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The Shadow of the Wind

By: Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Narrated by: James Wilby
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Publisher's Summary

Shortlisted for the British Book Awards, Author of the Year, 2006. A Richard and Judy Book Club Selection.

Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the "cemetery of lost books", a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out La Sombra del Viento by Julian Carax.

But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax's works in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind.

©2001 Carlos Ruiz Zafon (P)2005 Orion Publishing Group Ltd.

Critic Reviews

"One of the most engaging, funny, moving, lyrical books." ( Irish Examiner)
"Superbly entertaining." ( Washington Post Book World)
"Carlos Ruiz Zafon has written a masterful novel of hope, mystery, and love, made more superb on audio." ( AudioFile)
"Part detective story, part boy's adventure, part romance, fantasy, and gothic horror, the intricate plot is urged on by extravagant foreshadowing and nail-nibbling tension. This is rich, lavish storytelling." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about The Shadow of the Wind

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Fantastic

It was very gripping I could not put the book down. I really enjoyed it.

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English & Irish accents for the Spanish Protagonis

What did you like most about The Shadow of the Wind?

Fantastic story, have read the book also. I love the different way of thinking from the European Author and the story was captivating from start to finish. I was very disappinted by with the way it was Narrated. A story set in Barcelona and the Protagonists had English and Irish accents! ruined it.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of James Wilby?

Anyone with a Spanish Accent!!!

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Still my favourite..

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but when I picked up this book before I boarded a 17 hour flight I didn't realize that I would choose my forever favourite book. I have read that book nearing 20 times and each time I enjoy it more and more. When I found the audio book, I was thrilled!

Carlos Ruiz Zafon is my Julian Carax. The way he tells the story is superb, I have never been so enthralled in a story. I laughed, I cried and I felt genuine fear.

Could not recommend this book enough!

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