The Shadow of the Wind

A wonderful book. Set in Barcelona under Franco's rule, this is by turns a gothic melodrama, a love story, a detective story and a horror story. Shades of Poe stalk the pages but the voice is truly the author's own. The story of Daniel who, when his father takes him to the Cemetary of Forgotten Books, chooses a novel by an unknown author called Julian Carax - The Shadow of The Wind.

Thus begins Daniel's fascination with this mysterious, unheralded writer and he begins to piece together Carax's past and a tragic tale is slowly revealed. And Daniel's own life begins to mirror that of Carax and he finds himself stalked by the venomous Inspector Fumero, who holds a fierce hatred for the supposedly dead writer.

The tale spans 40 years or more and reveals itself slowly. It is beautifully translated from the original Spanish and is a pleasure to read. Highly recommended!!!