The Angel's Game

The Angel's GameDark Novel of SpainBook Review

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

A strange, foreboding and complex tale of kidnapping, duplicity, crooked police, murder and intrigue with an ample shot of devils and a gothic universe that encompasses eternal life, witchcraft, a cemetery of forgotten books and spiritual benefactors. It is about a troubled writer, David Martin and his strange struggle with his art and his destiny in Barcelona 1917 -1930. He is a common man of no established family who has only one wealthy friend, Pedro Vidal who assists him endlessly out of guilt. Christina, his one true love throughout the book, is Pedro’s chauffeur’s daughter, who is good for considerable heartache. David a workaholic experiences numerous strange life-changing occurrences.

He begins his writing career as a journalist, graduates to anonymous but successful crime pulp fiction and then writes his first and last novel as well as ghost writing one for his friend Pedro Vidal, whose ability is failing, unbeknownst to him. David is wrenched back from death’s brink to embark on writing a book that will change the world for a mysterious wealthy publisher from France. He acquires a strange tower house that is haunted by an unusual history, which entangles him entirely. David is blessed with a young writing assistant, Isabella who struggles to keep him sane.

The cemetery of forgotten books is probably the most intriguing concept of the book. The location of which is apparently only known to avid bookman like Senor Sempere of the renowned Sempere and Sons Bookshop. He is David’s oldest friend and supporter who ultimately divulges its secret to him. The pace is baroque, deliberate and intricate until the last sixty pages when it flies with action, murders, escapes and suspense.

Zafon, Carlos Ruiz, The Angle’s Game Doubleday Press: New York. 2009. 531 pages.

© 2009 by Duncan L, Dieterly. All rights reserved