The angel's game : the cemetery of forgotten books series, book 2

Amazon.com Review Book Description From master storyteller Carlos Ruiz Zaf?n, author of the international phenomenon The Shadow of the Wind , comes The Angel’s Game --a dazzling new page-turner about the perilous nature of obsession, in literature and in love. “The whole of Barcelona stretched out at my feet and I wanted to believe that, when I opened those windows, its streets would whisper stories to me, secrets I could capture on paper and narrate to whomever cared to listen...” In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David Mart?n, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym. The survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city’s underworld. But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner. Like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones as he struggles with an impossible love. Close to despair, David receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime. He is to write a book unlike anything that has ever existed--a book with the power to change hearts and minds. In return, he will receive a fortune, and perhaps more. But as David begins the work, he realizes that there is a connection between his haunting book and the shadows that surround his home. Once again, Zaf?n takes us into a dark, gothic universe first seen in The Shadow of the Wind and creates a breathtaking adventure of intrigue, romance, and tragedy. Through a dizzingly constructed labyrinth of secrets, the magic of books, passion, and friendship blend into a masterful story. Carlos Ruiz Zaf?n on The Angel's Game Years ago, when I began working on my fifth novel, At first I thought this could be done in one book, but soon I realized it would make Shadow of the Wind a monster novel, and in many ways, destroy the structure I was trying to design for it. I realized I would have to write four different novels. They would be stand-alone stories that could be read in any order. I saw them as a Chinese box of stories with four doors of entry, a labyrinth of fictions that could be explored in many directions, entirely or in parts, and that could provide the reader with an additional layer of enjoyment and play. These novels would have a central axis, the idea of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, set against the backdrop of a highly stylized, gothic and mysterious Barcelona. Since each novel was going to be complex and difficult to write, I decided to take one at a time and see how the experiment evolved on its own in an organic way. It all sounds very complicated, but it is not. At the end of the day, these are just stories that share a universe, a tone and some central themes and characters. You don’t need to care or know about any of this stuff to enjoy them. One of the fun things about this process was it allowed me to give each book a different personality. Thus, if Shadow of the Wind is the nice, good girl in the family, The Angel’s Game would be the wicked gothic stepsister. Some readers often ask me if The Angel’s Game is a prequel or a sequel. The answer is: none of these things, and all of the above. Essentially The Angel’s Game is a new book, a stand-alone story that you can fully enjoy and understand on its own. But if you have already read The Shadow of the Wind , or you decide to read it afterwards, you’ll find new meanings and connections that I hope will enhance your experience with these characters and their adventures. The Angel’s Game has many games inside, one of them with the reader. It is a book designed to make you step into the storytelling process and become a part of it. In other words, the wicked, gothic chick wants your blood. Beware. Maybe, without realizing, I ended up writing a monster book after all... Don’t say I didn’t warn you, courageous reader. I’ll see you on the other side. --Carlos Ruiz Zaf?n (Photo © Isolde Ohlbaum) From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Fans of Zaf?n's The Shadow of the Wind and new readers alike will be delighted with this gothic semiprequel. In 1920s Barcelona, David Martin is born into poverty, but, aided by patron and friend Pedro Vidal, he rises to become a crime reporter and then a beloved pulp novelist. David's creative pace is frenetic; holed up in his dream house—a decrepit mansion with a sinister history—he produces two great novels, one for Vidal to claim as his own, and one for himself. But Vidal's book is celebrated while David's is buried, and when Vidal marries David's great love, David accepts a commission to write a story that leads him into danger. As he explores the past and his mysterious publisher, David becomes a suspect in a string of murders, and his race to uncover the truth is a delicious puzzle: is he beset by demons or a demon himself? Zaf?n's novel is detailed and vivid, and David's narration is charming and funny, but suspect. Villain or victim, he is the hero of and the guide to this dark labyrinth that, by masterful design, remains thrilling and bewildering. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

from Master Storyteller Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Author Of The International Phenomenon the Shadow Of The Wind, Comes the Angel’s Game—a dazzling New Page-turner About The Perilous Nature Of Obsession, In Literature And In Love.

“the Whole Of Barcelona Stretched Out At My Feet And I Wanted To Believe That, When I Opened Those Windows, Its Streets Would Whisper Stories To Me, Secrets I Could Capture On Paper And Narrate To Whomever Cared To Listen . . .”

in An Abandoned Mansion At The Heart Of Barcelona, A Young Man, David Martín, Makes His Living By Writing Sensationalist Novels Under A Pseudonym. The Survivor Of A Troubled Childhood, He Has Taken Refuge In The World Of Books And Spends His Nights Spinning Baroque Tales About The City’s Underworld. But Perhaps His Dark Imaginings Are Not As Strange As They Seem, For In A Locked Room Deep Within The House Lie Photographs And Letters Hinting At The...

the Barnes & Noble Review

in Carlos Ruiz Zafón's Breathtaking Novel the Angel's Game, The Author Demonstrates A Much Wider Range And Self-assurance Than In His International Bestseller The Shadow Of The Wind. when Struggling Writer David Martin Visits The Cemetery Of Forgotten Books, A Magical Place First Introduced To Readers In Zafón's Earlier Novel, He Leaves A Book He Wishes To Save And Chooses A Book He Promises To Protect. After He Loses The Love Of His Life To Another Man, A Despondent Martin Accepts An Offer From An Unusual Publisher To Write A Book That He Promises Will Make Martin Immortal. The Task Thrusts Him Into A Strange Web Of Long-buried Secrets, Double-crosses, And Madness. Zafón's Use Of Language Is Often Playful In A Borgesian Way: [the Book Cemetery] Is A Mystery. A Sanctuary. Every Book, Every Volume You See, Has A Soul. The Soul Of The Person Who Wrote It And The Soul Of Those Who Read It And Lived And Dreamed With It. Every Time A Book Changes Hands, Every Time Someone Runs His Eyes Down Its Pages, Its Spirit Grows And Strengthens. Much Of The Novel's Energy Also Derives From Martin's Sarcastic Sense Of Humor, Especially In Conversations With A Young Assistant. Ultimately, Though, The Appeal Of the Angel's Game Lies In Its Careful Portrait Of Martin And Its Exploration Of What It Really Means To Love Someone. Readers Who Appreciate Books, Romance, And Intrigue Will Find This Novel A Subtle, Unforgettable, And Satisfying Page-turner. --jeff Vandermeer

From master storyteller Carlos Ruiz Zafon, author of the international phenomenon The Shadow of the Wind, comes The Angel’s Game — a dazzling new page-turner about the perilous nature of obsession, in literature and in love.The whole of Barcelona stretched out at my feet and I wanted to believe that when I opened those windows — my new windows — each evening its streets would whisper stories to me, secrets in my ear, that I could catch on paper and narrate to whomever cared to listen...In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David Martin, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym. The survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city’s underworld. But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner. Like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones as he struggles with an impossible love. Close to despair, David receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime. He is to write a book unlike anything that has ever existed — a book with the power to change hearts and minds. In return, he will receive a fortune, and perhaps more. But as David begins the work, he realizes that there is a connection between his haunting book and the shadows that surround his home.Once again, Zafon takes us into a dark, gothic universe first seen in The Shadow of the Wind and creates a breathtaking adventure of intrigue, romance, and tragedy. Through a dizzyingly constructed labyrinth of secrets, the magic of books, passion, and friendship blend into a masterful story.From the Hardcover edition. From master storyteller Carlos Ruiz Zafon, author of the international phenomenon The Shadow of the Wind, comes The Angel’s Game — a dazzling new page-turner about the perilous nature of obsession, in literature and in love. The whole of Barcelona stretched out at my feet and I wanted to believe that when I opened those windows — my new windows — each evening its streets would whisper stories to me, secrets in my ear, that I could catch on paper and narrate to whomever cared to listen... In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David Martin, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym. The survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city’s underworld. But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner. Like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones as he struggles with an impossible love. Close to despair, David receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime. He is to write a book unlike anything that has ever existed — a book with the power to change hearts and minds. In return, he will receive a fortune, and perhaps more. But as David begins the work, he realizes that there is a connection between his haunting book and the shadows that surround his home. Once again, Zafon takes us into a dark, gothic universe first seen in The Shadow of the Wind and creates a breathtaking adventure of intrigue, romance, and tragedy. Through a dizzyingly constructed labyrinth of secrets, the magic of books, passion, and friendship blend into a masterful story. (jacket) En la turbulenta Barcelona de los años 20 un joven escritor obsesionado con un amor imposible recibe la oferta de un misterioso editor para escribir un libro como no ha existido nunca, a cambio de una fortuna y, tal vez, mucho más. Con estilo deslumbrante e impecable precisión narrativa, el autor de La Sombra del Viento nos transporta de nuevo a la Barcelona de El Cementerio de los Libros Olvidados para ofrecernos una gran aventura de intriga, romance y tragedia, a través de un laberinto de secretos donde el embrujo de los libros, la pasión y la amistad se conjugan en un relato magistral. ([source][1]) [1]: http://www.carlosruizzafon.com/es/el-juego-del-angel/index.php Offered a career-making writing deal from an enigmatic publisher in turbulent 1960s Barcelona, David Martín wonders about his capacity for writing a book for which the publisher claims others will live and die