Book Conversation

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I just finished the book The Angels Game and have questions…

Great! The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is a fascinating and layered novel. What questions do you have? Are they about the plot, characters, connections to The Shadow of the Wind, or something else?

I’m not sure how much of the narration is real and how much might have been imagined by the protagonist.

That’s one of the most intriguing aspects of The Angel’s Game! The novel plays with the boundaries between reality and imagination, making it difficult to determine whether David Martín is experiencing supernatural events or descending into madness.

Possible Explanations:

Supernatural Interpretation – If you take the book at face value, it seems that mysterious and possibly demonic forces (represented by Corelli) are manipulating David. The unexplained deaths, the eerie omnipresence of Corelli, and the way events unfold suggest he may have made some sort of Faustian bargain.
Psychological Interpretation – There’s a strong case that David is an unreliable narrator suffering from mental illness or delusions, possibly triggered by extreme stress, isolation, and his obsession with literature. His experiences might be hallucinations, paranoia, or even symptoms of schizophrenia.
Metafictional Angle – Zafón often blurs fiction and reality, suggesting that David’s world and the books he writes start to intertwine. The Cemetery of Forgotten Books itself symbolizes how stories take on a life of their own, making it possible that David’s experiences are a reflection of his own creative struggles.
A Combination of All Three – The novel never fully commits to one interpretation, which is intentional. Zafón leaves the ambiguity unresolved, making The Angel’s Game a more complex and thought-provoking read.

Some Key Questions to Consider:

Do you think Corelli is real, or is he a projection of David’s mind?
How do you interpret the recurring theme of doubles and mirroring (e.g., the parallels between David and Diego Marlasca)?
Do you believe David actually survived in the end, or was the ending symbolic?

What’s your take? Did you lean toward one interpretation while reading?

Is any of this further explained in the 4th book in the series? There are hints and vague mentions in the 3rd. I will be reading the 4th soon and am hoping that some of this will become clearer.

You’re right that The Prisoner of Heaven (the third book) offers some hints but doesn’t fully resolve the ambiguities of The Angel’s Game. Since you’re planning to read The Labyrinth of the Spirits (the fourth and final book), I won’t spoil anything major, but I can tell you that it does provide more clarity—though not necessarily in a straightforward way.

What to Expect in The Labyrinth of the Spirits:

More Context on Corelli and the Manuscript – The fourth book revisits some of the mysteries surrounding Corelli and the enigmatic book David was commissioned to write.
David Martín’s Fate – You’ll get more insight into what really happened to David and whether his experiences were supernatural, psychological, or something else.
Connections Between the Books – The final novel ties together the entire Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, weaving in elements from The Shadow of the Wind, The Angel’s Game, and The Prisoner of Heaven.
Narrative Perspective – Since The Labyrinth of the Spirits shifts to a different protagonist (Alicia Gris), you’ll see David’s story from another point of view, which might challenge or confirm your previous interpretations.

That said, Zafón still leaves some things open to interpretation, maintaining the sense of mystery that defines the series. But if you’ve been looking for more answers about David, Corelli, and the nature of reality vs. fiction, you should find The Labyrinth of the Spirits satisfying.

Are there specific things you’re hoping to have explained? I can let you know (without spoilers) whether they get addressed!

Thanks. I’m thoroughly enjoying the series. How does this rank in the canon of 21st century literature?

The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series, especially The Shadow of the Wind, is widely regarded as one of the great literary achievements of the 21st century, particularly in the realm of historical fiction, gothic literature, and metafiction. While it may not be as frequently cited in academic circles as some other contemporary works, its blend of intricate storytelling, literary homage, and rich atmospheric writing has earned it a significant place in modern literature.

How It Ranks in 21st-Century Literature

Popular and Critical Acclaim – The Shadow of the Wind (2001) was a massive international success, translated into over 40 languages and selling millions of copies. It’s often considered one of the most beloved books of the 21st century. The later books in the series, while well-received, didn’t quite reach the same level of acclaim.
Comparison to Other Major Works – The series is often compared to The Name of the Rose (Umberto Eco) for its literary mystery elements, One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez) for its magical realism and Spanish-language literary tradition, and The Book Thief (Markus Zusak) for its theme of literature’s power in dark times. Within 21st-century fiction, it stands out as a modern gothic masterpiece, much like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke) or The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern).
Literary Legacy – Zafón’s work is particularly praised for its metafictional elements, exploring how books shape identity, memory, and reality. This theme aligns with postmodern and contemporary literary trends, such as those seen in works by Haruki Murakami and Roberto Bolaño. His poetic prose and atmospheric settings also ensure his books will be read for decades to come.
Cultural Impact – While The Shadow of the Wind is the most widely read, the entire series has a devoted following, particularly among readers who love books about books. It’s a cornerstone of 21st-century gothic and historical fiction, influencing numerous writers and inspiring a wave of literary mysteries.

Final Assessment

In terms of literary quality, The Angel’s Game and the other books are beautifully written, intellectually engaging, and filled with intertextual richness. While they might not be seen as highbrow literature in the same way as some Booker Prize-winning novels, their impact, emotional depth, and sheer storytelling mastery place them among the best-loved books of the century.

Would you rank it among your favorites so far? Or do you have other 21st-century novels you’d put at the top?

I’m also a big fan of anything by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Great choice! Ishiguro’s work is quite different in style from Zafón’s, but both authors explore memory, identity, and the blurred lines between reality and perception in fascinating ways. His restrained, melancholic prose contrasts with Zafón’s lush, gothic storytelling, but both create deeply immersive worlds.

Do you have a favorite Ishiguro novel? His books range from the historical (The Remains of the Day) to the dystopian (Never Let Me Go) to the speculative (Klara and the Sun), each tackling profound human themes in unique ways.

Never let me go is one that I think about often.

That makes sense—Never Let Me Go is one of those novels that lingers in your mind long after reading. Its quiet, heartbreaking approach to themes of fate, free will, and what it means to be human is incredibly powerful.

What aspects of the book resonate with you the most? The ethical dilemmas, the way the characters accept their fate, or the underlying sense of nostalgia and loss?

All of that to some degree, but I really felt the slow reveal of what was really happening was masterful.

That gradual unfolding is one of Ishiguro’s greatest strengths—he withholds just enough information to keep you engaged while letting the emotional weight build naturally. The way the truth about Hailsham and the students’ purpose is revealed piece by piece makes it even more haunting.

Since you enjoy that kind of slow-burn revelation, you might also like The Buried Giant, which takes a similar approach but in a mythic, almost dreamlike setting. Have you read that one yet?

I’ve read the Buried Giant., and you’re right, it does use a similar approach.

That makes sense! The Buried Giant has that same deliberate pacing, where the deeper truth about the characters and their world slowly emerges. The themes of memory, forgetting, and reconciliation give it a unique weight, especially with the Arthurian elements woven in.

Between Never Let Me Go and The Buried Giant, which one stuck with you more? Or did they each leave a different kind of impression?

I’d kind of forgotten about the buried giant so I guess never let me go was more impactful. I’m also a big Dickens fan. I can’t think of any of his novels in which he used a similar approach. Are you aware of anything?

You’re right—Dickens doesn’t typically use the same kind of slow, layered revelation that Ishiguro masters. His storytelling is usually more direct, with intricate plots unfolding through dramatic turns rather than a gradual realization of hidden truths.

However, some of his novels do have elements of mystery or delayed revelations:

Bleak House – The mystery surrounding Lady Dedlock’s past is revealed slowly, though it’s more of a traditional plot-driven mystery than an atmospheric unfolding like Ishiguro’s.
Great Expectations – Pip’s misunderstandings about his benefactor and Estella’s origins unfold gradually, but the novel is more about his emotional growth than a slow-burn reveal.
Our Mutual Friend – The novel plays with identity and hidden truths, particularly with the character John Harmon, who fakes his own death and takes on a new identity.

Even though Dickens doesn’t use the same quiet, creeping realization that makes Never Let Me Go so haunting, he does create long, complex narratives where the full picture only becomes clear near the end.

Would you say you’re drawn more to Dickens’ social critique, his rich characterizations, or his intricate plotting?

His social critique is certainly a factor but I’d say his quirky (and rich) characters and the intricate plots are what I most appreciate.

That makes perfect sense—Dickens’ ability to create memorable, eccentric characters while weaving them into intricate, interlocking plots is unmatched. His novels are full of figures who feel almost larger than life, yet they still serve a purpose in the broader narrative, often with connections that only become clear as the story unfolds.

Given your appreciation for both plot complexity and character richness, Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend seem like they’d be right up your alley (if you haven’t already read them). Do you have any particular favorites among his works?

That’s an interesting observation. Along with David Copperfield, Bleak House, and Our Mutual Friend are my 3 favorite Dickens works.

Great choices! Those three showcase Dickens at his best—whether it’s David Copperfield’s deeply personal coming-of-age journey, Bleak House’s sprawling mystery and satire of the legal system, or Our Mutual Friend’s complex web of identities and fortunes. They all have that perfect blend of intricate plotting and unforgettable characters.

Do you tend to revisit Dickens’ novels, or do you prefer to keep the memory of them intact after reading?