The Shadow of the Wind was written by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, a hispanic novelist. I had high expectations when I began reading, because Stephen King had written a review, also because mystery has always enthralled me. I thought the idea of this cemetery of forgotten books, was very cool, and a nice thing to imagine. I also really liked how the book was conclusive in all ways, and how the beginning was a mirror of the ending. I really like books, and movies that loop around, because it makes you continue to think even after you have finished. It makes you wonder if Julian's kids way off someday will also do this.
However there were some major things that I did not like about it. I thought the book was way too long. I feel like a lot of the descriptions were unnecessary, to the point of the author almost just rambling.
I would rate this book a 7.5, because it was a book that made you need to know what happens next, but the amount of time it took to tell you was a little much. I would probably not recommend this book to a classmate, mainly because of how drawn out it was (I think 350 pages could have done it, because I was not as interested in some of the subplots). But if I were to recommend it, it would be easier because it can appeal to a wide variety, from mystery fans, to romance (I thought it was super cute how Daniel and Beatriz got married!).
My favorite part of the book was when we first see the library of forgotten books. "Every book, every volume you see here has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. (p5)" I thought it was really cool how they said like the book had been waiting there for Daniel, and ultimately that book shaped and changed his entire life. After reading this book (as corny as it sounds) I actually do view libraries differently. When I was about halfway through the book I was in the car and passed a second hand book shop, and I made my family stop there. This book really glorifies storytelling, and helped reopen me back up to reading for pleasure.
