The Cemetery of Forgotten Books"In this place, books no longer remembered by anyone, books that are lost in time, live forever, waiting for the day when they will reach a new reader's hands. In the shop we buy and sell them, but in truth books have no owner."
The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
I wish I'd discovered Carlos Ruiz Zafon earlier. What an enchanting read. The Shadow of the Wind is translated from its original Spanish version. How I wish I could read Spanish.
In the first chapter, when the story began from the first person point of view of the protagonist, Daniel, at the age of ten, I didn't quite enjoy the flow of the writing. It was too literal, and did not feel like a ten-year old.
Thankfully, it wasn't long before the words started to just spill out of the pages. Reading the book was like running to catch a train while wanting to hold back to say one last goodbye to a loved one. You really want to know what happens next, but are unwilling to let go of the beauty of the moment. I read and re-read several lines over and over.
My only real complaint would be about the character Bea, or Beatriz. For much of the book, I could not make out whether she is or is not the One, which is fine, except for the fact that I did not even know whether or not I myself wanted for her to be the one. I wish I had a stronger opinion of her.
That aside, an it is a minor complaint, it has been a wonderful read, can't wait to read the prequel, The Angel's Game.
Most importantly, however, is that for me the story captures so many of my own personal fantasies. But my fantasies are mine to keep, and maybe one day to live.
"A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept."
