The Shadow of the Wind was written in a nineteenth century story to tell the story of a young man (Daniel Sempere) who is introduced to rare and obscure books by his father, an owner of a bookshop.   When reaches a certain age, he is taken to the secret, hidden, and labyrinth Cemetery of Forgotten Books where he picks one (The Shadow of the Wind).   He becomes obsessed with the book and its author and spends the next decade trying to find out more about its background and the author, Julian Carax.

Set in Spain in 1945, the author introduces many characters into the mystery/quest and we find out that someone has been systematically destroying the books and is in pursuit of the author (who has fled to Paris).    The historical novel is full of intrigue, quirky characters,  and works to an exciting end, all cloaked in a moody tone.    As Daniel reaches manhood the stages of quest are resolved in a surprising climax and resolution.   It is a story about obsession of literature and of love, told in a gothic voice.

A full circle is completed as Daniel takes over his father’s bookshop and takes his ten year old son (Julian) to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

Somehow, probably because it is so unlike most modern novels, the story works very well.

Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.

An Excerpt: