The Barcelona Mysteries by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
For a person who loved to read books, who worked in libraries on and off in her younger years, and who still dream of working in a bookstore one day, I feel sad that books are no longer an integral part of my life anymore: I either don't have the time to indulge in a good book, or I don't have the focus to finish one, or my aging eyes make it a chore to read. However, recently, I have been determined to start reading again. I try to find books that interest me, read books on e-readers where I can enlarge the print, or listen to audio versions of good books.
I recently discovered the novels of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, a novelist from Spain who has a real knack for creating fascinating worlds using written words. Many of his books take place in the rich historic Barcelona between 1900 and 1960's. I can only describe his books as mystical fantasies, often taking place in sinister gothic buildings, where evil lurks in the shadows, where imagination and reality are often blurred and people are trapped in prisons of their own creations and of an oppressive state. Written words can be a person's only salvation yet there are malevolent entities who seek to bury the words and destroy the secrets that books and letters hold. It is up to the initiated few who are entrusted to guard important books of the world in the "Cemetary of Forgotten Books" to make sure they are kept alive forever.
The books by Zafon I found in my local library are translated from Spanish. His first adult novel "The Shadow of the Wind," is a mystery that involves young Daniel Sempere's quest to find out why someone is trying to destroy every book written by author Julian Carax. The twists and turns of war time Barcelona politics, forbidden love and buried secrets captures the readers attention masterfully. "The Angels Game" is a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind, also set in Barcelona but about David Martin, a young writer who is approached by a mysterious figure to write a book and his descent into madness. Finally, "The Prisoner of Heaven" returns to Daniel Sempre and his search for a buried secret that involves his mother. It is also revealed that there is a connection between Sempre's mother and David Martin from "The Angel's Game". Unfortunately, this latest book, while engrossing, ends with a note that leaves no doubt that there will be another book to continue the storyline. That next book is not yet published.
I am listening to The Watcher in the Shadow, an early work by Zafon and is billed as a young adult novel. However, the intricate story about life in Normandy just before WWII, a toy maker who crafts complicated yet sinister automatons, a young girl and boy who inadvertently comes across an unspeakable terror involving the toymaker is currently keeping my attention fully engaged. Like his other books, there are times when the story sends shivers down my spine which doesn't happy that often to me anymore.
I highly recommend Zafon's books to any adult interested in fantasies, history and mysteries. I also recommend Zafon's older young adult works: Judging from the Watcher in the Shadow (originally published as "Las Luces de Septiembre" in 1993, any young adult, or adult, who enjoyed 2007's The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Seznick will surely embrace this book.
I recently discovered the novels of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, a novelist from Spain who has a real knack for creating fascinating worlds using written words. Many of his books take place in the rich historic Barcelona between 1900 and 1960's. I can only describe his books as mystical fantasies, often taking place in sinister gothic buildings, where evil lurks in the shadows, where imagination and reality are often blurred and people are trapped in prisons of their own creations and of an oppressive state. Written words can be a person's only salvation yet there are malevolent entities who seek to bury the words and destroy the secrets that books and letters hold. It is up to the initiated few who are entrusted to guard important books of the world in the "Cemetary of Forgotten Books" to make sure they are kept alive forever.
The books by Zafon I found in my local library are translated from Spanish. His first adult novel "The Shadow of the Wind," is a mystery that involves young Daniel Sempere's quest to find out why someone is trying to destroy every book written by author Julian Carax. The twists and turns of war time Barcelona politics, forbidden love and buried secrets captures the readers attention masterfully. "The Angels Game" is a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind, also set in Barcelona but about David Martin, a young writer who is approached by a mysterious figure to write a book and his descent into madness. Finally, "The Prisoner of Heaven" returns to Daniel Sempre and his search for a buried secret that involves his mother. It is also revealed that there is a connection between Sempre's mother and David Martin from "The Angel's Game". Unfortunately, this latest book, while engrossing, ends with a note that leaves no doubt that there will be another book to continue the storyline. That next book is not yet published.
I am listening to The Watcher in the Shadow, an early work by Zafon and is billed as a young adult novel. However, the intricate story about life in Normandy just before WWII, a toy maker who crafts complicated yet sinister automatons, a young girl and boy who inadvertently comes across an unspeakable terror involving the toymaker is currently keeping my attention fully engaged. Like his other books, there are times when the story sends shivers down my spine which doesn't happy that often to me anymore.
I highly recommend Zafon's books to any adult interested in fantasies, history and mysteries. I also recommend Zafon's older young adult works: Judging from the Watcher in the Shadow (originally published as "Las Luces de Septiembre" in 1993, any young adult, or adult, who enjoyed 2007's The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Seznick will surely embrace this book.
Comments
Post a Comment