The Shadow of the Wind

By Carlos Ruiz Zafon

When Daniel was a boy verging on manhood, he encountered a book that captured his imagination. Wanting to know more about the author, Julian Carax, he began an investigation that lasted almost ten years.
In due time and with the help of his friends, Daniel finds that Carax's life is a mystery: what happened to him, why did he disappear. It is a story of blighted hopes, blighted love and blighted lives. And if Daniel is not careful, his name will be added to that sad list.

I started reading this book months ago but put it aside as I found it rather boring. But I kept hearing what a great read it was and how much people were looking forward to reading it so I gave it another go.
Just like the first time, I found it kind of boring. It just seemed to go round and round without really getting anywhere. But I stuck with it and finally finished it.
It is a kind of murder mystery, set in the mid 1940s to mid 1950s, in Barcelona, Spain. It has lots of mysterious characters (maybe too many mysterious characters); dark, rainy nights; creepy, deserted buildings; a real Gothic atmosphere. I can't say I disliked the book but it was just too long. I did like the ending, which is not as grim and dire as the rest of the book.