The Shadow of the Wind
- Narrated by:
- Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins
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- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:05-06-05
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
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Publisher's Summary
Barcelona, 1945: Just after the war, a great world city lies in shadow, nursing its wounds, and a boy named Daniel awakes on his 11th birthday to find that he can no longer remember his mother's face. To console his only child, Daniel's widowed father, an antiquarian book dealer, initiates him into the secret of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a library tended by Barcelona's guild of rare-book dealers as a repository for books forgotten by the world, waiting for someone who will care about them again.
Daniel's father coaxes him to choose a volume from the spiraling labyrinth of shelves, one that, it is said, will have a special meaning for him. And Daniel so loves the novel he selects, The Shadow of the Wind by one Julian Carax, that he sets out to find the rest of Carax's work. To his shock, he discovers that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book this author has written. In fact, he may have the last one in existence. Before Daniel knows it, his seemingly innocent quest has opened a door into one of Barcelona's darkest secrets, an epic story of murder, magic, madness, and doomed love.
An uncannily absorbing historical mystery, a heart-piercing romance, and a moving homage to the mystical power of books, The Shadow of the Wind is a triumph of the storyteller's art.
Translated by Lucia Graves.
©2001 Carlos Ruiz Zafon; Translation ©2004 Lucia Graves; (P)2004 Penguin Audio
What the Critics Say
"If you thought the true gothic novel died with the 19th century, this will change your mind. Shadow is the real deal, a novel full of cheesy splendor and creaking trapdoors, a novel where even the subplots have subplots; this is one gorgeous read." (Stephen King)
"Superbly entertaining." (Washington Post Book World)
"Carlos Ruiz Zafon has written a masterful novel of hope, mystery, and love, made more superb on audio." (AudioFile)
"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)
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What Members Say
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"One of my very favorite books"
I had read this book when I stumbled on it by accident and absolutely loved it. The bargain price on Audible tempted me to purchase the audio version and I am so glad I did. The narrator does a fabulous job on this story of characters you come to love. If you are even thinking you might like this book; I bet you'll love it!
7 of 8 people found this review helpful -
Kathleen Lafayette, CA, United States 12-06-06 Member Since 2017
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"True Mystery Simply Delightful"
Having read most of the reviews before mine, I agree with the pros and cons of this book, however since this is a work of translation I kept this in mind wandering through the wind with Danielle... and conjuring up images of post war Madrid from an historical perspective. I loved the narrator (he narrated Snow Crash for those of you who are searching for him which I gave 5 star and wrote a review) and the music as corny and it might have sounded it somehow hit the right note :)... The first chapter is simple and deceptive because each story branches off into other stories with new characters with quirks, twitches and authentic voices you can see the cafe or the hat shop or the mansion where the murders took place... I love to listen to the language if you do you will love this book.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful -
"It has been years since I loved a book this much!"
What made the experience of listening to The Shadow of the Wind the most enjoyable?The language is so beautiful - you are so beguiled by the descriptions - places, things and times I have never lived were brought into reality - I could see it all.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Shadow of the Wind?It's too hard to name one without spoiling one of several moments for the next reader.
Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?I have not, but this one was exquisite. I have started The Angel's Game - a different performer is doing that one and I normally love him as a reader, but for these stories, I can't imagine anyone being better than Jonathan Davis.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?I guess I had two - first, I was crying at the beautiful ending, and second, I immediately began to listen to it again. I had to make myself go on to another book after I finished it for the 2nd time!!
Any additional comments?I cannot believe I waited thirteen years to read this beautiful, mysterious book!
6 of 7 people found this review helpful -
Stephanie ALBUQUERQUE, NM, United States 03-24-11 Member Since 2013
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- 7
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 97
- 12
"Narrator is brilliant; piano is distracting"
As others have noted, Zafon's own piano score does not help this narration. Davis is a great narrator who does the Spanish impeccably and adds distinctive touches to each character's voice, but when the piano came on I was so distracted. It tends to crank up whenever a woman appears, too, as if we are supposed to take notice of how very ephemeral and mysterious she is. (All his female characters are ephemeral and mysterious.) I hope the producers take note of these comments and consider removing that piano from later editions. I also agree wholeheartedly with the comment to have the physical book on hand (mine was from the library) to keep the characters and especially the POV character straight. When we went into Nuria's POV, I began to get very confused, and even Davis's narration couldn't help me. Otherwise, very enjoyable listen.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful -
"shadow of the wind"
Beautiful, sheer poetry, great audio presentation. This original story is inspiring and I will listen again and again.
16 of 20 people found this review helpful -
MARCIA Lake Forest, CA, United States 05-29-09 Member Since 2011
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- 72
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"A great piece of literature"
Sometimes, if a devoted reader is lucky, he or she finds a book of such greatness that the effect is overwhelming. This is one of those rare finds. Other listeners have commented on the skill of the author and the talent of the narrator but I think it is imperative to also honor the gifted translator who did an outstanding job maintaining the integrity and poetry of the original work. I heartily recommend this book to all lovers of great literature.
9 of 11 people found this review helpful -
"Worth a listen"
I believe this was the author's first adult novel and it definitely shows. The story is a but predictable, but nevertheless very entertaining. The subtle music during certain parts of the audible made me feel as if i were back in a time before television, sitting around the sitting room with my family staring at the radio listening to the narrator telling a story. Im relatively new to audio books and this was the first book that had that feature. The narrator was good at maintaining various voices for the different characters which made for a more enjoyable story telling. I definitely recommend this audio book for those who love books with a decent vocabulary and love the Spanish accent.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful -
"I must have missed something."
I never got involved with the characters. I found much of it gruesome. The language was beautiful at times, but at times it was melodramatic. I wish I had gotten as much out of it as other readers have.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"great listen"
This is one of those few books that makes you drive the car extra blocks so that you can keep listening. It is multi-layered with plots going deeper and deeper. But it is not hard to follow. The audio production is excellent - the voices clear but with interesting accents. There is a liberal use of music which adds to the already deeply atmospheric book. One of my favorites for a long time. A good story, well produced.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful -
"A Book lover's Book"
This was a beautifully written, beautifully read, and translated book. I enjoyed every laugh out loud moment (there were many) and was entertained from start to finish. This book reminds me to appreciate the privelage and joy I have recieved through my many years of diligent (and sometimes obsessive) readership. Don't believe the naysayers, they can only be readers looking for television style appeal. This book has heart and soul and Jonathan Davis is the bomb. I actually found this book by looking for other books he has read after listening to "Snow Crash" (another excellent selection).
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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