The Shadow of the Wind- write up

The Shadow of the Wind, as is becoming a pattern in Book Club, received a slightly mixed response. We all generally agreed that, whilst it was a good book, it didn’t quite achieve the level of the epic Victorian literatire which it apes. That said, a lot of the group found it quite a compelling read, particularly for the last 200 pages. Some parts of the story were fairly predictable, but other revellations were quite shocking for us all. Even where we could see what was coming, we were still keen find out exactly how it all came together at the end.

We talked about the female characters, most of whom were quite superficial- angels or fallen angels, and quite often objectified by their male counterparts. However, unlike Casino Royale, where this bordered on the misogynistic, the female majority of Book Club were happy to let it go, and still quite liked even the sleaziest of male characters.

There was slight disappointment that the Cemetery of Forgotten Books didn’t feature more strongly (although the good news is, it does feature in other novels by the artist) and we couldn’t help but wonder whether the fictional novel, from which the book gets its title, might not be a little more exciting than the book were reading.

All that said, we thought there was some great chracters, the suspense built well and the end, whilst perhaps overly explained, was satisfying.

Overall the book scored a very respectable 7.4, which puts it in 4th place in the Book Club hall of fame (full tabel below). Scores again varied between 5 and 9…and I can’t help wondering whether my write up might reflect more of the comments made by the people who scored at the bottom end. I wasn’t one of them…so it’s not personal bias, I promise.

We’ll be meeting again on April 25th at 12:30. I think we’re going to mix things up and try the canteen next time, but I’ll confirm closer to the day. We’ll be reading Right-ho Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse for “the funniest novel ever written” month.

Just to remind you, May’s book is The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell and in June we’ll be reading Life by Keith Richards. 

We also agreed our themes for July, August and September- a tad anal perhaps?! In July it’ll be something girls/education/equality related (I’m still working on that) to mark the first Malala Day (the girl who was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls edication). In August we’re going to do the best beach reads. This may be an excuse to read some pure trash, and then feel very smug as we tear it apart. It’s like watching one of those “documentaries” and feeling very pleased with your own life at the end of it! In September we’re going to have Barbara Pym month to celibrate what would have been her 100th birthday. Barbara has been called the 20th Century Austen. Praise indeed. In the unlikely event that the weather is nice, we my hold this Book Club debate(!) on the park, with pimms. It seems fitting. Short lists for each theme will follow in May.

Keeeeep Reading!!