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The Labyrinth of the Spirits: A Novel (The Cemetery of Forgotten Book 4) Kindle Edition
New York Times Bestseller
"Packed with suspense. . . a gripping edge-of-your-seat thriller.” — Washington Book Review
The internationally acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author returns to the magnificent universe he constructed in his bestselling novels The Shadow of the Wind, The Angel’s Game, and The Prisoner of Heaven in this riveting series finale—a heart-pounding thriller and nail-biting work of suspense which introduces a sexy, seductive new heroine whose investigation shines a light on the dark history of Franco’s Spain.
In this unforgettable final volume of Ruiz Zafón’s cycle of novels set in the universe of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, beautiful and enigmatic Alicia Gris, with the help of the Sempere family, uncovers one of the most shocking conspiracies in all Spanish history.
Nine-year-old Alicia lost her parents during the Spanish Civil War when the Nacionales (the fascists) savagely bombed Barcelona in 1938. Twenty years later, she still carries the emotional and physical scars of that violent and terrifying time. Weary of her work as an investigator for Spain’s secret police in Madrid, a job she has held for more than a decade, the twenty-nine-year old plans to move on. At the insistence of her boss, Leandro Montalvo, she remains to solve one last case: the mysterious disappearance of Spain’s Minister of Culture, Mauricio Valls.
With her partner, the intimidating policeman Juan Manuel Vargas, Alicia discovers a possible clue—a rare book by the author Victor Mataix hidden in Valls’ office in his Madrid mansion. Valls was the director of the notorious Montjuic Prison in Barcelona during World War II where several writers were imprisoned, including David Martín and Victor Mataix. Traveling to Barcelona on the trail of these writers, Alicia and Vargas meet with several booksellers, including Juan Sempere, who knew her parents.
As Alicia and Vargas come closer to finding Valls, they uncover a tangled web of kidnappings and murders tied to the Franco regime, whose corruption is more widespread and horrifying than anyone imagined. Alicia’s courageous and uncompromising search for the truth puts her life in peril. Only with the help of a circle of devoted friends will she emerge from the dark labyrinths of Barcelona and its history into the light of the future.
In this haunting novel, Carlos Ruiz Zafón proves yet again that he is a masterful storyteller and pays homage to the world of books, to his ingenious creation of the Cemetery of Forgotten, and to that magical bridge between literature and our lives.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper
- Publication dateSeptember 18, 2018
- File size9568 KB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A mystery, a love letter to books, and a magical adventure all wrapped up in one, this book is a masterful work of literature that will invigorate your love of reading.
-- "Bustle"From monstrous evildoers to innocent children, lovesick devotees to desperate victims, grieving parents to lost souls, Weyman embraces all manner of characters with energetic aplomb.
-- "Booklist (starred audio review)"The sublime culmination to a truly outstanding series...a reading experience not to be missed.
-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"A colossal achievement...a genre-crossing delight...Ruiz Zafon's trick is to have linked multiple genres-fantasy, historical, romance, meta-fictional, police-procedural, and political-through prose of atmospheric specificity.
-- "Guardian (London)"Ruiz Zafon brings his sprawling Cemetery of Forgotten Books tetralogy to a close...A satisfying conclusion to a grand epic that, of course, will only leave its fans wanting more.
-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"From the Back Cover
In this unforgettable novel, readers are introduced to the beautiful and enigmatic Alicia Gris, as Carlos Ruiz Zafón brings to a close his cycle of novels set in the universe of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
In 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, Alicia lost her parents at the age of nine when the Nationalists savagely bombed Barcelona. Twenty years later, she still carries the emotional and physical scars from that brutal era. Weary of her work as an investigator for Spain’s secret police in Madrid, she is ready to move on. But at the insistence of her boss, Leandro Montalvo, she agrees to solve one last case: the mysterious disappearance of Spain’s minister of culture, Mauricio Valls.
With her partner, the intimidating policeman Juan Manuel Vargas, Alicia discovers a possible clue—a rare book by the author Victor Mataix hidden in Valls’s office. During World War II, Valls was the director of the notorious prison in Barcelona’s Montjuïc Castle, where several writers—including Mataix—were imprisoned.
As Alicia and Vargas come tantalizingly close to finding Valls, they uncover an eerie web of kidnappings and murders tied to the corrupt Franco regime. As she navigates the dark labyrinths of Barcelona, where demons from her own past await her, she is aided by the Sempere family as well as the unforgettable Fermín, ultimately confronting the hideous missing pieces of the puzzle.
In this haunting new novel, Carlos Ruiz Zafón proves yet again that he is a masterful storyteller and pays homage to the world of books, to his ingenious creation of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and to that magical bridge between literature and our lives.
About the Author
Carlos 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.
Daniel Weyman is an actor and an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator. He has appeared on stage in Sam West's Sheffield Crucible production of As You Like It and the Chichester Festival Theatre's production of David Edgar's The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. His portrayal of the title character earned him a nomination for Best Performance in a Play at the 2006 TMA Awards. His television appearances include Colditz and the BAFTA-winning BBC drama Dunkirk. In 2010 he played Tom Jackson in his first lead movie role in the film Just Ines.
Product details
- ASIN : B075CFHZRW
- Publisher : Harper; Reprint edition (September 18, 2018)
- Publication date : September 18, 2018
- Language : English
- File size : 9568 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 833 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #124,968 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #869 in Mystery Action Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #1,008 in Fantasy Adventure Fiction
- #1,211 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Carlos Ruiz Zafón is the author of six novels, including the international phenomenon The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game, the first two books in a series of novels set in literary universe of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. His work has been published in more than forty different languages, and honored with numerous international awards. He divides his time between Barcelona, Spain, and Los Angeles, California.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story compelling and intriguing. They describe the book as an enjoyable read with a well-written plot and engaging characters. Readers appreciate the heartfelt romance and humor throughout the series. The concept of lost books is also a big part of the story, and mysteries are explored throughout.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story and writing. They find the plot compelling with unexpected twists and turns that keep them hooked. The characters bring out their imagination and include them in the events. Readers appreciate the creative prose that explores different genres.
"...its length, the story flew by and every page felt necessary and engaging. I will be returning to this book, and the series, many times in the future...." Read more
"...The story is compelling, but for me its the writing (and magnificent translation by Lucia Graves) that warrants such an enthusiastic recommendation...." Read more
"...as the others, there are mysteries, murders, human tragedy, political intrigue, stories within stories, complexities of the history of the Spanish..." Read more
"...There are multiple story lines that were all somehow connected; and through those we reconnected with many of the characters that we met in earlier..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book series. They find the characters engaging and the writing well-crafted. Readers feel compelled to read the entire series.
"...about books, featuring the most fantastic library imaginable, a charming bookstore, lovable booksellers, mysterious authors, the process of writing,..." Read more
"...Zafon earns my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation - not only for the complexity of plot and honesty of character, but especially for the..." Read more
"This brilliant novel -part of a series- deserves to be immortalized among the great tomes of authors who write thousands of pages which germinate..." Read more
"Ruiz Zafon finished his "Labyrinth" series with a very powerful book...." Read more
Customers praise the writing style. They find the plot engaging and praise the author's skill. The book is described as bold, atmospheric, romantic, and violent. It is praised by critics and ordinary readers alike.
"...get quite a bit of insight into what Ruiz Zafon values in the craftsmanship of writing, which is woven in along with acknowledgments of sorts in a..." Read more
"...a bibliophile that I am so smitten with his books, but Zafon writes with breathtaking beauty - a lost book Gris stumbles across captures my reaction..." Read more
"...Zafon’s novels are reflective of his passion and artistry. The world lost a great writer when he passed away in 2020, age 55...." Read more
"...I am truly in awe of this author and his brilliance...." Read more
Customers find the characters interesting and well-written. They appreciate the narrative that connects them and the honesty of the characters.
"...to book lovers, not only for its gorgeous storytelling and compelling characters, but also because it's a series about books, featuring the most..." Read more
"...recommendation - not only for the complexity of plot and honesty of character, but especially for the lyric, almost poetic rhythm of his prose...." Read more
"...Dripping with gothic atmosphere and dread, Zafón's characters are beautifully realized and his command of language remains outstanding...." Read more
"...in a theatre of humour, tragedy, history and love, played by personas of such authenticity that the reader will feel richer for knowing them, yet..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's romance. They find it heartfelt, emotional, and romantic. The book is described as a monument to family love set in Barcelona during Franco's brutal reign. Readers praise the writing as poetic and lyrical, speaking directly to their hearts.
"...: mystery, historical fiction, police procedural, political thriller, romance, fantasy... If you're looking for a fun, light mystery this isn't for..." Read more
"...complexity of plot and honesty of character, but especially for the lyric, almost poetic rhythm of his prose...." Read more
"This is a stunning masterpiece of a novel. Bold, atmospheric, romantic, grotesquely violent, but with a quiet beauty that is rooted in the love of..." Read more
"...Part romance, part mystery, part espionage novel, this story take some concentration to follow as it follows the various character to the final and..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find the writing style engaging, with witty dialogue and emotion. The plot is described as complex but clever.
"...creative prose wandering into so many genres --fantastic, historic, comic, thrilling --lures the reader into the labyrinth and doesn't let go...." Read more
"A masterful storyteller with soulful characters, depth and humor. I wish the author would be among us for longer to keep us enchanted with his prose…" Read more
"...This book is almost relentlessly bleak and cynical, moving from one misery to the next and ending on a sad note with the barest hint of..." Read more
"...history of a certain time in Spain, interesting characters and humor...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's content. They find the concepts of lost books intriguing and praise it as a satisfying conclusion to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. The mysteries are explored throughout the series, leaving enough open doors for further exploration. Readers appreciate that the book fills in many of the old questions or holes from earlier books and continues the storyline faithfully. Overall, they describe it as a labyrinthine monument in modern literature.
"...Authors and books are a big part of the story. My only criticism is there was a little too much extraneous detail at places." Read more
"Highly recommend this author. One of those books you get lost in..." Read more
"...Truly a labyrinthine monument in modern literature...." Read more
"...I find this book fills in many of the old questions or holes from earlier books and carries the story line faithfully without any loss of story,..." Read more
Customers have different views on the book's pacing. Some find it engaging and skillfully connected mysteries, while others find it disappointing, frustrating, and unengaging.
"...process of writing, the magic of storytelling, and the powerful, undeniable hold that a treasured book can have on a reader...." Read more
"...The structure of the book is a bit unusual, however, in that the narrative effectively shifts from Alicia's story about four-fifths of the way..." Read more
"...So much clarifying at the end, tying up loose ends. Go with the order written, or mix it up, you be you!..." Read more
"...storylines with humor when least expected and keeps the reader glued to page after page...." Read more
Reviews with images
Binds up all the mysteries
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2018If you adored Shadow of the Wind, this novel will not disappoint. If you're new to the series, welcome. I'm jealous of the first time reading experience you're about to have. One of the wonderful things about these books (this is the 4th and supposedly final) is that they can be read in any order and while they're all standalone stories, each adds a layer of context and insight into the others. It is truly a labyrinth of storytelling and masterfully done. Having said that, knowing the first three books added to my experience reading The Labyrinth of the Spirits. It's not mandatory to begin with The Shadow of the Wind, but I would recommend it.
Atmosphere abounds in this genre-defying book. I felt like I was right there with the characters, twisting through the streets of Barcelona, hiding in the shadows, breathing in gunpowder, living off of caffeine and adrenaline, and pushing through too-little sleep to uncover the next piece of the puzzle. The Semperes and Fermin Romero de Torres return, as do other friends and enemies from the previous books, but the main protagonist in this story is Alicia Gris, a bold and alluring woman assigned to investigate a missing person (a returning character who I'll let you discover). The pacing is fantastic. It starts with short snippets into various POVs and story lines as a sort of appetizer before slowly building on the main mystery of the book. You gradually uncover more as the plot builds and you delve deeper into the heart of the city and characters. About halfway through the pieces begin to fall together with increasing speed and for the next 200 pages or so it's non-stop, unputdownable thrills. Yes, there are a few twists, one of which actually made me close my book in disbelief for several minutes before I felt capable of continuing. Nothing felt contrived. Everything felt fitting. I didn't feel cheated or misled. The pace slows down again at the end of the book to ease you back to normal and fill in the gaps. In the end you also get quite a bit of insight into what Ruiz Zafon values in the craftsmanship of writing, which is woven in along with acknowledgments of sorts in a clever way that not everyone may not love, but I quite enjoyed. It is one satisfying, gorgeous read.
Like the other books in the series this installment is a wonderful mix of genres: mystery, historical fiction, police procedural, political thriller, romance, fantasy... If you're looking for a fun, light mystery this isn't for you. It's over 800 pages, with multiple characters and sub-plots to keep track of, and, while not gratuitous, it has some torture and squeamish bits to make you uncomfortable if you're highly sensitive. However, if you enjoy modern Gothic tales dripping with atmosphere or detailed mysteries with complex histories to sink your teeth into, this book is fantastic. The series is truly a gift to book lovers, not only for its gorgeous storytelling and compelling characters, but also because it's a series about books, featuring the most fantastic library imaginable, a charming bookstore, lovable booksellers, mysterious authors, the process of writing, the magic of storytelling, and the powerful, undeniable hold that a treasured book can have on a reader.
I was a fan of all previous books, but if readers of the series were disappointed in The Angel's Game or The Prisoner of Heaven, fear not. The Labyrinth of the Spirits is Carlos Ruiz Zafon as his masterful best. Despite its length, the story flew by and every page felt necessary and engaging. I will be returning to this book, and the series, many times in the future. The atmosphere and level of storytelling are unparalleled.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019In his forward to his fourth (and final) book about the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Zafon writes, "Each individual installment in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series can be read in any order, or separately, enabling the reader to explore the labyrinth of stories along different paths that, when woven together, lead to the heart of the narrative." I think there is some truth in this, although I recommend beginning at the beginning (_The Shadow of the Wind_), as the characters and of course the Cemetery itself, are easier to follow, and events from previous books might be spoiled by starting here. That said, Zafon is a writer of breathtaking beauty and his words and the world of Barcelona in the 50s and 60s is - like his books - magical.
_The Labyrinth of the Spirits_ begins at the end of the story in 1992, before jumping back to the spring of 1938 when Spain was in the throes of its brutal civil war, jumping ahead again to the late 1950s and early 1960s dealing the brutality and ugliness of Franco's Spain and the tragedies that many Spaniards experienced, and which were buried and hidden for decades. Early in the book, Daniel Sempere asks his old friend Fermin "Is this a story or love, or war?" to which Fermin answers, "What's the difference?" This, I think, gets to the heart of the story - and wanting to avoid spoilers, I can only talk about the plot in the broadest terms.
On the surface it is missing details of the Sempere family, but mostly it is about censorship and the atrocities and crimes the Fascists perpetuated against families like the Semperes. Alicia Gris, a agent of the state, is asked to find a kidnapped Minister who has old ties to the Sempere family dating back to the civil war; as Gris begins her search, she gradually discovers many secrets the Franco government would prefer to be forgotten. Her dogged investigation endangers both her life as well as the Semperes who are unaware of the threat.
But as with his previous books, Zafon writes with many layers to his story. Issues of justice, of complicity and a burning accusation of the Franco regime (which Spain is still struggling with, even after 40 years since the dictator's death). As Zafon explains it, "meritocracy and the Mediterranean climate are by necessity incompatible." The story is compelling, but for me its the writing (and magnificent translation by Lucia Graves) that warrants such an enthusiastic recommendation. Perhaps its because I am a bibliophile that I am so smitten with his books, but Zafon writes with breathtaking beauty - a lost book Gris stumbles across captures my reaction to reading his work: "Every paragraph, every sentence, seemed written in a musical key. The narrative drew her through a cadence of timbres and colors that sketched a theater of shadows in her mind. ... relishing every sentence and dreading the moment when she would reach the end. When, upon turning the last page, she came across the illustration of a curtain crashing down on a stage and making the text evaporate into shadowy dust, Alicia closed the book over her chest and lay down in the dark, her gaze still lost in the adventures of Adriana in her labyrinth."
There are many authors of whom I recommend for a variety of reasons. Zafon earns my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation - not only for the complexity of plot and honesty of character, but especially for the lyric, almost poetic rhythm of his prose. If you have not read his earlier books in the series, do. If you are familiar with the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, you will especially enjoy the conclusion to the narrative here.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021This brilliant novel -part of a series- deserves to be immortalized among the great tomes of authors who write thousands of pages which germinate from a single idea. In fact, the whole series deserves to be immortalized. I wish I had had the opportunity to read the books in sequence, not separated by years before the next one came along, but that will be a future project for me. In this novel, as well as the others, there are mysteries, murders, human tragedy, political intrigue, stories within stories, complexities of the history of the Spanish civil war combined with the stories of people trying to exist during the worst of times. Most of the setting is in Barcelona, which, since it is the time of Franco, is shrouded by “grayness”: it’s often raining, the smoke from factories and cigarettes adds grayness to the air, the name of the main character is “Alicia Gris”, Gris being Spanish for “gray”. The word “shadow” (or a variation like”shade”) appears on almost every page in the story (and I’m not exaggerating). Zafon’s novels are reflective of his passion and artistry. The world lost a great writer when he passed away in 2020, age 55. If you’re ready to lose yourself in a series, read the collection of “The Cemetery of Forgotten Books”.
Top reviews from other countries
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ANNA MARIAReviewed in Brazil on June 19, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Muito boooom.
Esse é o 4° livro da série "Cemitério dos livros esquecidos" e consegue ser surpreendente. Novos personagens e conexões que são muito bem feitas.
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Utmärkt, precis som utlovat!!!!!Reviewed in Sweden on December 9, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Utmärkt
Utmärkt, precis som utlovat!!!!!
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RaquelReviewed in Spain on January 9, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Buena historia
Esta saga es increíble. Los primeros libros son mejores. Una pena que se haya ido tan pronto … ¡Cuánto disfrutaríamos de su escritura!. Lo he comprado en inglés para mi pareja estadounidense. Le encanta, le inspira.
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sheborReviewed in Italy on February 9, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars SUSPENSE
Non vedevo ora di andare a letto per leggerlo (l'unico momento della giornata che ho). Ottima trama, scritto bene e senza tanti aggettivi. Comprato anche il primo della serie. Mi piace questo scrittore.
- Baker Chick.Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
I sat in my chair for quite a while after finishing the last of this series of books. I used to think that The Shadow of the Wind was my all time favourite book, but I think it has been replaced by The Labyrinth of the Spirits. I love these books and Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a brilliant storyteller. His writing is beautiful and so well crafted. A truly enjoyable book