About three or four years ago I read The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The book had a very inviting cover and I remember the sensation of losing myself in Barcelona while sitting on my front porch in early summer. I read it for three days practically non-stop. It had all the qualities of a great story: mystery, old secrets, lost love. I sighed heavily as I closed the book and was filled with regret I had read it so voraciously. On the other hand, it was unavoidable. Since finishing the book all those summers ago, I have been religiously checking Amazon to see if Mr. Zafon (who has the BEST name) has written another book.
Today, I was taking a brief break from whatever I was doing and I aimlessly brought up Amazon and typed Mr. Zafon’s name in the search box and wonder of wonders – he has written another book! I can hardly wait for June to get here, because that is when the book will be released.
Later, I found Mr. Zafon’s website and clicked around until I found the page where he lists his favorite things. I loved this list in particular:
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte
THE FALLS by Joyce Carol Oates
THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE by Shirley Jackson
THE WOMAN IN BLACK by Susan Hill
WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte
BURNING YOUR BOATS, complete short fiction of Angela Carter
I have read every book on this list except The Falls – I will probably rush out with my very special, humungous Christmas Barnes and Noble gift certificate and purchase The Falls this weekend…
The Shadow of the Wind does have a very Bronte feel to it. All Bronte lovers should read it.
Be sure to watch his atmospheric video about his new book The Angels Game. OH! I love waiting on pins and needles for a good book!
Paraphernalia 