Words leave imprints in your mind like footprints in the sand...
1945 – You are transported to Barcelona via these pages and if you visit the city you will see Daniel and the other characters as clear as day as you walk and follow in his footsteps. Oh to really find the Cemetery of Forgotten books – a bibliophiles dream!
Barcelona, 1945: One day Daniel’s father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and tells him to find a book – but only one. Daniel choses a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by a writer called Julián Carax.
He starts to read and wants to find the author’s other works, but then he makes a shocking discovery. Someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence.
Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets…..
Barcelona comes to life in a way we have never had the pleasure of reading before. Its cobbled streets and dark alleys come alive in and fill all the senses. From the early morning mist along the dark alley where Daniel is first brought to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, to the archways of Plaza Real where Daniel meets the mysterious Fermin, to the gothic grandeur of the Cathedral and the Basilica , this book captures the essence and the soul of the city.
Some editions of the book do contain a very good book trail of the city touring the sights that Daniel visits and this is a must see for you will see the Cathedral and the Basilica in a new light. The gothic part of town has a character of its own but when you follow in Daniel’s footsteps, you can hear his voice, see the city through his eyes and discover hidden Barcelona.
Walking quite literarily in Daniel’s footsteps then you really do see a side to Barcelona that you might not normally see. The most weird and surreal part of the tour was the Calle Arco Del Teatro – ‘more than a scar than a street’
The Gothic part of the city is like something from a film with its twisty turny alleyways, cobbled streets, gothic architecture and mystery. Be sure to visit the Cathedral, on Pla de la Seu as well as the tiny square called plaza Felipe Neri – ‘a small breathing space in the maze of streets” where Nuria’s flat is located. Oh and to finish off your day -be sure to eat at the El Quatre Gats – Carrer de Montsió, 3 – the cafe where two characters meet and eat – definitely worth a visit – the food is great!
Susan:
This must be one of the most evocative and mysterious books that I have ever read. As soon as we picked up the book and read about ‘ The Cemetery of Forgotten Books’ I didn’t even read the rest. Having now read both the Spanish and English versions, both are excellent and Lucia Graves has done an excellent job of capturing the magical essence of the original. Feel lucky that you are reading this lady’s translation.
My love for the novel is because this is a novel about books and the importance of the written word to educate and entertain. It made books all powerful -so much so that the place where they are kept is called a Cemetery of Forgotten Books- whose words have the power to destroy things…
When Daniel’s father brings him here, he tells him ‘it’s a sanctuary. Every book, every volume you see here has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it’
This is a tribute to books and to writers and readers alike. Chillingly creepy in places – the setting of the gothic streets and architecture of Barcelona is as magical as you would imagine and a thrilling guide to the soul of the city now.
The Shadow of the Wind – a work of art – a classic film noir that you would normally expect to see on the big screen – masterfully crafted amongst the pages of this book.
It certainly has all the makings of an epic film of the old Hollywood variety – dark smokey alleyways, crumbling buildings, young love and dark dark secrets.
