The Shadow of the Wind :: June Book Club {Week One}

 

 

{Pages 1-122}:

We meet the main characters -- 

Daniel Sempere and his father Senor Sempere :: Daniel is the protagonist, who starts as a ten year-old boy and by page 122 is 16 years-old. His father is a bookseller who owns a bookshop and has raised Daniel by himself after his wife died when Daniel was six years-old.
Julian Carax :: The mysterious author of The Shadow of the Wind (the book within this book)
Fermin Romero de Torres :: A beggar who was hired to work in the Semperes' bookshop and has become a close friend. 
The Burned Stranger :: A mysterious stranger whose face has been burned off, and who smells of smoke. (Possibly the devil.)

The Plot -- 

At ten years of age, Daniel's father takes him to the Cemetry of Forgotten Books; a very secret place where books have gone to wait for owners to keep them alive. Daniel is allowed to chose one book and must promise that he will always keep it and watch out for it. He choses The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax, which turns out to be the only copy of the book left in existence (for all the others were burned by a man who has been hunting all of Carax's works). Daniel is approached by The Burned Stranger who threatens him and demands the copy of The Shadow of the Wind. Daniel returns to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books to hide the book for safe keeping, and begins his search for Carax (who we don't know whether is alive or dead).

My Thoughts --

This book is beautifully written. Even before I had reached the point where the plot thickens, I was pulled into the book by the beautiful writing. Now I have become intrigued to find out 1.) Does Carax live? 2.) Who is the Burned Stranger? 3.) Why has someone burned all of Carax's books?, and 4.) What will happen to Daniel if he continues his search? 

It's a bit scary and I have been careful about reading it at night. 

Your Turn -- 

What are your thoughts so far? (please make sure you don't say anything past page 122 as to not give away any important plot points).

See you next week for more on The Shadow of the Wind!

Comments

[Megan]

I have already read this book and I really, really enjoyed it!! I thought it was hard to get into, but once you start reading it, you can't put it down! So if you are reading along with coconut library, don't be discouraged, keep it up! Great choice for the book club. I can't wait to hear what other people think about it!

[Mallory]

Yay!! I told you it was good!! Enjoy this amazing book it only gets better.

[Coconut Library]

Yes! You two were the first to recommend it to me! Since then I have been told by several people what an amazing book it is -- you two were on to something. I'm excited to finally be reading it!

[Zoe]

I don't know why, but I found this book so hard to get into. I thought the plot was interesting, as were the characters, but the whole time I was reading I was very aware that I was READING. Does that make sense??? Although I must say that it got better and better the further I read.