Author Archives: susan

LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – Telling

Just as I noticed in Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore, Zafon seems to give in to that writer’s devil that tempts him to explain: I began my story with that distant dawn when I awoke and could not remember my … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – Philosophy

The teacher was mumbling under his breath.  "It’s like the tide, you see? He said, beside himself.  "The savagery, I mean.  It goes away, and you feel safe, but it allways returns, it always returns…and it chokes us.  I see … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – Genre

In approaching this novel I was only aware that it came recommended as a terrific read.  In getting into it, I’m finding that it likely would be considered a mystery, as the narrator is on a mission to both protect … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – Plot

I am indeed impressed by the plot structure in this novel; every character introduced comes with a mystery tag.  Each "tag" presents questions that have be mentally filing clues away as I read; have me reading more carefully, alert for … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – Language

In reading novels from a variety of decades past, I find it strange–such as with At Swim-Two-Birds–that the language seems to come from a bygone era: My only response was to slam the front door as I left the apartment.  … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – Plot

Interesting base for the storyline: A young boy selects a special book from his father’s cache by a little known author and it turns out to be also a favorite author of a beautiful young blind woman with whom the … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: The Shadow of the Wind – A nice beginning

Nice writing style.  Zafon brings us a lot of information while intriguing the reader with his opening of a (first person narrator) young boy whose mother has died and whose father owns a used bookstore and offers the boy consolation … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Next up- The Shadow of the Wind

This novel by Carlos Ruiz Zafon has been highly recommended by a friend of mine who declared it one of her favorites. Oddly enough, the back cover includes this:  “Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is … Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Finale

My general gut feeling remains the same on this.  I feel that the story is wonderful, but would have liked to see better handling of that story.  Now I’m sure that Murakami fans think I’m off the wall on this, … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Pre-Finale

Just finished this and my first comment would be that I’m surprised it didn’t take me long to read through 465 pages. My second comment might be that my immediate response is a bit of a letdown.  It seems that … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Plot

As I’m coming towards the end of this story (should be finished tomorrow) little things are starting to bother me.  What’s the good of surrealism if it seems contrived? As the characters progress on their journeys–which by the way, they … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Detail

Nor do we need to know every meal the characters eat. Back in the apartment, a soothing fragance filled the place.  Nakata was bustling around the kitchen preparing some steamed daikon and deep-fried flat tofu. (p. 356) At six Nakata … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Style

I’m a firm believer in knowing the rules inside-out before you attempt to break them.  I’m also a believer that most of the best literary classics are based on broken rules. But I’m having a bit of a hard time … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Duality

Maybe I’m just slow at catching drifts, or maybe I’m just the caboose on a train going on the wrong track, but I’m being pounded with a sense of duality in this novel. Obviously, the two stories, the two characters, … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Philosophy

All right, so everything’s not as it appears to be, or maybe it is and suspension of disbelief is all it takes to appreciate this novel.  But Kentucky Fried Pimp? Now I’ve never had a problem with believing what I … Continue reading Continue reading

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