The Jolly Good Reading Society discussion

Please leave your comments here. Don't forget to mark your comment "spoilers" if it is applicable.

I've just seen that the Waterstones Loves edition has extra bits at the back, including maps and photos of the setting. Now I don't know whether to read those bits first, to get into the setting, or leave them until last...

I have that edition and hadn't noticed the extras (I avoid the backs of books I haven't read normally)
Thanks Stephen :)

I'm enjoying it so far. I haven't had much spare time (working all weekend) but I hope to devote some time to the book over the next few days.

I'm having an enjoyable read, although I do have some comments on the writing so far. In the narrative, there's often a regular use of multi-syllabic words - this sometimes breaks the flow for me. I don't know if it's the author or the translator who's responsible, and whether it's done because of (1) they are attempting to make the book a little more intellectual, or (2) because this is the narrative of Daniel when he's older; they are trying to make him sound more academic. Anyone with ideas?

Also, when name-dropping famous people who have frequented the locations (i.e., Lord Byron, George Bernard Shaw and, to a lesser extent, Victor Hugo) - it just looks to me as though these have been substituted for the original Spanish celebrities. I almost want to get the original and find out!

Anyway, the pace is good and I'm interested in finding out what happens next (I'd better keep reading, otherwise Jen will hunt me down.. Wales ain't that far away!)

Stephen! I'm not that bad lol. (note to self "must install a naughty step for Stephen")

I'm halfway through the book now and although the story is quite intruiging I don't feel any empathy for the characters. Maybe that will change as the story progresses.

I've finished the book and I found it a very enjoyable read. I loved the way all the loose ends were cleared up by the end of the story. At some points I felt it had been written with hopes of being made into a film and therefore wasn't surprised to hear that Carlos Ruiz Zafron is in fact a scriptwriter lol.
He's a talented writer and I will definitely read the next two books in the series based on my opinion of this one :)

Not sure about this one so far -its just not grabbing me - and I keep being distracted by the very adult thoughts and feelings of the 10 year old Daniel. I'll keep trying though :)

Lee wrote: "Not sure about this one so far -its just not grabbing me - and I keep being distracted by the very adult thoughts and feelings of the 10 year old Daniel. I'll keep trying though :)"

I agree. Either I'm getting used to it, or it gets better. I've excused it with the idea that we're listening to a much older Daniel, telling us about his childhood.

Hi - I'm new to this group and will jump in here and say that Shadow of the Wind is one of my favourite books ever, possibly THE favourite.

I love the writing style, the characters, especially Fermin and the unfolding of the plot. I found The Angel's Game a little harder to follow initially, but when The Prisoner of Heaven came along, it nearly blew my socks off. It ties the first two stories together in a very satisfying way. They are not fast reads, but most definitely worth the effort.

Chris wrote: "I love the writing style, the characters, especially Fermin..."

Hi Chris!

Funny.. I was about to log in, after reading a little more while dinner was cooking, to say that I particularly like Fermin - I'd like to meet that guy!