You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Wow Janice, you must have really enjoyed it to have finished soo soon =]

I'm just up to Chapter 32 now and have been able to read some of the spoilers. (view spoiler)[I quite like the symmetry between Daniel's life and that of Julian's and I'm curious to know whether his relationship with Bea and Tomas will be affected in a similar way to that or Jorge and Julian. (hide spoiler)]

I liked Janita's story in Chapter 31 (view spoiler)[it really helped unravel some more of the mystery. It seemed to me that Janita became a better surrogate mother than Penelope's actual mother. It always amazes me how in books from back in the day, mothers gave birth but didn't really seem to care and love their children much =/ Most of the time letting others feed and dress and teach them.

I quite like the little we've seen of Janita, she seems like such a nice person and it's sad to just see her thrown out of the Aldaya's and into an asylum =[

It's coming together now with why Julian had to leave Barcelona and why Penelope couldn't get to the train. I'm just wondering how Nuria Montfort fits into this now, as I'm guessing her Miquel is the one from Julian's childhood (hide spoiler)]

I have just finished it. I LOVED it! It has gone straight onto my all-time favourites shelf and I actually wish I had read it sooner.

So, (view spoiler)[Coubert was Julian Carax! I felt so sorry for him, he was such a tragic character and had been through so much both physically and mentally. As I said in an earlier post, he reminded me a lot of the Phantom of the Opera. It was nice to think that he was able to find some peace at the end and was able to lay the ghosts of his past to rest. I also thought it was nice of him to go and visit Jacinta in the hospice and give her some peace of mind just before she died. Nuria's involvement in the story also tugged at the heartstrings. She was so loyal to Julian and seemed to love him unconditionally, even though she knew she never truly had his heart in return.

I really enjoyed the ending, I thought it tied up everything really well. At least Fumero got his comeuppance in the end! I was also glad that Daniel's father was actually his real father after all. It would have been horrible if Daniel's life had mirrored that of Julian in that respect and some other guy had turned out to be his father. (hide spoiler)]

What a character Fermín is! He is just brilliant! Daniel was great too!

Does anyone else think that this would make a really good film or tv series? I, for one, would love to see one.

I have really enjoyed taking part in this buddy read/discussion. Happy reading to those of you who are still working your way through it :)

I've just finsihed and really enjoyed it. It did start off slow but the second half of the book was exciting, that I had difficulty putting it down. I love how everything came together really well.

(view spoiler)[I was quite glad when Fumero got what came to him, and liked the fact that the policeman, Palacios stepped in at the Aldaya's mansion. I think it had come to the point where he'd seen enough of Fumero's evil doings and left Carax to finish him off.

I enjoyed the ending and was relieved that it ended well with Bea and Daniel getting married. (hide spoiler)]

I'm interested in reading the next book now and look forward to hearing other people's thoughts on this book.

There were two reasons that I zipped through the book. One was that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The other was that I borrowed it from the digital library and wanted to finish it before it disappeared off my iPad.

About Daniel (view spoiler)[ I like that his father was indeed his father. Maybe the symmetry comes into play in that Julian perceived Daniel as a son.

We had speculated about Coubert's warning about losing one's senses over a woman. In retrospect, we know that it was intended as advice, and not the threat it appeared to be. (hide spoiler)]

Wow everyone has zipped along with this one. I put it down to finish my other book so I'm only 50 pages in. Will come back to this one later today probably.

I'm just starting chapter 10 and Daniel has just had his 16th birthday (view spoiler)[I could see it coming him finding Clara and Neri - I really felt for him. Clara must have known how Daniel felt and I think she should have tried harder to discourage him, or at the very least tell him that she was interested in Neri. It was out of order for Neri to beat Daniel I thought. Just met Fermin who seems like a right character. I'm looking forward to hearing more from him. The guy with the burnt face is a bit creepy. I know Clara mentioned him previously before Daniel actually met him but I think I must have missed his name.

I had to laugh when Fermin said that he was an optimist and that "the present regime's days are numbered" - Franco was in charge for another 25 years after that! Crazy that nobody did anything about it - Fermin mentioned the possibility of America invading and freeing them of Franco!
(hide spoiler)]

Sarah wrote: "I'm just starting chapter 10 and Daniel has just had his 16th birthday...."

I agree with you about (view spoiler)[ Neri beating Daniel up. Mind you, he wasn't in the book long enough to develop his character, and that scene established that clearly and succinctly. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to chapter 17 now and things are getting very intriguing now! So Fermin has been cleaned up (view spoiler)[I am so pleased that Daniel and his father gave him a chance - he seems like such a natural in the bookshop. And definitely a character. I really felt for him when he freaked out in his room. I wonder what caused it?! I laughed when they took him to the cinema for the first time - at first grumbling that it was only for idiots and half wits (or something along those lines) and then he became fixated on the breast of the female star. I also really like Daniel's sense of humour - he can be quite dry and sarcastic at times. I also laughed when Fermin met Bernarda in the shop.

I wonder who left the photo of Carax on the counter top.

It was good finding out more about Tomas and Bea and I will be curious to find out what happens now that Daniel and Bea have reconciliation. Will she end up being his new love (or at least crush)?

Definitely interesting how Carax's life seems to echo the Shadow of the Wind book but then again many author's do base some elements of their stories on their own lives so I suppose it is no surprise that Carax also did that. I enjoyed hearing about Carax and and parents and Daniel's visit to the old hat shop. I want to know what happened between Carax and Penelope after reading that letter from her.

I really don't like Inspector Fumero - he was so rude to Daniel in the shop and obviously the rumours of how he has treated others.
(hide spoiler)]

Sarah, your comments about Fermin make me think of (view spoiler)[the Loony Toon's Pepe le Pew in his seduction of Penelope (ha!, another Penelope) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lsQf... (hide spoiler)]

Just finished chapter 19 (view spoiler)[I was shocked to hear that the watchmaker was arrested although I knew something was coming after Inspector Fumero spoke to Daniel in the shop. I suppose what was most shocking about it was the way he was treated while in custody and the state of him afterwards with all his injuries. But also the fact that someone can be arrested and detained for being a transvestite and/or homosexual is so outrageous. So Fumero has followed through on one of his threats so now I'm expecting him to turn up for Fermin any minute. (hide spoiler)]

Just saw your video Janice and it made me laugh. Yes I can picture Fermin being a little like that with Bernarda!

I have found my groove finally with this book and am up to chapter 40. What i needed apparently, was daylight savings finishing so nice and dark, add on top a stormy week, and then Lexx's ruling that he only wants to read by candlelight in bed now as the white/blue lights are keeping him awake, so I need about 4 candles by my bed to read.

So with that setting, reading about the background to the Aldaya house (view spoiler)[ the architect, his wife and maid and their endings up (hide spoiler)], the visit to the old governess (view spoiler)[old asylums freak me the hell out and even though it seems like this one is in the 50s, that one was like going back to Bedlam. Urgh (hide spoiler)], and the other visits to the house (view spoiler)[ particularly the boiler, the bathroom and the crypt one (view spoiler)[ why on earth has Daniel not told anyone about the crypt?!? That seems like an important thing to tell the people who are working with him to solve the puzzle (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)], were way more impacting.

I'm finally getting the whole gothic mystery feel. I wonder if I should read it again some time... yeah right, like I'll ever get through all the other books I want to read in my life to do that.

Sarah wrote: "Just finished chapter 19 [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree (view spoiler)[ The thing I find most disgusting about it, is it's not just a way of the past. Still. Uganda, Nigeria and Russia spring to mind as the most recent lot. /sigh (hide spoiler)]

Judy wrote: "One of my favorite books of all time. TJ, were there any surprises for you?"

Definitely, Judy!

Like I recall being quite taken by surprise in chapter 15 to find out that (view spoiler)[ Nuria had lied to Daniel. She had seemed like such a reliable character to me, and so I was surprised to consider, as Fermin points out, "that she may have done so (lied), and probably did so, in many others" (p.189) (hide spoiler)].

I know that the very biggest surprise for me came much later when on page 377 (view spoiler)[that Julian and Penelope were brother and sister (1/2 bro-sis)!! That totally took me by surprise!! (hide spoiler)].

And I was almost equally shocked by the turn of events on page 384 when it's revealed that (view spoiler)[both Penelope and her stillborn son were buried in the basement crypt. Yikes!! But it made a lot of sense. And helped explain a lot more about the anger of Penelope's father, too (hide spoiler)].

After that all the pieces pretty much fell neatly into place. Very entertaining and suspenseful!

Rusalka wrote: "I have found my groove finally with this book and am up to chapter 40. What i needed apparently, was daylight savings finishing so nice and dark, add on top a stormy week, and then Lexx's ruling th..."

Reading by candlelight is very fitting for this book. Sets the ambiance. :)

Candlelight sounds like perfect ambiance for this book.

One complaint I had about the ebook version was the fairly frequent instance of words missing a space between them. Found myself tripping over these instances. Distracting and a bit annoying.

A few quotes I liked from towards the end:

Page 371:(view spoiler)[ "Making money isn't hard in itself. What's hard is to earn it doing something worth devoting one's life to (hide spoiler)].

Page 445:(view spoiler)[ "Time has taught me not to lose hope. Yet not to trust too much in hope either. Hope is cruel, and has no conscience (hide spoiler)].

Page 478:(view spoiler)[ "May God bless you all." "And may you live to see it" (hide spoiler)].

Great quotes, TJ!

Rusalka wrote: "I completely agree [spoilers removed]"

Yes unfortunately it isn't a thing of the past as you say! I read yours and Janice's spoilers about that section (view spoiler)[and how the subject was changed quickly and everyone went back to what they were doing. I too felt that there should be more outrage but I like what Janice said about it reflecting life and how we shut out things which are painful so as not be overwhelmed by them. (hide spoiler)]

I've just finished reading chapter 28 (view spoiler)[It has been good finding out more about the Aldayas and Fumero from the priest and the history of the Aldaya house from Bea. All very dark and mysterious! I am pleased for Daniel finding Bea but at the same time I am worried where it will end as his life does seem to be mirroring Carax's. (hide spoiler)]

I loved those quotes too TJ! This book is jam-packed with them! I wrote so many down in my little 'quote' notebook :)

Sarah wrote: "I've just finished reading chapter 28 [spoilers removed]"

I really enjoyed that part too Sarah. I think it was one of my favourite parts of the entire book (although I loved it all). I felt the same way about (view spoiler)[Daniel and Bea too. (hide spoiler)]

Just finished chapter 32 (view spoiler)[while I enjoyed reading about Daniel and Fermin's trip up to visit the old Governess it also broke my heart hearing her story and that of Penelope and Julian. I'm thinking that Daniel might be their child especially as a couple people have now said how much he looks like Carax. Carax's father was so bitter - I couldn't believe it when he went to see Aldaya.

I was shocked to read about Fumero beating up Fermin. God knows what crime must have been like in Spain at that time if even the Police can go around doing things like that to people. Fumero is a nasty piece of work and he definitely has something to do with Carax's demise.

Fermin is great and I think he may end up being one of my all time favourite characters.
(hide spoiler)]

Those were my thoughts too Sarah. (view spoiler)[It was a really enjoyable chapter because it filled in a lot of the backstory with regards to Julian and Penelope and the people associated with them but it definitely tugged at the heartstrings. The whole thing is quite tragic really.

Ugh, Fumero is just vile! I don't think I have disliked a character as much as him for a long while! (hide spoiler)]

Fermin is a great character, isn't he Sarah? He's definitely one of my favourites too.

Yes Fermin is great. And I agree with you Lisa about Fumero and I think he makes my list of most hated characters!

Agree about Fumero. He creeps me out in a way few characters do.

Just finished chapter 36 (view spoiler)[that was so creepy in the Aldaya house when the door banged open when Daniel and Bea were in the bathroom, followed by Daniel's discovery in the crypt below. I'm not surprised they fled sharpish from the place. I'm curious about what is wrong with Bea. Is she pregnant? Just being kept inside by her father?

So I wasn't expecting to read that Daniel will be dead in 7 days! No my brain is searching for why that might be the case and all the possibilities! I don't want him to die.

It was good to hear Fermin's story and about his previous run ins with Fumero. But again, heartbreaking.
(hide spoiler)]

I just started part 3 (? finished chapt 44 I think).

I do feel very sorry for Daniel (view spoiler)[ as he seems so alone at the moment, and as in Sarah's spoiler, I feel worse for him to be so alone in his possible last few days.

However, I have little sympathy in a way for his aloneness when he has a father there who he's completely shut out of his life. I feel like ever since he started this Carax expose he's told everyone everything, except his Dad. That's a little mean.

I'm interested in this story Nuria's about to tell everyone. I just wanted to give Issac a big hug in her apartment.

And the policeman after her funeral really pipped my interest too... maybe not all policemen are baddies... (hide spoiler)]

I agree, Rusalka, about feeling sorry for Daniel, but also... (view spoiler)[feeling that he's not really being entirely fair to his father. I think it stems from Daniel feeling like his father isn't being fair to him.

But seems like Daniel has been the model son his entire life, and is now due a bit of healthy rebelliousness and independence. I see it as necessary parent/child separation for healthy maturation. Doesn't mean they can't/won't reconnect in the near future, and maybe becoming even closer, more as equals. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 of part 3 (view spoiler)[ WOAH! Didn't see that coming. (hide spoiler)]

Oh I get that Janet (view spoiler)[ I guess I just feel like Daniel didn't really have much to rebel against. I don't really understand the not being fair to Daniel thing. I think I did miss something in the set up to their relationship, as people seem to be reading much more into it than I got. Esp the Daniel being Julian's son thing, didn't pick up on anything that suggested Daniel wasn't his dad's biological son. But I honestly may not have been paying attention. We will see of course... *runs off to read again* (hide spoiler)]

I am at the same point as you Rusalka - half way through chapter 2 of part 3 so I'm about to get to the WOAH bit I presume!

I too felt sorry for Daniel (view spoiler)[after Nuria's murder. He must have felt very responsible for it. I also felt for him when he was talking to his father about Fermin. Daniel knows the truth about Fermin but swore to keep his secret so is unable to reassure his father. I agree with you Rusalka about their relationship - not much to rebel against - he seems like a pretty easy going father and from what I can see their relationship is pretty good (other than Daniel keeping him in the dark). Yes my heart went out to Isaac in Nuria's apartment. I bet it was quite a shock for him reading that letter too. It is good to find out from Nuria about her, Julian and Miquel. They all seem so troubled and pining after someone they can't have. It must have been so lonely for all involved. Yes the policeman after the funeral was interesting and I have to say that I was waiting for him to approach Daniel - I had a feeling he wasn't a bad guy deep down. I think he knows more. (hide spoiler)]

Re: father/son relationship...

(view spoiler)[ I didn't see anything amiss between Daniel and his father. I look back to myself when I was his age and I was no different. My confidants were not my parents. I spilled my guts to my friends, and only went to my parents when I needed definitive guidance or help. So, I didn't get the feeling that Daniel was being particularly neglectful of his father.

I also didn't think along the lines of the possibility that his father wasn't his biological father until a suggestion here made me consider it. (hide spoiler)]

I suppose your right Janice (view spoiler)[I didn't tell my parents everything at that age either so I suppose it is true to life in that respect. However, Fermin was of an age with Daniel's father and he did confide in him. But I suppose he wouldn't get in trouble from Fermin like he would his dad. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not far off the end of part 3 now (in chapter 11) (view spoiler)[such a sad story. I understand how events unfolded now with Penelope, Jorge, Miquel, Fumero, and Julian. It does seem like they were all cursed - it didn't end well for any of them. So Carax is Coubert which I think someone earlier suspected. (hide spoiler)]

Sarah wrote: "I suppose your right Janice [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ But he considered Fermin to be his best friend and not a father figure. It will be interesting to see how that relationship continues in book 3. (hide spoiler)]

Not many pages to go now - Just starting the part titled "Post Mortem" which I assume is part 5 - my copy of the book does have part numbers to it. (view spoiler)[The stand off at the Aldaya house with Julian, Fumero and Daniel was pretty intense. So Daniel survived Tomas' beating, saved by Fermin only to be shot by Fumero! Back to reading now as I want to find out how it all ends! (hide spoiler)]

Just finished it. I devoured the last quarter of the book. It was so good. (view spoiler)[I am pleased than Daniel's life didn't completely mirror Julian's and that things ended well for him and Bea (and for that matter everyone else in the book). Pleased that Julian wrote another book. Pleased Fumero is out of the picture - he was a nasty piece of work.

I too liked that Julian went to see Jacinta with news of Penelope. I wondered whether with that news, Jacinta felt able to let go and go be with Penelope after all this time.

I am also pleased that Julian didn't find out than Penelope was his sister.
(hide spoiler)]

I thought this book was fantastic and can't wait for the follow ups, although I know the second one doesn't have these characters in.

I am so glad you enjoyed it Sarah! :)

I was also really glad that (view spoiler)[Julian didn't find out that Penelope was his sister. I think that would have destroyed what little there was left of him. (hide spoiler)]

Does anyone else's copy have bonus material at the end of the book? I own the UK paperback which has a short guide called 'A walk in the footsteps of the Shadow of the Wind' which gives a brief guided tour around some of the locations in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona which featured in or provided inspiration for the story, complete with black and white pictures of some of them. It was a nice way to finish off.

I had a UK paperback from the library but it didn't have any bonus material at the end - last page was (view spoiler)[Daniel taking young Julian to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. (hide spoiler)] I'd have liked to have read the extras.

Aww, that's a shame that it didn't have the bonus material. It was only a few pages but it was nice to have it included. I really want to go to Barcelona now that I have read this book!

I have that copy, Lisa. I will hopefully finish the book and read that bit tonight. Thanks for the heads up, i usually skip those things at the end of the book - reading guides, bookclub questions, first chapters, etc.

I read the audiobook which didn't have any of the bonus goodies at the end.

I'm so glad I can now read all your comments and spoilers! Also, thanks for reading this along with me. I started a good weeks before you all, but just hadn't had much time to read. Reading about all of you wanting to read it, and ripping past me, really helped me get out of a reading rut.

So after having to leave the book today with 1 chpt and 1 page to go for a meeting (computer beeped at me, I dismissed it thinking I had 15 mins. Turns out I had already dismissed it once and forgot about it, had 2 mins to get to the otherside of campus and hadn't printed out any of the budget papers... oops :P), I finished it.

The last quarter of the book was just one reveal after the other. I agree with the above. (don't read this spoiler until you finished) (view spoiler)[ my WHOA a few messages above was about the half siblings thing, but then it just kept hitting. Penelope's demise was horrifying. Miquel and Julian's switching. The warehouse fire. Julian avenging Nuria. Julian's knowledge of Daniel. Tomas and Daniel. The showdown in the house... Just what a jam packed little quarter!! (hide spoiler)]

Not my favourite read of the year, but I think that was more life circumstances than the book. It's always a bit sad when you recognise a book could have been a 5 starrer if you didn't have other things going on / different headspace. I'll definitely pick up the sequels.

I am glad you enjoyed it Rusalka, and that we helped get you out of your reading rut.

I agree, the last quarter really made your head spin (in a good way). There was so much going on! Just when you thought you had heard it all, something else was revealed!

Are you going to join in The Angel's Game buddy read next month?

I don't have it on me at this stage, and after my last book binge I really need to start reading what i own. But, never say never, especially when it's Russy and her books.

Lol. Hopefully you will join in with us ;)

I am the same, I always say I should stop buying books and start reading the ones I already own but it never works like that. I always buy more.

I'm glad you were wrenched out of your reading rut, Rusalka. Nothing like YLTO'ers to crack the whip. :)

The book I will start today is a re-read. When I first read it, I was preoccupied and kept getting distracted by my thoughts. Maybe one day you'll re-read Shadow when you're in a different mind set.

Lisa wrote: "I would also love to visit the Cemetery of Lost Books. It sounds like a book lover's paradise! I also like the idea that (view spoiler)[Daniel's father put to him about 'adopting' books and taking care of them so that they will always be known and enjoyed. (hide spoiler)] In a way, this story is like an ode to books and book lovers everywhere..."

Isn't what we do when we read and discuss a book here on GR kind of like what Daniel's father implied that he would do? We care for them and make sure that they will always be known by posting them on our reading lists, indicating when we buy them and when we are reading them, and tell why we are reading them?
We are all librarians of lost books. I love it!!!

Ooh, I like that idea Cherie! I guess we are all caretakers of books in a way. That is a nice thought! :)

That is a nice thought, Cherie!

I finished the book today and just finished reading through all of the spoilers.

I found an audio copy of the book on Overdrive and spent the whole weekend listening. I do not think I had time to really dwell on some of the bad things that happened in the story. Maybe because the reader's voice made the story so wonderful to listen to, I did not feel all of the gothic darkness maybe I should have felt. I was shocked by some of the things that happened (view spoiler)[the watchmaker and Fermin being so brutally beaten and what happened to Penelope and the baby (hide spoiler)]. I felt sorry for Daniel's father being left out so much. I loved Fermin and his crazy humor. I did spend some time looking things up in Barcelona and a little of the war history. I knew who Franco was and from other books how awful it was in Spain during his rule.

I loved the end too and the way everything was wrapped up.

I know many of you are reading the next book, but like Rusalka, I don't think I can get my head ready for the next one just yet.