The Prisoner of Heaven

Another winner. Read the books in order. This book (book 3) continues sharing the in-depth story of the character's lives. Carlos' beautiful writing elicits emotions and allows the writer to visualize the various situations and events. There are points in the book that I cringed, laughed, felt anger and sorrow for the various characters and their situations, fortunes, and misfortunes. It clearly shows how position and power can corrupt. It also makes me want to research how brutal the punishment was for prisoners in Barcelona during the time the story was staged. I enjoy these books for the following reasons. 1. They present great mysteries that keep you mind engaged. 2. The writing is easy and enjoyable to ready. 3. You get to know the various characters and start to form "attachments." 4. The books and their stories are intertwined. 5. After reading 3 books, I have a strong desire to research Barcelona. It must be a fascinating place. Hope this helps. RW

THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN by Carlos Ruiz Zafon: While the note from Julian Carax suggests that the three books in the series (THE SHADOW OF THE WIND and THE ANGEL'S GAME having preceded THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN), I have no idea what a newcomer to the series would make of THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN as a standalone novel. My recommendation is to read the first two novels first, as THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN refers back to the events portrayed therein. If you've read the first two books about the Cemetary of Forgotten Books, I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy the third (and the fourth, which I can barely wait for). When I say that THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN is more of the same, I mean it in a positive way: THE SHADOW OF THE WIND and THE ANGEL'S GAME were sensuous feasts of words and atmosphere that I found immensely enjoyable, and THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN was equally diverting. In this installment, Ruiz Zafon explores the history of Fermin, with Carax telling us in the prologue: "I have always known that one day I would return to these streets to tell the story of the man who lost his soul and his names among the shadows of a Barcelona trapped in a time of ashes and silence." If you find that sentence seductive, the novels of Ruiz Zafon will appeal to you; if you find it overwritten and melodramatic, you probably ought to skip this series entirely. I was immediately drawn back into post-WWII Barcelona, which Ruiz Zafon evokes so beautifully. The story begins in 1957, just before Christmas, with Sempere & Sons bookshop financially strapped. Fermin has an idea for drumming up business: "Perhaps if by chance I was seen arranging the shop window in my underpants, some lady in need of strong literary emotions would be drawn in and inspired to party with a bit of hard cash. According to expert opinion, the future of literature depends on women and as God is my witness the female is yet to be born who can resist the primal allure of this stupendous physique." Sempere decides to go the more traditional route of a nativity scene, and customers begin to trickle in. Among them is a mysterious stranger who buys the most expensive book in the store and leaves it as a gift for Fermin. This is the trigger for Fermin to tell Daniel Sempere his own story: beginning with his time in prison during WWII and revealing connections between Fermin and Daniel. My only complaint about this novel is that it was too short. Having read it on the Kindle, I had to look it up to find out that it is apparently 416 pages long, but it breezed by in little more than a night of reading. Fermin's story is gripping and the dribbles of information relating to Daniel's mother, David Martin, and the mysterious stranger are well-paced. Fermin's usual cynicism and humor lighten up the narrative, and the ending is satisfying, although clearly setting the reader up for the fourth book. I found THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN engrossing and delightful, and I recommend this book to fans of THE SHADOW OF THE WIND and THE ANGEL'S GAME. Source disclosure: I received an e-galley of this book courtesy of the publisher. [...]Posted at On My Bookshelf.</a>

Zafon is so good that I not only completely enjoyed The Prisoner of Heaven, but I also remembered why I loved Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game so much. I wanted to read them again and I will. And I will enjoy them even more for having read The Prisoner of Heaven. Where to start? The writing: lyrical and vivid don't do Zafon's skill justice. They are just words. My words. Sort of like someone giving you a brush and the exact colors that Degas used to paint a masterpiece. A nice start, but you won't get there. I will just say that very, very few writers have ever painted a picture like Zafon does. Old school, classical, timeless, beautiful. I feel lucky to have his books to read. The characters: Dickens and Dumas would love these characters. They are complex, endearing, vivid...alive. Brimming with humor and menace, they leap off the page. It just doesn't get any better. World building: you and feel the damp and smell the aroma of Barcelona. You can't get closer without a time machine. Tone and style: Gothic with a sense of humor and rapier wit. You will run out of note cards on which to copy quotes. I really feel that Mr. Zafon is a modern Dumas. What is it about these Spanish writers (also thinking of Arturo Perez Reverte) that makes them so good? They are throw-backs in such a good way. Every time I read them I feel that someone discovered a great lost Dumas novel in their attic. Story: seamlessly weaving into the prior books, it made me want to re-read them just to experience them again in light of this wonderful new story that provides both a present story and a back story to a central character---so the action both follows AND predates the other books. Don't be afraid to read them out of order, but you really should start with Shadow of the Wind as it really sets the whole Zafon world in motion. My only gripe? I was done too fast. You fly through Zafon's books and while it was a satisfying story, I wanted more. He is the only writer that I can think of that I wish every book that he wrote was 1,000 pages long. He may not be to everyone's taste, but if you like gothic, atmospheric, old style dark adventures; if you really love Dumas; if you love to visit vast, ancient cities and meet characters both sinister and angelic, then you will love Zafon's books.

Another great read with unforgettable characters and a story line that continues from Zafon’s 1940-50’s Barcelona and The Cemetary of Forgotten Books!

Utmärkt, precis som utlovat!!!!!

I found this third opus to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series particularly pleasant to read. Taking up the narrative right after The Shadow of the Wind (end of 1957), it tells the story of Fermin, while Daniel was growing up, in the 1939-1941 period, through a long flashback told by Fermin. In so doing, it takes up the story of David Martin right at the end of The Angel's Game, as Fermin and Martin are brought into contact. My only regret is that I will still have to wait for the fourth and last opus in the series, The Labyrinth of Spirits, to understand what really happened to Martin in The Angel's Game, and I'm in for a pretty long wait as I understand the English translation will not be available until 2018...

Enjoyed the development of insanity love life books writting ego I love Zafron’s work this did not disappoint Thé passion and magic is always there

Ich liebe Carlos Ruíz Zafóns Reihe zum Friedhof der vergessenen Bücher. Zwei der wichtigsten Gründe dafür sind, dass er Barcelona so atmosphärisch darstellen kann wie kein anderer, dass es eher wie eine gothisch-mystische Stadt wirkt und nicht wie eine multinationale Touristenmetropole. Dazu (Grund zwei) taucht er immer wieder in die Schrecken der Franco-Diktatur ein, von der man in Deutschland nicht allzu viel weiß. Natürlich sind die Bücher der Reihe fiktiv, aber Ruíz Zafón vermittelt eine Atmosphäre der Angst und des Schreckens, der Willkür und Unterdrückung. In diesem Buch steht Fermin, Daniels Kompagnon und älterer Freund, im Fokus und wir lernen seine Geschichte als Verfolgter kennen. Ich mag diese Figur sehr und habe mich daher gefreut, mehr über seinen Hintergrund zu erfahren, auch wenn der ein sehr düsterer ist.

Maybe because it was the first I read of the four, but for me it is the best of them. I just loved it.