Description

AN ENCHANTING HARDBACK EDITION TO MARK 20 YEARS OF THE LITERARY MYSTERY THAT BECAME AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER . . .
‘One gorgeous read’ STEPHEN KING
‘A book lover’s dream’ THE TIMES
‘An instant classic’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘A hymn of praise to all the joys of reading’ INDEPENDENT

At the first light of dawn in postwar Barcelona, a bookseller leads his son through the misty streets to a library hidden in the heart of the old city. Here, in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, are shelves and shelves of stories that have been forgotten by the world, waiting for someone who will care about them again. Ten-year-old Daniel is allowed to choose just one to protect, and he selects The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax.

But when Daniel sets out to find the author’s other books, he makes a shocking discovery: someone is determinedly burning every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Before he knows it, Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest has plunged him into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets, and he is embroiled in an epic story of murder, magic and doomed love.

Since The Shadow of the Wind’s first publication, more than 20 million readers have opened a heavy wooden door, stepped into the haunting world of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and fallen in love. This modern classic brings to life Barcelona’s gothic streets and hidden corners, and reminds us of the all-encompassing power of a well-told story . . .

Publisher Review

Part gothic mystery, past ribald comedy, part political thriller, part Borgesian parable, and all marvellous * Sunday Times * A hymn of praise to all the joys of reading * Independent * A magical tale — Cecilia Ahern One of those rare novels that combine brilliant plotting with sublime writing * Sunday Times * A book lover’s dream * The Times * Irresistibly readable…Walk down any street in Zafon’s Barcelona and you’ll glimpse the shades of the past and the secrets of the present * Guardian * Diabolically good * Elle * This gripping novel has the feel of a gothic ghost story complete with crumbling, ivy-covered mansions, gargoyles and dank prison cells…this is just the sort of literary mystery that would have found favour with Wilkie Collins * Daily Mail * A deeply satisfying, rich, full read * Sunday Telegraph * A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love * Sunday Express * An astounding critical success. There’s an intricate plot, a gothic atmosphere and an elusive quest, as well as murders, intrigue and star-crossed lovers * Guardian * Part detective story, part boy’s adventure, part romance, fantasy, and gothic horror, the intricate plot is urged on by extravagant foreshadowing and nail-nibbling tension. This is rich, lavish storytelling * Booklist *