Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - The Shadow of the Wind

The overall story was interesting but there is so much misogyny in this book! Not saying it’s necessarily supported by the narrative or the author but it’s everywhere. I really wish it wasn’t so I could enjoy this book :(

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meguniqueuser's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Very melodramatic. The main character Daniel is overly emotional and falls in love with almost every woman he meets and they in turn are charmed by him.

Every woman falls madly in love with Julian and is obsessed with him.
The criticisms that are thrown at romantic novels by female authors all apply here.

While the writing is poetic and evocative, the story lacks much meaning. Yet the author upholds the plot like it is the most sacred of texts. Maybe it was the audio I listened to with piano interludes that made it even more overdramatic.

Perhaps if you enjoy gloomy mellow drama you might enjoy this, but I don’t. I especially didn't like that the author describes women as sexual objects, plot devices, or the butt of jokes.

There are so many endings and epilogues, it was worst than the last Lord of the Rings.

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br3adstick's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

shadow of the wind is a beautifully written story with quotes that resonate, and a plot that keeps you turning page after page.

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bxnnny's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

this book was such a pleasant surprise. i wasn't really thinking i would like it all that much as i'm not really one for period pieces and i was worried it would drag. it was a little on the slow and steady side, but i was so enthralled in the story of julían and daniel that i honestly had a hard time putting it down. the characters were so well-written and believable and i enjoyed seeing the mystery of julían carax interspersed with daniel's own parallel story. i felt so attached to so many of these characters. this story really tugged at my heart and it'll be one that will stick with me for a long, long time.

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corrin_takara's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

At times was a struggle to read partly because of the slow pace as well as a long list of possible triggering topics which lead to hard to read passages. Picked up towards the end and grabbed my attention with a satisfying twist

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readandfindout's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

3.5

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 3 stars
Characters: 2 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars

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