Shadow of the Wind...have you all read it?

[Clary]

I ask because my RL book club starts tonight (woooow!) and that's the book.
I have really struggled with it in fact I still have 50 pages to go (but meeting not till 8.30pm so that's ok lol)
What did everyone else think? (so I can canvass MN opinions in advance, so to speak...)

I liked it but it was way too long and it could have been edited better. Totally sympathise with not being able to get through last few chapters

I quite enjoyed it at the beginning but agree it was too long. Couldn't have cared less by the time I finshed it.

i gave up

what a crap transaltion

Well, I absolutely loved it, couldn't put it down!

Thought it was absolutely fantastic. Absolutely gripped, thought the character development was very good, the scene setting was superb - so evocative. Really, really enjoyed it.

That's really interesting, the differing views.
Have to say I don't like reading books in translation, after all, this is not what the original author wrote....
Gem13, (plot spoiler!!) when I found out who Julian's father realy was I was a bit "oh really?" just not that bothered in fact, tho a pal told me I would gasp!
I am enjoying the style of it but the plot is a bit ridiculous isn't it? And I juist find I don't care about any of the characters and their nasty deaths, except perhaps Daniel's father who I feel a bit sorry for.
No nice women either. See, I prefer books by women and this is why!

I couldn't finish this book - overblown, overwritten rubbish I thought. Bought it to read on holiday and left it there!

I've just finished this and loved it. Kept thinking I knew what would happen next and then it would turn out I was wrong. I loved the dialogue, thought it was really funny and not what I expected at all (think I expected something like Gabriel Garcia Marquez who bored me to tears). For me being a sucker for a doomed romance it was nice to have a happy ending as well thanks to the spiral-like story.
Agree it was overlong but not that much, it could have had 10% cut I thought.

I enjoyed it, would read others by same author (but i don't think there are any more are there?)

I hated this but most of my book group loved it...

I loved it. One of my all time fave books.

Couldn't predict the twists either.

yes. really enjoyed it

I couldn't get past the first few chapters too. But once you get into it, it becomes more interesting. But I can't help but wonder if I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read it in its original language. The potential was definitely more than its delivery.

it was so atmospheric, made me want to go to barcelona. I thought it was fab, one twist after another

just finished it, it was a real chore at times, it got on my tits a bit, too much overblown gothicness about it.

I just didnt get it at all, I found the characters dull and their responses to situations was totally unrealisitc, subdued and flat, not my cup of tea at all.

No depth and no real drama.

Find the contrasting views on here more interesting thank the book actually

i reall yenjoyed this ..felt it was quite gripping and really good descriptive writing

It was ok. It held my interest but that was about it.

Loved it - I couldn't put it down. Vivid descriptions of Barcelona and having been there several times I really got into it.

totally guessed the end about 1/2 way through (& I NEVER do that) ... went on, & on, & on, & on....