A fantastic book set in Barcelona, that opens in the summer of 1945 - only six years after the Spanish Civil War ended. The hero is Daniel Sempere, the ten year-old son (when we first meet him) of a bookshop owner. Early in the book, his father brings him to the sort of place bookcrossers would dream about : the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Its role is to 'save' rare books - those titles in danger of disappearing are brought to the Cemetery by its guardians.

However, all those on their first visit there are allowed to 'adopt' a book - to protect it and ensure it stays alive. Daniel stumbles across and chooses a book called "The Shadow of the Wind" by Julian Caráx - an author and a title unfamiliar to him. It captures his imagination so completely that he is determined to read more of Caráx's book. Unfortunately, not only are his books in short supply, but also Caráx himself proves to be something of a mystery. However, that doesn't put Daniel off....

To the finder:

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