that obsession can lead.
(Synopsis taken from Amazon)
REVIEW: (Contains spoilers)
Emma's Thoughts:
Considering it's a translation of a Spanish book, I liked the writing and language that was used. For me nothing got lost in translation. I thought that the character Romero de Torres has the funniest quotes and was my favourite character. There was lots of mystery and suspense throughout the book but we finally get the full story in a letter from Nuria Montford after she is killed. To sum up, I loved the beginning, it got a bit flat in the middle and then couldn't put it down in the end.
Gemma's Thoughts:
This book was an absolute delight. I loved the idea of a resting place for unwanted books and the notion that others can come to visit, adopt an unwanted book, take it home with them to ensure the book stays alive and is enjoyed. It had quite a magical, cosy feel to this novel which I loved; there was humour, mystery and suspense that made it quite the page-turner. A book I would love to re-read and an author I will turn to again.
THE SCORES:
Emma: 7
Gemma: 6
Maria: 7
Nic: 7
Pamela: 7
Sandra: 5
Average 6
Let us know your thought about this book. We would love to read your reviews and know what you would score it.
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Happy reading!