The Shadow of the Wind

A book-lover's book:
This was a beautifully written and very fun book. It is a winding and twisting story filled with Gothic themes and a dozen smaller stories entwined within it. What makes it a book for book-lovers is that it is about a boy whose life is turned upside down after reading a darkly beautiful book that seems eerily similar to the one you are reading. This book is essentially a statement on itself and to a greater extent, a statement on the power a book can have on those who read them.
Metaphor aside, the plot is great, the characters are great and the writing is superb. There are mysteries and surprises throughout and just as you feel you have a grip on what's going on, the story takes a mad and unexpected twist. The characters are flawed but lovable - even the enemies. The whole world has the feel of being a slightly fantastic version of real life; Devils and curses are everywhere, but in post-war Spain, it is still very real and gritty. Finally, the quotes and notable phrases are non-stop! This book did not change my world the way the main character's book did, but I had a lot of fun reading it.