2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 3.5/5
Original Review:
Proof that the majestic, marvellous writing of Carlos Ruiz Zafón can make any story good, or at least enticing enough to make you come back for more.
I say this because there really isn't much of a story in the latest instalment of 'The Cemetery of Forgotten Books' series, 'The Prisoner of Heaven'. I was expecting something set at Christmas time, but only the first part of it is. I see the novel's themes of trust, unconditional love, hope and new beginnings to be very fitting for the holiday setting in the midst a cold and unforgiving winter season. After the new year, change happens, and another adventure is born.
The majority of 'The Prisoner of Heaven' is just telling the backstory of Fermín Romero de Torres, arguably the most popular character in the series. It's the sequel - not another prequel - to my favourite book, 'The Shadow of the Wind', and the main character is, once again, the ordinary-yet-rich-in-heart-and-soul bookseller Daniel Sempere. But this is really Fermín's story.
Oh and David Martin, the protagonist of the prequel 'The Angel's Game', plays a vital role in Fermín's prisoner past. No one even knows if he's still alive. Knowing how much Zafón loves to play around with his reader's expectations as well as his character's lives with his maze of complicated mysteries, David probably is among the living in 1950s Barcelona; a shadow, a fallen angel, a prisoner, a creepy writer.
And Daniel's mother is likely still alive too.
Daniel, Fermín, David. This triad is linked to the enigmatic and mysterious sanctuary that is Barcelona's Cemetery of Forgotten Books. That and to Spain's other dark, gloomy underground secrets.
I won't bother with a plot synopsis, because I'm sure you can find and read that yourself without me having to recap, or with a long review, because 'The Prisoner of Heaven' is in essence a short introductory novel leading to the epic climax of a final book in a quadrilogy. Or so Carlos Ruiz Zafón says =winkwink=. Nothing much happens here (at least in present day outside of flashbacks, narrated by Daniel), nor is much accomplished, apart from everything appearing happy and peaceful in the end - after all the grave suffering the men in this series have had to put up with in their lives.
However, like with Zafón's previous novels, the atmosphere the writing conveys is gorgeously Gothic; reminiscent of classics published during various revolutionary eras, such as industrial. 'The Prisoner of Heaven' specifically references 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in terms of plot points and angles. Its style is ethereal and yet harsh and solid enough for the reader to really care about the characters, their plights and their eccentric, human quirks.
While on the whole the book and its highlights revolve around the magnificent bastard-with-a-heart-of-gold Fermín Romero de Torres, Daniel Sempere himself also shines through, as a darker side is very slowly unearthing within this everyday family man. His growing anxieties, grief, experience of jealousy, horror at past truths, and his distrust of those he loves may drive him to despair. Even violence. Despite the efforts of his close friends and family, the world as he knows it is falling apart around him, more so than before. He thirsts for knowledge and more truths because he is tired of not knowing (making the Forgotten Books Cemetery's presence evermore crucial in its symbolism), and he wishes he were wiser. Daniel - a good young man - tastes the first evils of man, similar to how David Martin, decades before him, got involved in the world of corruption.
And revenge. Sweet, sweet revenge.
I can't wait to see how Daniel's character develops in the next sequel.
Above all, the cliffhanger, the anticipation of an unresolved mystery, the fates of the likable characters, hopes for a better, less corrupt future - all make me want to read the final installment of 'The Cemetery of Forgotten Books'. I find that, for a fan girl like me, it doesn't matter if nothing really happens that moves the plot forward with urgency. There is still tension, character development, riddles, an intriguing puzzle to solve... Darn I want to know where this will go and how it will all end! Not necessarily a filler edition, 'The Prisoner of Heaven' is more of a small puzzle piece to a much bigger picture than anything, but it is still worth the read for fans of the series.
'The Prisoner of Heaven' is the crux which sets the wheels going for one final rusting motion, a turning point for an upcoming, beautiful zenith, the debut of a promise of an extreme predicament, of a crowning moment worthy of a Booker prize.
I do kind of wish that the narrative would further resemble a conventional plot - not as obvious as a three-act linear structure, but with more focus at least. Plus, bafflingly, there aren't many references to the events of 'The Shadow of the Wind'. But as usual with Zafón's work, the characters and fascinating prose more than make up for a confusing or unsatisfactory storyline. I can't call it weak or boring, since the writing is addictive and keeps you guessing what's going to unravel in the next chapter.
Unlike a lot of other books ending in a cliffhanger, 'The Prisoner of Heaven' succeeded in leaving me wanting more. So I can forgive its flaws. Last battle, here I come!
Final Score: 3.5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment