The Book Club: An Introduction

The Prince of Mist, The Angel's Game, The Shadow of the Wind, The Midnight Palace, Marina and The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

If you're anything like me then there is something rather magical about being immersed within a really good book. I can't seem to shake off the love affair for the traditional printed book but whether you choose the tangible or the electronic, it is such a rewarding and addictive pastime which you can enjoy pretty much anywhere at anytime. The trouble is for those who can't find their niche within the book world or simply just consume so much stories that finding out those gems proves difficult, it is sometimes hard to identify the novels you should be buying. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to books, you may prefer the lighter reads about fashion and love in a big city or like me the darker tales full of twists and turns. But in all genres there are flops and there are flyers so, just like beauty reviews this features post tackles the great books out there to read.

However, like I said I certainly have a type. So, my book shelf is more full of the thrillers and detective storylines than the lazy leisure reads. But, don't fear I do have a few of those too! So, I shall try to keep it balanced. But for the introductory post I thought what better way to introduce the topic than through my all time favourite author. I have unearthed some recent authors that come close to trumping this man but the nostalgia of falling so hard for his best-selling novel always seems to keep him on top. You see it was his book which got me so infatuated with dark tales. So, without further ado meet Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

The Spanish born Carlos Ruiz Zafon is most famous for his novel The Shadow of the Wind, which is probably my favourite novel of his and the first one I purchased. I have made several of my friends read this book and the majority really enjoyed it and are going to purchase the sequel, The Angel's Game, my second favourite book of his. The Shadow of the Wind is quite complicated to explain so I shall attempt to shorten the plot; The story is set in Barcelona post civil war and the main character Daniel Semphere is only a boy when he discovers the Cemetery of Forgotten Books - a place where, due to tradition, Daniel is allowed to take one book and protect it. Daniel takes The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. After reading the unusual story, he is drawn to find more books by the author but discovers that someone is also on his trail, burning every one of Julián Carax's books. A man who has taken the form of one of Carax's characters, Laín Coubert - also known as the Devil. And so Daniel spends his life trying to unravel the mystery behind Carax's past and the man trying to erase his literary existence. The story has everything you would want, sex, death, mystic and intrigue - everything to keep you turning until the very last page. 

The sequel, The Angel's Game is to me far more imaginative and fictitious. The narrative is sometimes hard to depict as reality or fixations of the narrator's imagination but that is what makes it so engrossing and enjoyable. There is far more twists and turns than the first and even though the book is a sequel it acts as a prequel to The Shadow of the Wind. It is this aspect which makes it a great read alone as it adds a back-story to the first novel. The ending too is strange and keeps you pondering for days considering numerous answers but I won't delve too deep into it in case you do actually read it. The author writes amazingly well, describing Barcelona as quite sinister, haunting and dark (the opposite to how it has been each time I visited it during the summer!) - all the novels are what I would describe as modern gothic thrillers with scary motifs and characters but they don't scare you just add to the intrigue. 

The third instalment, The Prisoner of Heaven is far less weird and wonderful - everything seems a lot more factual and real which is such a stark difference to the previous. However, there are still mysteries and calculating characters to keep readers entertained. It delves even deeper into some of the characters and how certain characters became connected. It is an essential book in the series but admittedly my least favourite. But the next and I think final book sounds like fiction comes back fighting in all its wondrous glory. 

There is actually a short story called The Rose of Fire which is meant to explain more about how the Cemetery of Forgotten Books came from. But I have yet to read this and heard mixed reviews. But it isn't classed as part of the series officially as it is just a short story. Similarly to the short stories surrounding the Twilight series. But I will try to hunt this down to read soon. 

I will just also quickly mention Ruiz's other books which have recently been published but were actually some of his first stories to write. They are 'young adult' books but I didn't feel too old when reading them. You can really get a feel for Ruiz finding his niche and discovering his talent for scary plots. The Prince of Mist - a story about a boy who moves house with his family only to discover it is haunted and The Midnight Palace - which is about two separated twins fated to meet under sinister conditions and together unravel their parents history and why they was parted - whilst being hunted down by a sadist shadowy figure. I much prefer the latter as it is a far better story I feel which has more depth and originality. You also get a taste of Ruiz's fascination with fire as a character trait for his villains and a symbolic motif. There are also moments where the description of the antagonist is the foundation to the antagonist in The Shadow of the Wind. Which by the way is one of the most frightening but interesting characters I have ever read about, sends me shivers just thinking about it. 

Genre: Mystery, Fiction

Why you would like this book and his sequels: The way Zafon describes things its totally unique to him. He draws you in to his writing so deep that you forget your reading at all, more like watching the series of events unfold around you. Although the rather political setting this isn't a book about war, it is about people and secrets. As you make your way through the trilogy (soon to be tetralogy) you'll understand just how intelligent this writer is with loose ends being elegantly tied.  

Price and places to buy: The books comes in at a range of prices as have been on the market for a while now. They are available for under ten pounds and in all major book stores but also online like Amazon. 

The stars of his book collection so far: The Shadow of the Wind, The Angle's Game, The Midnight Palace.

I received Marina for Christmas and have been saving it until a time I can binge read. But am thoroughly looking forward to reading it. I hope I have managed to persuade you to purchase and read these stories, they really are magical reads that keep you hooked and trust me they may sound complicated and a little too dark or even too scary but they are completely unique and enjoyable stories that will only keep you up at night to continue reading - and not because your too afraid to go to sleep! Apologise this post is so long in length. It is because I cover so many books by this author and in future it won't be like reading a short story in itself. Let me know your thoughts and if you have read any of these books before and enjoyed them (or not)?