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What Members Thought
Lately it seems like I've been reading books set in Europe 1930-1950. This is a fantastic contemporary novel that does evoke a wonderful gothic feel. Romantic and engaging, if this book doesn't make you want to go to Barcelona, I'm not sure what will.
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Mystery, suspense, love, humor - all wrapped in a library full of books. . .
One of those novels that's impossible not to enjoy. It's definitely a throwback to those 19th century gothic potboilers - though without the updated take on sexuality. The author is intentionally very much a crowd pleaser. (Although truthfully, sometimes in his efforts to make his characters so likable, he pushed the 'too cutesy' factor for me.) But still, a minor gripe. This was totally fun. Rich in atmosphere, humor, love, mystery, revenge, politics ...blah blah blah [I'm sounding like a book
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Jul 08, 2012
Erika
rated it
liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
variousfictitiousforms,
mysterious
There are things about this book that I really loved. The language, the setting, the mishmash of genres, the ode to books and reading were all very captivating. However, the part that really lost me was the overly long letter that solved the entire mystery. It felt like a total copout. That and where the hell did this intense relationship with Bea even come from?
What fiction should be... enveloping and well thought with round characters. Mystery without cheap acrobatics. Ruiz Zafon incorporates romance and comedy avoiding the harlequin common in drugstore suspense. Perfect for a spring evening.
I read a quarter of this book and finally gave up. Too slow of a build for me. There are many people who like that kind of pacing, but for my low attention-span, I need things to get popping from the beginning.
Mar 06, 2008
Kai
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
all-time-favs,
translated
Read this a couple of years ago. This is one of my all time favorite books. I hope more of the authors books get translated in english.
Jan 21, 2011
Kate (kate_reads_)
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites
Jan 21, 2014
Rich
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2016-reads,
2015-reads
