The Shadow of the Wind
Registered by rem_BSM-942247 on 6/9/2005
9 journalers for this copy...
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.
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.
I really enjoyed this book. I got a bit frustrated with it half way through. Too many names and is was kind of stalling and not going anywhere. For that reason, I've given it 9/10.Starting a Int'l Ring for this book.
seacloud49 (Germany)
pelikanol (Denmark)
eloisamos (Brazil)
efs300 (USA)
oliveoyle (UK)
Nell-Lu (UK)
quizgirl (UK)
baileybird (UK)
This book has finally started it's journey. It was posted to seacloud49 today. Hope you enjoy.
Journal Entry 4 by seacloud49 from Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Friday, September 16, 2005
This arrived today. It has one bookring in front of it, but I'll try to get to it soon. Thanks for doing the bookring, mirp.
I'm sorry to say that I can't seem to get into this book. I'm on page 125 now and I'm having a really hard time forcing myself to read on. I think the style of writing seems kind of stilted, but maybe that's because of the translation. The story doesn't really interest me that much and because of the weird style I'm not feeling any encouragement to keep on reading. That's why I'm going to pass on this one and send it on, since there are so many really great books waiting for me to read them!
As soon as I have the next person's address, the book will continue its journey.
10/26: Mailed the book off to pelikanol today. Sorry for the delay, I've been sick with the flu for over 2 weeks.
As soon as I have the next person's address, the book will continue its journey.
10/26: Mailed the book off to pelikanol today. Sorry for the delay, I've been sick with the flu for over 2 weeks.
Got it in the mail today. I´ll be starting on it right away.
(please notice how good I am at rhyming. it was completely unintentional. I´m a genius!)
(please notice how good I am at rhyming. it was completely unintentional. I´m a genius!)
I´m very happy to have read this book. The plot is quite original and something I really got into. I did find the first half of the book a bit slow, though. It was interesting and a lot of things did happen, but at the time I just didn´t see the importance of all the details and such. I was afraid I wouldn´t be able to really get into it, which is something I don´t understand now *lol*
Sent off to eloisamos today the 7. November.
Sent off to eloisamos today the 7. November.
Arrived!!!
I have the terrible mania of read the last page before start a book...It has helped me some times and has stoped me to read really good books... This last page made me VERRY CURIOUS!!!
I´m finishing one ring and this will be next!
Thank you
I have the terrible mania of read the last page before start a book...It has helped me some times and has stoped me to read really good books... This last page made me VERRY CURIOUS!!!
I´m finishing one ring and this will be next!
Thank you
I loved it!!!!!
I don´´t know how the autor could think abouth so wonderful history!
Thank you mirp.
I will send it after new year.
I don´´t know how the autor could think abouth so wonderful history!
Thank you mirp.
I will send it after new year.
Journal Entry 10 by efs300 from -- By post or by hand --, South Carolina USA on Friday, March 3, 2006
The Shadow of The Wind arrived here in New Hampshire for its one stop in the USA. Unfortunatly I have had 4 other bookring book that arrived all at the same time a week ago so its going to take me a while to get to this book. I will read and forward it on as soon as possible.
Journal Entry 11 by efs300 from -- By post or by hand --, South Carolina USA on Monday, March 27, 2006
This was a fantastic book. The best book I have read this year. The plot was very intriguing, the characters were interesting and the location was unique. It was a hard book to put down and for me it was extremly enjoyable. This is exactly what I love about BC, reading authors that you would never find on your own. I have always been intrigued about Barcelona as my father was a radio operator on cargo tanker ships, he has sailed all over the world and he always said that his favorite country to visit was Spain and his favorite city was Barcelona. So it was interesting to read a book set in Barcelona.
Thanks you mirp for sharing this excellent book. This will be going in the mail to oliveoyle today. US Customs Label # LC512223984US
Thanks you mirp for sharing this excellent book. This will be going in the mail to oliveoyle today. US Customs Label # LC512223984US
Journal Entry 12 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, May 15, 2006
Yey! It's arrived! It came on Saturday and I'm so excited to have it - I've heard so much about it! Started it yesterday and I'm absolutely loving it already.
Journal Entry 13 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, June 23, 2006
What a wonderful book! I was thoroughly absorbed by this and utterly moved by the beautiful descriptions throughout. The characterisation was excellent and the story constantly exciting. I just enjoyed this so much I can't even put it into words! One of the best books I've read in ages - I'm definitely going to buy my own copy! I wish I could get my own Cemetry of Books too!
Thank you so much for sharing this mirp!
I've PMed the next person and will send this on as soon as I've got their address.
Thank you so much for sharing this mirp!
I've PMed the next person and will send this on as soon as I've got their address.
Journal Entry 14 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Posted to Nell-Lu yesterday. Enjoy!
This arrived today. Thanks oliveoyle, for passing it on, and mirp, for starting the ring.
I've been wanting to read The Shadow of the Wind for ages, so I'm really looking forward to it. I have another ray book to read first (Virtue) so will get onto this one at the weekend and send it out next week.
I've been wanting to read The Shadow of the Wind for ages, so I'm really looking forward to it. I have another ray book to read first (Virtue) so will get onto this one at the weekend and send it out next week.
I liked this; I became involved with the characters and interested in where the story was going. The intricacies of the plot were quite engrossing. But, I thought the writing style was rather awkward - it'd be good to find out whether this is a problem with the translation or the original. I found the ending pleasing (I was glad it turned out that way, on an emotional level) but unlikely.
Doesn't the "Cemetery of Forgotten Books" sound wonderful?!
Thanks again for sharing, mirp. I've got quizgirl's address so will take this to the Post Office this afternoon.
Doesn't the "Cemetery of Forgotten Books" sound wonderful?!
Thanks again for sharing, mirp. I've got quizgirl's address so will take this to the Post Office this afternoon.
This came this morning just as I was leaving for work. Had to wait till now to open the parcel. I look forward to reading it.
I just picked up the padded envelope the book came in and what should fall out but a lovely bar of Green & Black's organic chocolate! Yum yum! Thanks Nell-Lu!
BTW - I'm enjoying the book too!
BTW - I'm enjoying the book too!
I got about a third of the way through this and couldn't see where it was going. But I stuck with it and quite enjoyed the last third when all the various threads were being brought together. I'm glad I stayed with it. It is a really exceptional first novel for this writer. Thanks to mirp for starting this bookring. As soon as I get an address for baileybird the book will be on its way.
Journal Entry 20 by baileybird from Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom on Saturday, July 29, 2006
Arrived safely, with a lovely pack of Love Hearts sweeties....thankyou quizgirl!!!!! Will get straight to it as soon as I can, just need to finish off another bookring first :0)
Journal Entry 21 by baileybird from Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom on Thursday, August 17, 2006
What a pleasant surprise! I found this book really hard to get into, and almost abondoned it after a few chapters as it didn't seem to be flowing for me. I'm really glad I stuck with it however, as the end result was very satisfying. Beautifully written, with many rich and varied characters, this book truly is one that stays with you and days later you find yourself mulling over incidents and plot lines. Thank you for sharing Mirp :)
Journal Entry 22 by baileybird from Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Now I've been paid this will be in the post back to Mirp tomorrow! Thank you again for sharing this wonderful book!
IT'S HOME!! Thanks to you all for taking part in this bookring. It's great to know it was enjoyed by you all.
Still can't get use to recieving my own book in the mail, but it always gives me a thrill to see it so well read.
Still can't get use to recieving my own book in the mail, but it always gives me a thrill to see it so well read.
I'm reserving this as I'd like to send it off as a RABCK.
This is being sent as a RABCK to radar-bookie in Canada. I hope you enjoy the book.Posted 05/09/06
