The Shadow of the Wind

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Read Dates: 9/1/24 to 9/13/24

Review

This book is the perfect example of why I try to avoid DNFing a book. I was so close to giving up—feeling like I was trudging through mud with no clear direction. The pacing at the start had me frustrated, and I wondered if it was worth continuing. But my fear of missing out, especially with upcoming book club discussions, kept me pushing forward. I'm really glad I did because, in the end, the payoff was completely worth it.

The story is intricately woven, with so much going on beneath the surface. There are layers upon layers to unravel, and the pieces of the puzzle don’t fully come together until the author is ready to pull back the curtain. At first, it felt overwhelming, but that gradual buildup of tension and mystery kept me hooked once I got past the initial slow start. I laughed at parts, felt utterly confused at times, screamed in frustration or excitement, and even found myself emotionally invested in the characters—so much so that I cheered when some met their deserved ends.

What really made the experience stand out, though, was the audiobook. The narration brought an entirely new dimension to the story, one that my internal reading voice just couldn’t match. The added depth and nuance in the voice acting made the emotional highs and lows feel even more powerful. For anyone considering picking this up, I highly recommend the audiobook version—it transforms the entire experience and makes the complexity of the plot easier to follow.

In the end, I’d say this book is worth the effort, especially if you enjoy multi-layered plots that make you think. Stick with it—it may start slow, but the journey is well worth it in the end.