Review - Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The book is set in the time period right after the Spanish Civil War and Daniel Sempere, the main character in the story is recently introduced to the cemetery of forgotten books. It is not exactly a bookstore but a place where “forgotten” books in Barcelona are kept from getting lost forever. In this place Daniel finds The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. Is it not amazing the book’s name is actually a book in the story. Daniel finds a great deal of mysteries associated with the book and the author, and the people connected to him. All this time, while solving mysteries, Daniel also finds love, and a comic sidekick. I guess if you are not hooked by now, then just start reading and you won’t be able to put it down.

On Wikipedia, The Shadow of the Wind is said to be a mystery, however after reading I realize that it is basically every genre packed into a bundle of awesome. Anything from comedy, romance, and even action you name it and I am sure that you will be able to find some hint of it in this novel. Indeed this is the reason why I recommend you read this book. Also the major suspense and a possible twist at the end makes it ever the more impossible to put down. Another reason is that the atmosphere created by the characters and the setting seems so real, that you feel like you are right there in Spain in the center of all the action. Definitely a good read.

- Dhruti Vajaria