Sat, 21 November 2009
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Carlos Ruiz Zafon's complex thriller 'The Shadow of the Wind' has proved a runaway, word-of-mouth success across Europe in the same way as 'The Da Vinci Code'. On the eve of World Books Day, April 23, we followed the route of this complex thriller through the streets of Barcelona where it is based.The Shadow of The Wind
In Zafon's native Barcelona, you are the odd-one-out if you haven't read it. The story is about a boy who sets out to discover the truth behind the strange past of an obscure writer.
However, its success is due partly because of the way it evokes the gothic gloom of post–Civil War Barcelona.
Set in Barcelona's Gothic quarter, the story weaves like the tiny, poorly-lit passageways in this part of the city; round every corner there is a surprise, on almost every page, something new.
I followed the labyrinthine journey of the hero, Daniel Sempere, to parts of the city which were a revelation.
As yet there are no Shadow of the Wind guided tours, but Maria Luisa Albacar, of the Barcelona Tourist Office, believes in six months' time tourists will want to discover the city afresh through the pages of this remarkable book.
Kirsty Dunseath, of Orion Books, who took a group of British publishers round Barcelona to get a feel for the novel, said: "The protagonist of the book is not Daniel, but Barcelona itself."
The story begins on La Rambla, Barcelona's principal thoroughfare, as Daniel heads to the mysterious Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where those who love reading keep their favourite books.
Zafon describes La Rambla as "like a watercolour slowly coming to life".
Today, bird-sellers compete with wacky mime artists for the tourist euro and it is hard not to be beguiled by the sheer colour.
Mime artist on La Rambla
Off La Rambla is Placa Reial, where Daniel meets his first love, Clara Barcelo. Zafon picked this charming, if touristy, square because he likes the two surrealist lamp posts by Antonio Gaudi.
Before you head out to explore the new city, make sure your paperwork's all done by referring to our guide.
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