This 2001 Spanish book is one of the biggest selling novels of all time.

Stephen King wrote, “If you thought the true gothic novel died with the 19th century, this will change your mind. Shadow is the real deal.”

I did get through it — but overall found it too long. A great premise that — ultimately — is not a story well told.

I won’t read either of the other 2 books in the series.

The novel opens in the 1940’s with the protagonist, Daniel, a boy whose father owns a bookshop in Barcelona.

One day, his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten books – a secret labyrinthine library that houses rare and banned books.

Daniel is drawn to one called “The Shadow of the Wind” by Julian Carax and takes it home with him.

Daniel quickly reads and falls in love with the story. He soon discovers that the book’s mysterious author, Carax, has gone missing along with every other copy of “The Shadow of the Wind” and most of his other works.

Daniel then sets out to find out what happened to the author and his books. …

Wikipedia