These switches and flashbacks often take form in letters being given to Daniel or interviews with an elder character that has “something to say”. Often these flashbacks are to provide further information on a character that we previously thought was just on the fringes. In fact, it sort of “interrupts” the story since whenever the narrative changed, not only did we leave Daniel’s point of view, but we also left his time. However, for a mystery/noir novel it seemed a bit strange for me at first. In those types of stories having chapters narrated by different characters is par for the course. Now, this isn’t new by any stretch, for those of you that read fantasy novels like Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings. One aspect of the story that I found interesting is that the narrative will sometimes change from character to character. I hesitate to say more as Ruiz Zafon masterfully intertwined the narratives and characters in a way that to open the box is to spoil the story. The novel evolves into a mystery and at times horror story where in his search to find more novels by Carax, Daniel uncovers secrets and people that should have been left in the shadows. From this point our story actually begins as Daniel begins his search for anything written by this Julian Carax. Daniel becomes immersed in the book and becomes enamored with the author’s style and storytelling, to the point of obsession.
Upon arriving home Daniel decides to crack open the volume and give it a read. Daniel subsequently selects a book called “The Shadow of the Wind” by an unknown author named Julian Carax. He is also under strict orders to not tell anyone about the labyrinth, orders that Daniel fails miserably at later in the story.
Daniel’s father gives him specific instructions to select one book from the labyrinth to keep and cherish. One particular day his father takes him to a secret labyrinth that contains an endless amount of books. The story begins with Daniel Sempere and his father running their bookstore. Throughout the entire piece you capture completely Ruiz Zafon’s love for books through the conversations with the characters, some of the characters themselves being book dealers and the family of the protagonist owning a bookstore. Books are the center of the story, and one particular book drives the narrative and the life of our main protagonist, Daniel Sempere. The novel itself is in the style of a noir gothic novel with an historical fiction element attached to it. This book written by Spanish author Carlos Ruiz Zafon is clearly a love letter to the art of reading, writing, and books themselves. This is the only book I’ve read three times and frankly, I may read it again years from now. I read it in English in high school, in Spanish when I lived in Boston, and once again last month in Spanish. The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books.
Originally Published: 2001 A love letter to books and authors
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