The Midnight Palace (Adult Cover)
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Review
It's fast-moving and never hesitates, and it quickly sketches the eight young people who inhabit its pages as quirky and likeable individuals, from the taciturn artist, Michael, to the fiery and intelligent Isobel. It's also a story about stories: tales from the past are woven into the narrative in an elegant way, with the whole book framed by the narrative of the last surviving member of the group. (THE GUARDIAN )
...if you have a taste for mystery, for the supernatural, for characters of mythic strength, loyalty and heroism... then pick this book up and revel in it. (ARMADILLO )
Zafon's young adult fiction was published in Spain long before he became an international sensation, and its fascinating to see, in his second book, premonitory glimpses of The Shadow of the Wind. ..Zafon makes it look so easy but he's in a class of his own (Suzi Feay FINANCIAL TIMES )
A beautiful, haunting and atmospheric tale imbued with the scent of the shady alleyways of Calcutta and a foreboding of tragedy. (Good Book Guide March ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
...if you have a taste for mystery, for the supernatural, for characters of mythic strength, loyalty and heroism... then pick this book up and revel in it. (ARMADILLO )
Zafon's young adult fiction was published in Spain long before he became an international sensation, and its fascinating to see, in his second book, premonitory glimpses of The Shadow of the Wind. ..Zafon makes it look so easy but he's in a class of his own (Suzi Feay FINANCIAL TIMES )
A beautiful, haunting and atmospheric tale imbued with the scent of the shady alleyways of Calcutta and a foreboding of tragedy. (Good Book Guide March ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Book Description
From the author of THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, the haunting story of a secret society and a labyrinthine railway station with a dark past.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 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!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
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!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A puzzled enjoyment.
I have read most of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books to date and have enjoyed them immensely. Although very well written with an excellent flow (the translator must take some praise for... Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. B. Jackson
Exciting
This was a departure from Zafon's previous two books The Shadow of the Wind and the Angels Game. I was expecting something similar but the story turned out to be a set in India not... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Roberto
The Midnight Palace
Calcutta May 1916, a British officer runs through the streets seeking refuge not for him but for the newborn babies he carries with them. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Moonlit
Ghostly story that does not reconcile its elements
The story starts in May 1916 in Calcutta with newborn twin babies being chased by a murderer and ending up being separated when their mother is murdered. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Millions
disapointing
I read this book as a member of a book club. I thought it began better than it ended and whilst there were some real moments of beautful descriptive writing, those moments were... Read more
Published 4 months ago by read/between/the/wines
Not great-just my opnion
Having absolutely loved 'The Shadow of the wind' and his other books, I am extremely disappointed with 'The Midnight Palace. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Cat
The Midnight Palace
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the works of Carlos Ruiz Zafon which have been published in English. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mo 9
Not as good as the others!
I have to say that I was a bit disapointed in this book. I was so looking forward to reading it and saved it to read when on holiday. Read more
Published 10 months ago by L M Iles
Entertaining but lightweight
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the Prince of Mist. The main ideas in the plot, the characters and the relationships between them veer drastically between subtle and... Read more
Published 10 months ago by James Harper
amazing book
as always Carlos Ruiz Zafon created an amazing story, an amazing book for all the ages. You have to read it.
Published 10 months ago by manos
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