Review: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Set in post-war Barcelona in 1945, "The Shadow of the Wind" follows the story of Daniel, the son of an antiquarian book dealer, who is grieving the loss of his mother. Seeking solace, he stumbles upon a mysterious book titled "The Shadow of the Wind" by Julian Carax. Intrigued, Daniel embarks on a quest to uncover more works by the enigmatic author.

To his shock, Daniel discovers that someone has been systematically destroying all copies of Carax's books. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Daniel realizes that he may possess the last remaining copy of Carax's work. In his pursuit of the truth, Daniel uncovers a dark secret hidden within the streets of Barcelona, involving murder, madness, and ill-fated love.

Firstly, the writing style employed by Zafón is characterized by an excessive verbosity that becomes wearisome. It appears as though the author has made a deliberate effort to showcase an extensive vocabulary, often opting for obscure or convoluted words. This relentless display of synonyms becomes distracting and gives the impression of an author who is trying too hard to impress. Even when describing the perspectives and dialogues of a ten-year-old character, this style persists, further diminishing the reading experience.

Additionally, the portrayal of female characters is disappointingly shallow. They are divided into two clichéd categories: either depicted as excessively attractive individuals, with a focus on their physical attributes and sexual appeal, or as unattractive older women who are deemed undesirable for intimate encounters. This oversimplified and objectifying portrayal of female characters feels outdated and lacks depth. Furthermore, the depiction of sex scenes within the narrative is described as awkward and lacking authenticity, leading one to question the author's understanding or experience in this regard.

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