The book begins with a chase through the streets of Calcutta in May 1916. Lieutenant Peake pauses for breath outside the ruins of the Jheeter's Gate station knowing that he only has a few hours to live. Inside his overcoat he is sheltering two newborn babies - twins, a boy and a girl. Pursued by his would-be assassins, Peake runs at full tilt to the house of Aryami Bose, to whom he entrusts the children. In 1932 we meet the boy, Ben, and his group of friends the night before they are due to leave St Patricks orphanage. They have formed a secret club, The Chowbar Society, that meets each week at midnight in the old ruin they have christened The Midnight Palace. Their final meeting is due that evening but then Aryami Bose turns up at the orphanage with Sheere, Ben's sister, and tells them the story of the parents they never knew. Their father was an engineer and writer who died in tragic circumstances at the inauguration of Jheeter's Gate station. But as the novel unfolds, there is more to this story than meets the eye and they are lured by a shadowy figure from the past into a final showdown in the ruins.
The Midnight Palace
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Read sensitively and generously by the fabulous Dan Stevens ... Though chock-full of the supernatural, it is emotionally realistic, and thrilling to the bitter end. J K Rowling meets Enid Blyton, and wins. (INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY )
Book Description
From the author of THE SHADOW OF THE WIND and THE PRINCE OF MIST. A ghost story with real cross-over appeal. Unabridged Edition
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Carlos Ruiz Zafon's adult novels; The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game are two of my all-time favourite books. I was a little disappointed by his last Young Adult novel that was published here; The Prince of The Mist, so I tried not to expect too much of The Midnight Palace.
Happily, I was not disappointed by this read at all. Set in Calcutta in the early part of the twentieth century, this is a brilliantly written mixture of adventure, magic and a little bit of horror. Probably best for older children as it contains some quite violent and gory scenes, it really is an exciting read. The setting of Calcutta is wonderful, gothic and mysterious and full of dark corners, strange old houses, corridors and ghosts. The characters are drawn so well, from the evil Jawahal who is so dark and menacing to the hero of the story Ben, the sixteen year old boy that Jawahal wants to destroy.
This is a great adventure, with ghostly trains, strange old women and brave young heroes - a great read for the young and also for the not so young!
Happily, I was not disappointed by this read at all. Set in Calcutta in the early part of the twentieth century, this is a brilliantly written mixture of adventure, magic and a little bit of horror. Probably best for older children as it contains some quite violent and gory scenes, it really is an exciting read. The setting of Calcutta is wonderful, gothic and mysterious and full of dark corners, strange old houses, corridors and ghosts. The characters are drawn so well, from the evil Jawahal who is so dark and menacing to the hero of the story Ben, the sixteen year old boy that Jawahal wants to destroy.
This is a great adventure, with ghostly trains, strange old women and brave young heroes - a great read for the young and also for the not so young!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Graeme Stewart
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Like many, I found Carlos Ruiz Zafon through The Shadow Of The Wind, which remains to this day my favourite piece of fiction writing. I loved The Angel's Game, and The Prince Of Mists, which although it is written for a young adult readership, is a thrilling read that any adult can, and should enjoy.
Anyway... to The Midnight Palace. One of the delights of any book by CRZ is the characterisation. The heroes and heroines become your friends very quickly, and you genuinely care what happens to them. As I say, this is a trait of Zafon, and it makes even his most convoluted plots very engaging.
Another great talent of Zafon's is to create & build great mood and atmosphere, and give a real sense of place. I feel like I "know" Calcutta from this book, despite having never been there, just as I could traverse Barcelona, as I have done many times in my mind, reading his adult books.
Something I feel gives Zafons' books a consistency is his ongoing relationship with Lucia Graves, as translator. Despite being a fluent English speaker, Zafon has used her services to give a more coloquial touch to the language of all his books so far, and retaining the true feel of his original Spanish prose. I have discussed the books with a Spanish friend, and our understanding of the texts seems very close, so much credit to Ms Graves.
I realise I haven't haven't touched on plot, and I won't, because that is a great part of the joy in reading any book, but suffice to say, readers will not be disappointed in the twists & turns of The Midnight Palace, and a rattling good read will be had. It is a page turner, and if you start in the morning, you'll be finished at bedtime, even if you take breaks for meals and the toilet!
Enjoy. Then pre-order The September Lights!
Anyway... to The Midnight Palace. One of the delights of any book by CRZ is the characterisation. The heroes and heroines become your friends very quickly, and you genuinely care what happens to them. As I say, this is a trait of Zafon, and it makes even his most convoluted plots very engaging.
Another great talent of Zafon's is to create & build great mood and atmosphere, and give a real sense of place. I feel like I "know" Calcutta from this book, despite having never been there, just as I could traverse Barcelona, as I have done many times in my mind, reading his adult books.
Something I feel gives Zafons' books a consistency is his ongoing relationship with Lucia Graves, as translator. Despite being a fluent English speaker, Zafon has used her services to give a more coloquial touch to the language of all his books so far, and retaining the true feel of his original Spanish prose. I have discussed the books with a Spanish friend, and our understanding of the texts seems very close, so much credit to Ms Graves.
I realise I haven't haven't touched on plot, and I won't, because that is a great part of the joy in reading any book, but suffice to say, readers will not be disappointed in the twists & turns of The Midnight Palace, and a rattling good read will be had. It is a page turner, and if you start in the morning, you'll be finished at bedtime, even if you take breaks for meals and the toilet!
Enjoy. Then pre-order The September Lights!
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Welsh Annie
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Like so many others, I've loved Carlos Ruiz Zafon's adult books - Shadow of the Wind and Angel's Game would be in my all-time top ten. Prince of the Mist? Different target audience, but I liked it. But this one wasn't to my taste at all. As always, it's well written, well translated, atmospheric with strong characterisation - but the tale of magic, evil and mayhem with characters like the Secret Seven at its centre morphing into Deal or No Deal left me rather cold. I do think Disney would make a wonderful film out of it though. But it took me far longer to read than it should have, and didn't grip me at any stage. Just not one for me perhaps - I'm certainly not its intended audience, but I'm not sure what that was.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
characters are not developed enough for me
I was dissapointed with this book as it had the potential to be much better. Lots of it was unbelievable or unexplained e.g. Read more
Published 16 days ago by frances skipper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another fabulous read
Carlos Ruiz Zafon really does know how to tell a story. Absolutely gripping...again. Well worth buying, can't wait or another one.
Published 18 days ago by Gaynor Wood
2.0 out of 5 stars
It's a book for teens
Not at all what I expected. It's a kid's fantasy tale, not my thing at all... I'm slightly disappointed. :(
Published 27 days ago by Lynn19rni
5.0 out of 5 stars
exciting read
i have one of Zafon's books before and enjoyed it,so i thought i would try this one ....so glad i did , it was a good read
Published 1 month ago by JEAN BIRCH
4.0 out of 5 stars
CRZafon book
Have not read it yet so am unable to give a poper feedback. However will do so as soon as I have the time to read it!
Published 2 months ago by misswirral
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a writer
Signor Zafon never fails to please. This is a must read - even if only for the prose. I really loved this book. It says in the intro that the story is aimed at teenagers. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. T. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Adult Reader
I really enjoyed this book. I feel sure that my grand children will too as I will be introducing it to them.
Published 3 months ago by Angela Green
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE MIDNIGHT PALACE CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON
CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON.
THE MIDNIGHT PALACE
FROM FIRST WORD TILL LAST , MY ATTENTION WAS HELD.THE MOVEMENT OF THIS BOOK WAS CONTINUAL.LOOK FOREWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK.
THE MIDNIGHT PALACE
FROM FIRST WORD TILL LAST , MY ATTENTION WAS HELD.THE MOVEMENT OF THIS BOOK WAS CONTINUAL.LOOK FOREWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK.
Published 3 months ago by PIPPA'S MUM
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Midnight Palace
I am a great fan of Carlos Ruiz Zafron book's. He is such a wonderful story teller and this book did not disappoint.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. L. C. Davison
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still on form.
Zafon's novella continues in the similar vein of natural vs supernatural that seems to inspire his writing, and to great effect. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jon Cowling
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