The Shadow of the Wind

Father Fernando tells Daniel and Fermin the little he knows about Carax. Father Fernando recalls meeting Carax at San Gabriel's school, where they become friends along with Jorge Aldaya,Miquel Moliner and Javier Fumero, the now famous detective. Fumero's hate towards Carax begins as jealousy because of Penelope Aldaya. As children, Fumero tried to murder Carax, after assasinating his own mother. Father Fernando also recounts Jacinta Coronado, who worked for the Aldayas, and was fond of Carax. After talking to Father Fernando, Daniel and Fermin question the father's story, while discussing and trying to put together all the different stories they've been told about Carax. When they reach home, Bea awaits for Daniel, and asks him to meet her later on that day.

Is it possible that Father Fernando would lie? or do you think that he might have omitted important details of the story?

The Shadow of the Wind..Part VIII

Following his visit with Nuria, Daniel meets up with Bea. As always, both throw smart remaks at each other to break the silence. Daniel proposes to Bea for them to take a walk and go eat. While Daniel eats, he reveals and tells Bea his story, and Carax's story, including The Shadow of the Wind, which excites her. Daniel takes Bea to the Cementery of Forgotten Books; obviously. Bea is awed by what she sees, and Daniel allows her to take a book, exempting The Shadow of the Wind. Unknowingly, Daniel kisses Bea, making the return home long and intense. The following morning, Fermin alerts Daniel about the PO Box, and discovers that Nuria was the proprietor is Nuria, and that she lied to him. Both Daniel and Fermin set forth a plan to exhume information on Carax, not lies. To do so, they turn to Father Fernando, a childhood friend of Carax.

Inbetween these pages, Fermin compares Daniel's life situations, with that of Carax's life. Do both of their lives relate? What impact can this have on Daniel, knowing that his life might be based on another's experiences and a book?

The Shadow of the Wind..Part VII

Daniel meets Merceditas, whom seems to be interested in his father. During their meeting at the bookstore, they (Daniel, Fermin, Sempere, & Merceditas) are notified that Mr. Flavia was arrested and tortured for being a transvestite, left in a terrble state, with bruises, cuts, etc. Fermin keeps ip with Mr. Flavia's health, and states that what these people did was"moronic." Mr. Sempere allows Daniel to take the day off. Daniel decides to go pay a visit to Nuria Monfort, Isaac' s daughter. Nuria tells Daniel the story of how she met Carax, and the "few" things she knew about him. Nuria also mentions that Daniel reminds her of Carax himself. Throughout the conversation Daniel gazes at Nuria,feeling some sort of attraction, simultaneously discovering new details about Carax. It seems that the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.

Thus far, Daniel has adventured his way into finding out about Carax's past. Do you think that his insistence will pay off?

The Shadow of the Wind..Part VI

In this section of the novel, Daniel continues to dig deeper into Carax's life. Daniel meets Mollins, who talks to him about Carax's parents, and how Daniel was suppose to be the outcome of an affair that his mother had with another man. Carax's "father" saw Carax as a sin because he was not his legimate son; furthermore, the fact that Carax had an abnormal behavior, had his father fill Carax's room with crucifixes, which helps Daniel to comprehend what he saw in the abandon home. After making such findings, Daniel decides to open the envelope he kept from Carax's home, and dicovers that apparently that Penelope was very close to Carax, more than friends. Daniel decides to go to the address on the envelope, only to run the same luck he did when he went over to Carax's home.

Do you think its a coincidence that no matter how hard and deep Daniel tries to get some dirt about Carax's past, all the puzzle pieces seem to be missing? Could it be that Carax is hiding himself?

The Shadow of the Wind..Part V

The next 25 pages of Zafon's novel, concentrates on Daniel's longing curiosity and determination in digging into Carax's past. This part of the book is full of mystery and tension, when Daniel decieds to take a trip to an abandon home, considered to be where Carax lived as a chilld. Daniel meets Doña Aurora, the care-taker of the building; after discussing with Daniel about Carax, Doña Aurora allows Daniel to set foot into the abandon home and tags along with him. The home has a rare and dark vibe, yet Daniel's curiosity is stronger than anything, as he is determined not to give up on finding about Carx's life. Eventhough it was asssumed that no one had set foot inside the house since the death of Carax's father, Daniel reveals otherwise after discovering recent footprints in the abandon place.

Do think that Coulbert, the shadow, is the one roaming the house? Does the possibilty that one of the characters presented up to this point might hide their identity as "Coulbert?"

The Shadow of the Wind..Part IV

The following pages of Carlos R. Zafon's novel, focus on Daniel changing and growing up, followed with new dixscoveries about Carax. Daniel continues to grow anxious about Carax, and begins to dig deeper into Carax's life. Daniel's curiosity is fed by Coulbert, the Shadow, who mysteriously continues to approach him. After the incident with Clara, Daniel meets Fermin Romero de Torres, who is the beggar who aid him, and offers him a job at the bookstore. Daniel and Fermin bond, and maintain a close relationship in which both know about each others' interests. Yet, as Daniel grows, he continues to build relationships. Daniel becomes best friends' with Tomas, who beat him up the first time they met. In the long run, Daniel discovers that Carax was not alone as assumed, but was known by various people, close family friends.

Do you think that the Daniel's relationship with Fermin will influence Daniel's curiosity and discoveries about Carax?

The Shadow of the Wind..Part III

The third part of Carlos R. Zafon's novel, The Shadow of the Wind, alludes Daniel's experiences with that of the book's main character. For his sixteenth birthday Daniel decides to have a small gathering by inviting Clara, Barcelo, and Bernarda over to dinner. Already having problems with his father, Daniel becomes dissapointed by his guests abscence, and blames it on Sempere. Daniel takes a stroll out at night, and notices that he is being followed by the shadow of the man, setting a suspenseful and mysterious tone. Daniel is later approached by this mysterious man, and is offered money in exchange for Carax's book; he declines the offer. This man threatens Daniel if he does not get hold of the book. Daniel's first instinct is Clara. Daniel goes into Barcelo's desolated home to get the book. He decides to peek in Clara's room, and finds himself looking at Clara's naked body being touch by Neri's hands. Neri becomes aware of Daniel's prescence and strikes Daniel. Despite the beating, Daniel walks himself to the Cementery of Forgotten Books to hide Carax's novel.

Questions: What do you think is this mysterious man's obsession wit Carax's books?
Could this man relate to Carax's past as told by the book keeper?