Article first published as Book Review: Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón on Blogcritics.
About:
The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is the third book in the Forgotten Books series. The first two books, The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel’s Game have been international best sellers.
The publisher is giving away one copy of this book—use the Rafflecopter form at the end of the post to enter.
- 288 pages
- Publisher:Harper
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:0062206281
Thoughts:
The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (website) is also set in Barcelona, much like the other books. This time though the story toggles between the 1940s and the late 1950s .
This book is almost impossible to put down, if you liked the first two (especially The Shadow of the Wind), you will love this book is it keeps the same storytelling and most of all, the same wonderful sense of humor. The book is shorten than its predecessors, the structure, which as mentioned above still follows a past/present thread is more clearly defined. In the previous books the thread was intermingled and took some getting used in order to follow properly.
Out of the three books, this one is the least self-contained. I would actually recommend reading the other two, especially The Angel’s Game first because The Prisoner of Heaven ties up a lot of loose ends which can only be understood in the reference of the back story and familiarity with the prior books.
I forgot how much I liked the fabulous character of Fermin Romero de Torres, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite literary characters. A romantic at heart, linguist in mind and a dreamer by trade, Fermin’s outrageous and often hilarious observations leave me in envy and awe with a thirst for more.
I remiss not to mention another one of the author’s unsung characters, the city of Barcelona which is revealed, throughout the series in all her grit and glory in both sun and shade.
One could not also forego Zafón’s tributes to previous masterful storytellers. From obvious Dumas to Cervantes, Dickens to Hugo these masters would be proud of the homage paid to them (in purpose or just in this reader’s mind – does it even matter?) in another masterful tale.
The great narrative, prose and wonderful comedic timing continue in the strong tradition of the Forgotten Books series. I read many translated books and I have to say that this series is probably the finest translated (even though I don’t read in Spanish). Usually there are things amiss in foreign books, be it the cultural references, the style or jokes. However, translator Julia Graves hasn’t missed a beat (and if she did, I couldn’t tell), the story flows smoothly without the reader having to stop due to misunderstandings.
Related Reads:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Synopsis:
Daniel Sempere and his wife Bea are content with their life and their beautiful new baby, Julian and that their good friend, Fermin Romero de Torres is about to get married. But when a strange walks into Sempere’s book shop and threatens to divulge a terrible secret about Fermin, their happiness subsides.
Daniel and Fermin go down a path which they might never come back, and if they do, they will never be the same. The story jumps from Barcelona 1957, to 1940 – a terrible time in Spain’s tumultuous history to reveal, piece by piece, more about the characters which we thought we knew.
Giveaway
Giveaway ends: July 24, 2012
US/Canada Shipping Addresses Only
No PO Boxes
Winners will have 24 hours to write back with their address, otherwise an alternate winner will be picked
Congratulations: name as email
TLC Book Tour forThe Prisoner of Heavenby Carlos Ruiz Zafón :
- Thursday, July 5th:No More Grumpy Bookseller
- Monday, July 16th:A Bookish Affair
- Tuesday, July 17th: Man of La Book
- Wednesday, July 18th:Bookworm’s Dinner
- Monday, July 23rd:Drey’s Library
- Tuesday, July 24th:Col Reads
- Wednesday, July 25th:“That’s Swell!”
- Thursday, July 26th:Jenn’s Bookshelves
- Friday, July 27th:Wordsmithonia
- Monday, July 30th:Broken Teepee
- Monday, July 30th:A Book Geek
- Monday, August 6th:No More Grumpy Bookseller
- Tuesday, August 7th:A Novel Source
- Wednesday, August 8th:My Two Blessings
- Thursday, August 9th:Raging Bibliomania
- Friday, August 10th:Kritters Ramblings
- Date TBD:Book Him Danno!
- TBD:Just Joanna
Zohar – Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free fromTLC Book Tours
BOOK BLOGGERS – Have you read The Prisoner of Heaven? If so link up your review below:
24 Comments
Thanks for the giveaway. julierupert@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
Oops, forgot to leave email:
darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
thanks—
englejenengle at aol
One of these days I am going to read the other two books in this trilogy. I think I own both of them, but just haven’t got around to them. (No need to enter me in give-away)
Barcelona is a fabulous city and I love Spanish culture, so I am definitely interested in this book (and the other two). thanks for another excellent review.
Thanks! Sam_cb98@hotmail.com
My grandpa’s from Spain so naturally I have an interest in Spain and everything surrounding it. email: supersonic182(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for the giveaway and the review!
I’m excited to start the series!
This book caught my eye when I was at the bookstore a few days ago and I couldn’t resist touching the cover.
It’s a very nice cover, but I wonder why they strayed away from the format of the rest of the series.
I’ve heard that this is an absolutely brilliant book. I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for having this giveaway.
carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
This was my first experience with his writing, and I’m still not sure what my review is going to say yet.
Love to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
Email: ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Love this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
I still have The Shadow of the Wind on my shelf to read. One of these days! 🙂
You should read it, you’re going to love it.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Love his books, thanks for the giveaway!
It’s good to know that the translator did such a great job on this one – that is super important to me.
Thanks for being on the tour.
I love this author. He is such an excellent writer. Have you read his ebook Rose of Fire that is a prequel to Shadow of the Wind? I highly recommend.
booksnobsblog at gmail dot com
Yes, I have read Rose of Fire and liked it but I love the whole Cemetery of Forgotten Books idea.
readerrabbit22@gmail.com
This is a fantastic giveaway. Thank you!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the great giveaway!!
megnate at telus dot net