[A novel] with the blissful narrative drive of a high-class mystery Ruiz Zafn is a splendidly solicitous craftsman, careful to give the reader at least as much pleasure as he is evidently having. (The Guardian)The story has heart, menace torture, kindness, cruelty, sacrifice, and a deep devotion to what makes humans tick. (New York Journal of Books)Perhaps his wittiest [novel] and the darkest to date, a stylistic feat that Ruiz Zafon handles deftlySavor this book. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)GrippingsuspensefulThe magic of the novel is in the wonderfully constructed creepy and otherworldly setting, the likable characters, and the near-perfect dialogue. (Booklist)Invoking the atmosphere of Dumas, Dickens, Poe and Garcia Marquez, Carlos Ruiz Zafon retains his originality and will hold his rightful place among the storytelling masters of literature. (Book Reporter)Zafons storytelling is deft and well-paced, and his vivid prose brings the cultural riches and political strife of Franco-era Spain to life. (Publishers Weekly)There is an air of magical realism to Zafns tales. The prose is robust and the dialogue rich with smart irony. But mostly, reading Zafn is great fun. (Miami Herald)A deep and mysterious novel full of people that feel realThis is an enthralling read and a must-have for your library. Zafn focusses on the emotion of the reader and doesnt let go. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)From the Back CoverBarcelona, 1957. It is Christmas, and Daniel Sempere and his wife, Bea, have much to celebrate. They have a beautiful new baby son named Julin, and their close friend Fermn Romero de Torres is about to be wed. But their joy is eclipsed when a mysterious stranger visits the Sempere bookshop and threatens to divulge a terrible secret that has been buried for two decades in the city's dark past.His appearance plunges Fermn and Daniel into a dangerous adventure that will take them back to the 1940s and the early days of Franco's dictatorship. The terrifying events of that time launch them on a search for the truth that will put into peril everything they love, and will ultimately transform their lives.About the AuthorCarlos Ruiz Zafon, author of two critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling novels, The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game, is one of the world's most-read and best-loved writers. His work, which also includes prizewinning young adult novels, has been translated into more than fifty languages and published around the world, garnering numerous international prizes and reaching millions of readers. He divides his time between Barcelona and Los Angeles. how long would it take to read all the books in the world The Prisoner of Heaven: A Novel
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Another top flight novel by Carlos Ruiz ZafonBy Jim LesterI can't say enough good things about Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books about Barcelona in the 1950s. The Cemetery of Forgotten Books is a delightful concept and the characters feel like real people. This installment reaches back into the days of the Spanish Civil War and World War II and sheds light on the mysterious history of Daniel Sempere, the son of a local bookstore owner and his friend and protector, Fermin.If you haven't read any of Zafon's books I would suggest starting with The Shadow of the Wind,which is one of my all time favorite novels. Each book is beautifully written, full of twists and turns and surprises, some humor as well is insights into the human condition. A highly recommended series.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A coda or a bridge, and a novella not a novelBy PBI"The Prisoner of Heaven" is the third book in Carlos Ruiz Zafn's loosely connected series about The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and takes place after the events of both "The Shadow of the Wind" and "The Angel's Game". In it, the author returns his focus to his original protagonists, Daniel Sempere and Fermn Romero de Torres ("Shadow..."), and away from the doomed writer David Martn ("Angel's..."). In length - and in comparison to the other books - it is more properly a novella than a novel, and it serves less as an equal partner in the series than as a lengthy epilogue to the first installments and/or a potential bridge to future and more fully-formed works."Prisoner..." provides additional backstory for Fermn and David Martn, gives us a glimpse into the married life of Daniel and Bea, and provides insight into the nagging question from "Angel's..." - is The Boss supernatural, or did Martn descend into madness? (Although there still appears to be some hedging on the subject.) It also introduces a new potential villain, the whiff of a plot centered on Daniel and his wife, and draws a connection between him and Martn.Given the open-endedness of "Angel's..." all of this is welcome, but it is also frustrating. There is little depth here - the book reads at a much quicker pace than the others - new plot elements are left unresolved, and the author's usually beautiful and deeply evocative prose is largely replaced by much more straightforward writing. On the whole, "Prisoner..." feels like the first half of a Zafn novel or as if he has perhaps grown tired of these characters and whipped off a not-quite-completed coda for "Shadow..." and "Angel's..."On the other hand, I'm glad I read it for the resolution it provided. The writing pales in comparison to the first two books, and the plot was far less compelling or involving, but interestingly, I found that it helped me appreciate "Angel's..." more, as it framed the role of that book in the arc of stories the author has built so far. Hopefully, the next book that orbits The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, if there is one, will be a more worthy successor to "Shadow of the Wind".(NOTE: If would allow half stars, I would give this three-and-a-half.)1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Compelling story of Fermin's imprisonment and connection to DanielBy mysunnyThis sequel to The Shadow of the Wind has the same intrigue and mystery. It's the compelling story of Furmin's years of imprisonment and his remarkable escape told to Daniel after a mysterious man's visit to the bookstore. The author leaves the ending with so many questions about Daniel's mother and other characters. I've just started reading The Angel's Game, so I hope it will resolve some questions.