Shadow of the wind is a book that is bound to make an impact. It is packed so much with humanness and hope amid darkness that it connects with the reader and re-emphasizes the circle of life.
A book is an empty vessel into which the reader can pour himself and derive meanings he wants to find. A book chooses you - so claims the author who weaves many lives around a book from the cemetery of lost books in the town of Barcelona torn by the civil war.
Daniel the young protagonist leads a blessed life. He is instantly lovable for his innocence, compassion and spirit. Curious about the rare books author, Julian Carax, he sets on a journey to find the truth. Little does he know what he unravels has many parallels to his life and will change his life forever.
The 2 lives along with the ensemble of likable (and despicable) characters are, for the lack of words, hope inducing! Every sacrifice, every friendship, every love story makes an impression on the reader. And the end is satisfying.
The book works as a mystery with the many twists, most of them unpredictable. To me, it was the prose that won me over. So much so that it can be book of quotes! If I were to make one complaint it would be too much revelations made in one go in 3rd part of the book. Maybe, they could have been spaced better for each to sink in.