Description

A stunning literary thriller in the tradition of Umberto Eco. The discovery of a forgotten book leads to a hunt for an elusive author who may or may not still be alive…

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.

Publisher Review

A real page-turner of a mystery that will have you hooked from beginning to end * SPAINSH MAGAZINE * the main character's deep love for books and their respective, secret libraries -- CECELIA AHERN * IRISH TIMES * a great thriller -- CECELIA AHERN * MARIE CLAIRE * A page turning exploration of obsession in literature and love * SUNDAY EXPRESS * I couldn't put it down but didn't want to rush is as every sentence is beautifully crafted and every character unique. -- SANTA MONTEFIORE * EVENING STANDARD * a magical tale of romance -- CECELIA AHERN * SUNDAY EXPRESS * The best book I've ever read -- AMANDA LAMB * WOMAN AND HOME * one of the most engaging, funny, moving, lyrical books * IRISH EXAMINER * This bewitching novel has all the hallmarks of a classic Holy Grail story complete with mystery, mayhem, romance and labyrinthine plotting. What elevates it above all others in the genre is its emotional energy, making it a richly rewarding read. * DAILY MAIL * a wonderful portrait of Barcelona - not the sunny, culture rich and fun loving city break destination that most visitors know - but a shadowy, at times dark and atmospheric picture of the city centre streets in the years following the Spanish Civil War. * LIVING SPAIN * It was only The Da Vinci Code that stopped The Shadow of the Wind from hogging the top of the bestseller charts last year... 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. * THE GUARDIAN * This week's book barely needs an introduction. Almost every book group I know about had read The Shadow of the Wind... the book is about a boy who becomes obsessed with an author. It is set in Barcelona during a bloody time in Spain's history and there is, as you would expect from a bestseller, plenty of death, murder, love and heroism. * THE TIMES BOOK CLUB * crowd-pleaser in the mode of The Da Vinci Code... Intertwining playful detective caper, compelling political thriller and sweeping historical romance, the narrative coils back beyond the savagery of the civil war to the world of the tainted Spanish aristocracy, before slowly unravelling the dark secrets born of Franco's tyranny. Zafon's novel... leave the reader with a palpable sense of enchantment. * SUNDAY TIMES * A sensation across Europe... a page-turning mystery.... a coming of age tale.... And it's a hymn of praise to all the joys of reading, stylishly caught in Lucia Graves's entrancing translation. -- Boyd Tonkin * INDEPENDENT * 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 * A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love * Sunday Express * A deeply satisfying, rich, full read * Sunday Telegraph * 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 * Diabolically good * Elle * 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 * A book lover's dream * The Times * One of those rare novels that combine brilliant plotting with sublime writing * Sunday Times * A magical tale -- Cecilia Ahern A hymn of praise to all the joys of reading * Independent * Part gothic mystery, past ribald comedy, part political thriller, part Borgesian parable, and all marvellous * Sunday Times *