The City of Mist: Stories
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-12-17 06:51:58
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- ISBN：1474623115
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Summary
The echo of the great characters and motifs of the novels of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series resonates in the stories of Carlos Ruiz Zafón。
A boy decides to become a writer when he discovers that his inventions hold the power to entice the rich girl who has stolen his heart。。。
An architect flees Constantinople with plans for an impregnable library。。。
A strange gentleman tempts Cervantes to write a book that has never existed。。。
And Gaudí， sailing to a mysterious rendezvous in New York， delights in a spectacle of light and steam， the stuff that cities should be made of。
Gathered here for the first time - and some never before published in English - these stories showcase the talents of Carlos Ruiz Zafón， a writer beloved by millions of readers and a master who has left us too soon。
A boy decides to become a writer when he discovers that his inventions hold the power to entice the rich girl who has stolen his heart。。。
An architect flees Constantinople with plans for an impregnable library。。。
A strange gentleman tempts Cervantes to write a book that has never existed。。。
And Gaudí， sailing to a mysterious rendezvous in New York， delights in a spectacle of light and steam， the stuff that cities should be made of。
Gathered here for the first time - and some never before published in English - these stories showcase the talents of Carlos Ruiz Zafón， a writer beloved by millions of readers and a master who has left us too soon。
Reviews
Mimi
，
A collection of stories， some short， some longer。 Some left me scratching my head and thinking: what was that all about？ I haven't read any of Zafón's books （and I now plan to） and I think some of these tales would have made more sense had I read those novels first first。 My favorite story was the one about Cervantes and Don Quixote （which I read in college years ago） and Zafón's take on Cervantes' "inspiration" for writing that novel。 A collection of stories， some short， some longer。 Some left me scratching my head and thinking: what was that all about？ I haven't read any of Zafón's books （and I now plan to） and I think some of these tales would have made more sense had I read those novels first first。 My favorite story was the one about Cervantes and Don Quixote （which I read in college years ago） and Zafón's take on Cervantes' "inspiration" for writing that novel。 。。。more
R。L。
，
English review below the Greek one。。。Να πω την αμαρτία μου; "Οικογένεια Σεμπέρε θα είστε πάντα δικοί μου άνθρωποι" γράφει ο ένας， "Νταβίντ θα είσαι πάντα μέρος της καρδιάς μου" γράφει η άλλη， "Αλίθια σ' αγαπώ" γράφει ο παράλλος， "Τι εξαιρετική πλοκή και τι χαρακτήρες" σχολιάζουν κάποιοι άλλοι。 Ε， λοιπόν προσωπικά θεωρώ ότι οι χαρακτήρες του Θαφόν είναι κλισέ και μονοδιάστατοι και τραβηγμένοι από τα μαλλιά， οι διάλογοι στα βιβλία του μέτριοι ενώ οι πλοκές αυτού καθεαυτού πολύ μέτριες και γεμάτες English review below the Greek one。。。Να πω την αμαρτία μου; "Οικογένεια Σεμπέρε θα είστε πάντα δικοί μου άνθρωποι" γράφει ο ένας， "Νταβίντ θα είσαι πάντα μέρος της καρδιάς μου" γράφει η άλλη， "Αλίθια σ' αγαπώ" γράφει ο παράλλος， "Τι εξαιρετική πλοκή και τι χαρακτήρες" σχολιάζουν κάποιοι άλλοι。 Ε， λοιπόν προσωπικά θεωρώ ότι οι χαρακτήρες του Θαφόν είναι κλισέ και μονοδιάστατοι και τραβηγμένοι από τα μαλλιά， οι διάλογοι στα βιβλία του μέτριοι ενώ οι πλοκές αυτού καθεαυτού πολύ μέτριες και γεμάτες υπερβολή。 Συχνά οι λύσεις των μυστηρίων έρχονται από εξομολογήσεις ή έμμεσα μέσω επιστολών κτλ και οι σχέσεις που αναπτύσσουν οι ήρωες μεταξύ τους δεν είναι αληθοφανείς。 Για την ακρίβεια， από όσα βιβλία του έχω διαβάσει， δεν θυμάμαι καν τις βασικές λεπτομέρειες στην πλοκή ή όλους τους χαρακτήρες。 Σοκ και δέος， ε; Κι όμως， ανακαλώ συγκεκριμένα στοιχεία της πλοκής ή των ηρώων και θα εξηγήσω παρακάτω τι σημαίνουν όλα αυτά。 Τον Θαφόν τον θεωρώ έναν πολύ αξιόλογο συγγραφέα που είχε κι άλλα να δώσει στη λογοτεχνία και τα βιβλία του μου αρέσανε πολύ παρά τα ελαττώματά τους。 Ακούγεται περίεργο μετά από όσο είπα πιο πάνω ίσως; Να εξηγηθώ λοιπόν。 Αυτό που τα έκανε γοητευτικά για 'μενα， ήταν οι άπειρες αναφορές και συνεκδηλώσεις με μυριάδες τρόπους σε ποικίλα είδη λογοτεχνίας， σε συγγραφείς και σε συγκεκριμένα έργα， κάποιες γενικότερες παρατηρήσεις πάνω στην ανθρώπινη φύση， όπως επίσης και οι περιγραφές του της Βαρκελώνης και των άλλων τοποθεσιών。 Και η γραφή του με τις περίτεχνες παρομοιώσεις， αν και κάποιες φορές πιο πολύ "φορτωμένη" από όσο χριεαζόταν。 Αλλά το κυριότερο， με όλα τα παραπάνω και με άλλα που δεν μπορώ να εξηγήσω， η ατμόσφαιρα των βιβλίων του。Με έναν μαγικό τρόπο σε μετέφερε στον δικό του κόσμο και αυτός ο δικός του κόσμος σου δημιουργούσε έντονα συναισθήματα。 Αυτό ήταν το βασικό του προτέρημα κατά τη γνώμη μου και όλα τα άλλα σχόλια είναι υπερβολές που απορρέουν από αυτό。 Με έναν τρόπο δύσκολο να περιγραφεί， ο Θαφόν δημιουργούσε σύνδεση με τον αναγνώστη μέσω συναισθήματος κι ατμόσφαιρας。 Για αυτό μπορεί να ανακαλέσω πιο εύκολα μία αναφορά ή ένα σημείο στο έργο του που ανακαλεί συνεκδοχικά πιο εύκολα για εμένα την ατμόσφαιρα και το συναίσθημα。 Για αυτό πιστεύω ότι και "Η Πόλη της Καταχνιάς" παίρνει τόσο καλές κριτικές。Για να μη μακρυγορώ， αυτή είναι μία συλλογή μικρών ιστοριών που συνδέονται άμεσα ή έμμεσα κυρίως με το σύμπαν του Κοιμητηρίου των Λησμονημένων Βιβλίων。 Αυτόνομα， κάποιες ιστορίες είναι πιο ολοκληρωμένες και πιο θελκτικές από άλλες。 Σε κάποιες υπάρχει χώρος να ξεδιπλώσει ο συγγραφέας το ταλέντο του και να φιάξει ατμόσφαιρα， ενώ σε κάποιες άλλες όχι τόσο。 Αν δεν είχα διαβάσει άλλα έργα του συγγραφέα， πιστεύω θα μου άρεσε η συλλογή， αλλά ως εκεί。 Ωστόσο και μόνο η αναφορά σε πρόσωπα ή καταστάσεις από τα προηγούμενα έργα του Θαφόν ή μία φράση που μπορεί να σου θυμίσει κάτι από αυτά， κυρίως το πως αισθάνθηκες όταν διάβασες την τάδε σκηνή ή τον δείνα χαρακτήρα， είναι ικανή να πυροδοτήσει όλα αυτά τα συναισθήματα από την αρχή。 Να ξεδιαβάσω ότι έχω ήδη διαβάσει δε γίνεται， για αυτό και η συλλογή μου ήταν απολαυστική。Τι άλλο να πω; Αν δεν έχετε ξαναδιαβάσει το συγκεκριμένο συγγραφέα， ίσως δεν είναι το κατάλληλο βιβλίο για να αρχίσετε。 Αν πάλι σας είναι οικείος και σας άρεσε， τότε βεβαίως και να το επιλέξετε。On my opinion Zafón's books featured characters that were cliche and one dimentional， the dialogues were often too artificial and weird， his plots were full of hyperbole and often the conclusions to a story were coming indirectly through say a secret diary or a lost letter or a confession coming out of the blue。 The way his characters often bonded was surreal and too farfetched too。 To be precise， I don't think I can recall most of his book characters or his books' plots other than very vaguely。 I can recall specific characters or parts or minor points of his books though。The above comments might sound weird at first， so let me explain: I think he was a unique author and he could have write many more great books if he'd live longer。 I liked his books very much。 His language， full of flowery metaphors was too much sometimes， but it was attractive non the less。 He used to make all kind of connotations， references and nods to all kind of literature genres， authors and specific books in all kind of ways。 He often offered all kind of observations on human nature too。 His descriptions of Barcelona and the other settings was excellent。 But his stronger point of all， maybe a combination of the above and much more， is the AMBIANCE。He had a unique ability to transfer the reader inside his own "world" and this world was full of feelings。 This is his main winning point and skill on my opinion and all other praise originates in reality from this plain fact。 I'm not a writer my self to explain this better， but Zafon on his own magic way could establish a strong connection with his readers through ambiance and feeling。 This is why it might be easier to me to recall certain incidents and scenes of his books， or a specific moment on a plot， or a phrase or a character。 Because in turn I recall the impact and the feeling coming with them。 And I think this is why this short stories' collection is rated so high。These stories are linked - some on a strong way， some on a weaker/more subtle one- to the universe of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books。 Reading them independently， as it usually happens with a collection of short stories， some of them would have feel more compelling and more captivating than others。 The author had space to create an ambiance and a decent plot in some of them， but not all。 I think this would be a collection that I would have liked in general， but that's it。 Now that I can't erase from my memory the other books from this author though， some simple reference， a person or a single word in this collection might recall his previous works or parts of them and open up all kind of feelings and thoughts again。This is why reading these stories was a bliss！ What more can I say？ If you haven't read this author， this isn't the place to start。 If you've read his works before and liked them， then yes， do read this！ 。。。more
Doriene Boezelman
，
Erg mooie verhalen， passend bij de verhalen rondom Schaduw van de wind。 De verhalen binnen Inferno zou ik niet lezen voor het slapen gaan。。。
Mireia Torres
，
No es mucho mi estilo y me ha costado terminarlo
Mark
，
short but good in the usual Zafon way
Samuel Gee
，
highly entertaining even if all the stories are the same （once upon a time， in the mysterious， old， cobwebbed， mist-shrouded city of Barcelona… I saw the most beautiful woman… and then the devil appeared… the end）
Braulio Mago
，
La forma de narrar y， sobre todo， de contar historias de Zafón siempre es espectacular。 Ideas originales y bien llevadas con escenarios perfectamente visibles。 Lo mejor es que en la mayoría de estos cuentos nos encontramos con viejos personajes de sus novelas。
Soraya Zavala
，
Una hermosura de cuentos lastima que fueron los últimos
Yash Wadhwani
，
I can tell you about the first time I met Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 I had just failed my driver's test and 'The Shadow Of The Wind' - sitting unread and unknown in my drawer - rescued me。 It was like a fantasy character that takes you on an epic journey。 I can tell you about the ecstasy with which I read the novel， a high that made me burn through it's 400+ pages in 3 nights。 I can tell you about the second time I met Carlos。 I was waiting on a date with the most beautiful girl from my university。 Unbe I can tell you about the first time I met Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 I had just failed my driver's test and 'The Shadow Of The Wind' - sitting unread and unknown in my drawer - rescued me。 It was like a fantasy character that takes you on an epic journey。 I can tell you about the ecstasy with which I read the novel， a high that made me burn through it's 400+ pages in 3 nights。 I can tell you about the second time I met Carlos。 I was waiting on a date with the most beautiful girl from my university。 Unbeknownst to me， she was going to stand me up。 To suppress my awareness of time and anxiety， I went to wait in The Dubai Mall’s Kinokuniya book shop。 There， in the deep recesses of warmly lit shelves that made the books look like baked goods， 'The Angel's Game' awaited me。 “A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story。 He will never forget the sweet poison of vanity in his blood and the belief that， if he succeeds in not letting anyone discover his lack of talent， the dream of literature will provide him with a roof over his head， a hot meal at the end of the day， and what he covets the most: his name printed on a miserable piece of paper that surely will outlive him。 A writer is condemned to remember that moment， because from then on he is doomed and his soul has a price。” That is the first paragraph of 'The Angel's Game。' Needless to say， I had forgotten all about the girl and looked forward to another trip through Zafón's Barcelona of gothic mystery。I can tell you about the third time I was actually going to meet Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 I was in Dubai Festival City doing a job that was ill-suited to anyone with a death wish for literary recognition。 I wandered to one of the exhibition halls。 There， coincidentally， they were preparing for The Emirates Literature Festival。 I picked up an informational pamphlet and amongst bios and images of it’s unknown speakers， was the picture of my hero。 Round bookish glasses。 An alcoholic’s beard。 Breathlessly， I ran to the ticket counter。 “I know this is last minute。 But I need a ticket。 I need to see Carlos Ruiz Zafón。” If my memory serves me right， they were going to charge me 800 AED （218 USD）。 I didn’t care。 I felt like I were paying for a plane ride to the promise land。 Just when I had my debt card out， “Sir， we’re sorry to inform you but， Señor Zafón will not be attending The Emirates Literature Festival。”I was a balloon。 30，000 ft above the ground。 And a pigeon had just shat on me。 “Oh。 May I ask why？” The receptionist’s brown eyes contained sincere anguish。 “He has cancelled due to health reasons。” I can tell you about the moment a black hole opened in my heart。 I went on Book Depository to buy more books than I was going to read。 There， a small blog preview showing a black and white photograph stated，“Carlos Ruiz Zafón， author of ‘The Shadow of The Wind’ & ‘The Angel’s Game’ has passed away due to colon cancer。 1964 - 2020 （aged 55）。” I can tell you about ‘The City of Mist。’ Released posthumously in November 2021， it’s the last thing Carlos Ruiz Zafón will ever publish。 It’s the last new-fiction I’ll ever read from him。 It's a good collection of short stories。 Readers of his four ‘Cemetery Of Forgotten Books’ （#1 The Shadow Of The Wind， #2 The Angel’s Game， #3 The Prisoner Of Heaven， #4 The Labyrinth Of Spirits） will receive 7-star fan service。 But I think the most important thing to tell you is this:Carlos Ruiz Zafón is my favorite writer。 Dead。 Living。 It doesn't matter。 He was not perfect。Some of his writing is too cheesy。 Some of his writing - in our awareness of female objectification - has aged。 But none of it， not a single word of it， was filled with anything but joy。He did good work。 Not through charity。 Not through advocacy。 But through writing four books that are filled to the brim with romance。 The romance of life。 The romance of art。 The romance of writing， reading， and literature。 Reading Carlos Ruiz Zafón is like watching a balmy sunset melting over a vivacious ocean。 Reading Carlos Ruiz Zafón is like playing the best film in the projection room of your mind。 A film of plots and sub plots。 A film of light and direction that gives Citizen Kane a run for it’s money。 A film of characters that you wish the real world was good enough for。Carlos Ruiz Zafón shows you Barcelona。 The city as tourists see it。 The city as survivors of it’s gruesome history see it。 The city as a playground for gothic architecture and hard-boiled phantoms。 Carlos Ruiz Zafón is the real grand master。 A master of novels。 A master of stories。 An engineer of tales that could supersede the best that cinema， video games， sport， TV， or whatever comes next， could offer。 Maybe that's why， despite monetary interests exceeding 7 figures， Zafón put into his will that ‘The Cemetery Of Forgotten Books’ will never be adapted to another medium。There will never be another Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 There will never be another Carlos Ruiz Zafón novel。 And this is why I envy those who have yet to read ‘The Shadow Of The Wind’ & ‘The Angel's Game。’ Joy awaits them。 The 20th century gothic skyline of Barcelona awaits them。 Crimson clouds scudded across abashed skies， a secret labyrinthine library of books that the world wanted to burn， and a mysterious Parisian publisher， who wears an angel shaped brooch in his lapel， and a faustian pact on his tongue， it all awaits them。 。。。more
Arb
，
A beautiful collection of short stories， in which a Zafón reader， can feel his presence in every sentence， specifically in the masterful description of places， especially Barcelona。
Eva Rose
，
Ένα ακόμα όμορφο Βίβλο από τον αγαπημένο μου συγγραφέα。 Η πόλη της καταχνιας είναι ένα βιβλίο που αποτελείται από έντεκα διηγήματα， όλα βυθισμένα σε μια καταθλιπτική， γοτθική πένα που υπόσχεται εξαιρετικές ιστορίες και πλοκή。 Κάποια από τα διηγήματα που ξεχώρισα είναι τα : " Η Μπλάνκα και το αντίο" ， "Δίχως όνομα" ， " Μια Δεσποινίδα από την Βαρκελώνη " ， "Ο Πρίγκιπας του Παρνασσού" ， " Η γυναίκα της καταχνιάς"。 Ένα ακόμα όμορφο Βίβλο από τον αγαπημένο μου συγγραφέα。 Η πόλη της καταχνιας είναι ένα βιβλίο που αποτελείται από έντεκα διηγήματα， όλα βυθισμένα σε μια καταθλιπτική， γοτθική πένα που υπόσχεται εξαιρετικές ιστορίες και πλοκή。 Κάποια από τα διηγήματα που ξεχώρισα είναι τα : " Η Μπλάνκα και το αντίο" ， "Δίχως όνομα" ， " Μια Δεσποινίδα από την Βαρκελώνη " ， "Ο Πρίγκιπας του Παρνασσού" ， " Η γυναίκα της καταχνιάς"。 。。。more
anna louise
，
the fact that Ruiz Zafón translated & even wrote some of these in English just proves once and for all what a true literary and language genius he was。 these stories but most of all his words will always have a special place in my heart。 as per usual， these were confusing， mystical， dark， creepy， brutal， heartfelt and detailed all at once。 although I would have wished for them to be just the slightest bit more organized & direct。 more settled into the Cemetery of Forgotten Books， but I can see h the fact that Ruiz Zafón translated & even wrote some of these in English just proves once and for all what a true literary and language genius he was。 these stories but most of all his words will always have a special place in my heart。 as per usual， these were confusing， mystical， dark， creepy， brutal， heartfelt and detailed all at once。 although I would have wished for them to be just the slightest bit more organized & direct。 more settled into the Cemetery of Forgotten Books， but I can see how that wasn’t the point of these stories。 。。。more
Steve Cushman
，
A final book， of short stories， by one of my favorite authors。
Amity Kirby
，
It saddens me to realize this is the last book I will read by Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 That there will be no new stories about the Cemetery of Forgotten Books。 That if I want to revisit those streets of Barcelona and those mysterious characters I will have to go back and read the books already written and imagine what more there could have been。
María José Prieto López
，
Decepción es la palabra。 Me quedo con muy mal sabor de boca sabiendo que este ha sido el último libro de uno de mis escritores preferidos。 Cuentos sin sentido， aburridos， largos o sin chispa。 Solo lo han publicado tras su muerte porque sabían que lo íbamos a comprar。
Hadi Ariyan
，
هَذَا الكِتَاب هوَ أولُ تَجرِبَةً ليَ مَعَ الكَاتب الأسبَاني المَشهور كارلوس زافون، الذي اكتَسَبَ شُهرَتَه بينَ القُراء بِاللغة العَرَبية بِربَاعِيتَه الرِوَائِية "مَقبَرَةْ الكُتب المَنْسِية"。أنَا مِن عشَاق المَجْمُوعَات القَصَصية، ومن رأيي هيَ أفضَلُ طَريقَةً لِمَعرِفَة كَيْفَ يُمكِن للمُؤلف أن يُبرزَ نَفسه على أنه كَاتِبٌ بِرؤى مُختَلِفة وصَاحِب عَقلِية رِوائية。لكن للأسف كِتَاب مَدينةٌ مِن بُخار لم يكن كِتابً عظيمً أو حتى جيدً。 الكتاب يحوي على أحد عشر قصة قصيرة، ثلاثة فقط كانوا جيدين، وأثنين هَذَا الكِتَاب هوَ أولُ تَجرِبَةً ليَ مَعَ الكَاتب الأسبَاني المَشهور كارلوس زافون، الذي اكتَسَبَ شُهرَتَه بينَ القُراء بِاللغة العَرَبية بِربَاعِيتَه الرِوَائِية "مَقبَرَةْ الكُتب المَنْسِية"。أنَا مِن عشَاق المَجْمُوعَات القَصَصية، ومن رأيي هيَ أفضَلُ طَريقَةً لِمَعرِفَة كَيْفَ يُمكِن للمُؤلف أن يُبرزَ نَفسه على أنه كَاتِبٌ بِرؤى مُختَلِفة وصَاحِب عَقلِية رِوائية。لكن للأسف كِتَاب مَدينةٌ مِن بُخار لم يكن كِتابً عظيمً أو حتى جيدً。 الكتاب يحوي على أحد عشر قصة قصيرة، ثلاثة فقط كانوا جيدين، وأثنين كانوا لا بس بهم، وستة قصص كانت سيئة وبعضها سيئ جداً。الترجمة كانت جيدة جداً لكن كارلوس زافون أفرطَ في استخدام المعاني الشاعرية الكثيرة لوصف شيً أو شخص، ولا يدعى المجال لِمُخَيلة القارئ في رَسم صورةً عن الأحداث。جميع القصص تدور في أسبانيا، تحديدً في مدينة برشلونة على أزمنة وعصور مختلفة من تاريخ هذه المدينة。 وهذا لم يزد شيءً في أي قصة بِأستثنَاء قصة "وردةُ النَار"。جميع القصص تمتاز بأسلوب عدم الالتزام بالتسلسُل في الأحداث، فتارةً ترى زافون يتحدث في هذا الحدث وتارةً يَتَحَدث في حدثً آخر دون أي مُراعاة للقارئ。للأسف كانَ في نِياتي أن أقرأ رُبَاعِية "مَقبَرَة الكُتب المَنْسِية"، لَكن بعدَ هَذه التَجرِبة لا أظنُ أنني سَوفَ أستثمر الوقت فيها。 。。。more
Chris
，
Wow。 What a gift from beyond the grave。 To think he wrote these knowing he would not live to see their publishing。 Eleven stories。 We meet several generations of the Sempere family from his The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series as well as Gaudi and Cervantes。 Angels， devils， ghosts， whores， and violent men who mastered killing during the Spanish Civil War are here as well as poets， the poor， the unlucky， and the have it alls。 Creepy， alluring， enticing， unrequited。 A short sweet treat to be sav Wow。 What a gift from beyond the grave。 To think he wrote these knowing he would not live to see their publishing。 Eleven stories。 We meet several generations of the Sempere family from his The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series as well as Gaudi and Cervantes。 Angels， devils， ghosts， whores， and violent men who mastered killing during the Spanish Civil War are here as well as poets， the poor， the unlucky， and the have it alls。 Creepy， alluring， enticing， unrequited。 A short sweet treat to be savored。 What a loss to storytelling。 。。。more
Hussain Kadhem
，
في روائعه الأربع التي أطلق عليها عنوانا موحدا （مقبرة الكتب المنسية）، وأعني، بالترتيب حسب الصدور: ظل الريح- لعبة الملاك- سجين السماء- متاهة الأرواح، كان كارلوس زافون قد بنى عالمًا متكاملًا من الأجواء البوليسية التي تأخذ بألباب القارئ وتأسر أنفاسه حتى النهاية。 وما زاد من رباعيته فوق عظمتها عظمة، وفوق روعتها روعة وفوق جمالها جمالا، علاوةً على رسائلها التي تجلت أوضح ما تجلت في "متاهة الأرواح"، لهو البناء العميق جدا، إلى حد الإدهاش، للشخصيات التي صاغ منها زافون روائعه！ دانيال سيمبيري، فيرمين روميرو د في روائعه الأربع التي أطلق عليها عنوانا موحدا （مقبرة الكتب المنسية）، وأعني، بالترتيب حسب الصدور: ظل الريح- لعبة الملاك- سجين السماء- متاهة الأرواح، كان كارلوس زافون قد بنى عالمًا متكاملًا من الأجواء البوليسية التي تأخذ بألباب القارئ وتأسر أنفاسه حتى النهاية。 وما زاد من رباعيته فوق عظمتها عظمة، وفوق روعتها روعة وفوق جمالها جمالا، علاوةً على رسائلها التي تجلت أوضح ما تجلت في "متاهة الأرواح"، لهو البناء العميق جدا، إلى حد الإدهاش، للشخصيات التي صاغ منها زافون روائعه！ دانيال سيمبيري، فيرمين روميرو دي توريس، خوليان كاراكس، دافيد مارتين، أليثيا، المحقق فوميرو。。 إلخ، جميعها شخصيات مبنية بعمق لا يبعث بالقارئ إلا على الاندهاش والحيرة！ سحرٌ جبّارٌ من زافون، في عمق بناء شخصياته。 ولعل هذا هو أكثر وأكبر عامل كان يمدّه بالقدرة على صياغة قصص أخرى، اشتقاقا من رباعيته العظيمة。 وهذا أيضا مما يجعل قرّاءه في ظمأ مستمر أيضا، لكل ما قد يخطه قلمه العبقري، اشتقاقا من رباعيته。هذه الأعمال القصصية التي كتبها زافون وجُمِعت في هذا الكتاب، تلبي ما قد يتطلع إليه قرّاء الرباعية، الذين لم يكتفوا من روعتها。 وعن نفسي، فإن معظم هذه القصص قد كانت عند حسن ظني، بينما بعضها كانت مخيبة لأملي وتطلّعي。 أزعجني مثلا، في قصة "وردة النار"، إقحامه لخرافات وأعاجيب، في سياق تاريخ مقبرة الكتب المنسية، ما وجدته غير لائق أبدا بطبيعة الرباعية نفسها！ما هو رائع في الرباعية بحق، لهو الحس الواقعي- التاريخي الذي كُتِبَت فيه، والمفعم بالأجواء البوليسية الملعونة والمشوقة جدا في الوقت ذاته。 ولكنّ ما وجدته في القصة المذكورة آنفا -قصة وردة النار-، لهو شطط عن تلك الطبيعة، وانحرافٌ إلى الحس العجائبي الخرافاتيّ المعاجزي، بطريقة فجّة！ دمعة المسيح الباقية منذ مئات السنين التي كادت أن تفني الأرض ومن عليها، وقطرة من دماء التنين الأخير -وهراء من هذا القبيل！-، وجدت في ذلك شططا كبيرا عن أجواء رباعية مقبرة الكتب المنسية وطبيعتها، وقد أزعجني ذلك。 ولا أخفي أن هذه القصة ذكرتني بأفلام إنديانا جونز، التي مزج فيها المخرج وطاقمه بين علم الأحافير والأعاجيب اليهو-مسيحية، بشكل فج ومشوق أيضا، تماما كما فعل زافون، في هذه الرواية، عدا أنه حشر الأعاجيب في تاريخ مقبرة الكتب المنسية، بدلا من حشرها بعلم الأحافير والآثار كما في أفلام إنديانا جونز！ ناهيك عن قصة أخرى أيضا، يقحم فيها ميغيل دي ثربانتس، صاحب "دون كيخوته"، الرواية التي تُعرف بأنها أول رواية في الأدب الحديث، في تاريخ مقبرة الكتب المنسيرة وشخصياتها، كشخصية الجد الأكبر الأكبر لعائلة سيمبيري، الذي يلتقي بثربانتس （ولكني لا أخفي أنني استمتعت بهذه القصة وأعجبت بها، وإن وجدتُ فيها شططا عن مقبرة الكتب المنسية）。ولكن، ورغم كل شيء، يبقى زافون هو زافون، ساحر السرد والتشويق العظيم。 وقد قلتها، وأقولها مجددا: مشاعر مختلطة كانت تراودني أثناء قراءة هذا الكتاب: فرح بمحتواه واستمتاع، وأسف لكونه الكتاب الأخير الذي أقرأه لزافون！ ومجددا أيضا: أتمنى لو أنه عمّر أكثر وكتب أكثر، لأرتوي من سرده دوما ودون انقطاع。 وألف تحية بالطبع، للمترجم الكبير معاوية عبدالمجيد، على ترجماته الساحرة، الفصيحة والبليغة لروائع زافون。 。。。more
Bret Praxmarer
，
I was tempted to say that this book disappointed me， but then realized the disappointment came because there was not more of it。 I wanted so much more from Zafon's last book。 I wanted something sweeping and epic like his novels， but this is a short story collection and only 160 pages。 Some of the stories here do contain the same magic and beautiful story-telling that made Zafon one of my favorite writers of all time。 "Rose of Fire" is probably my favorite in the collection。 It is beautiful and h I was tempted to say that this book disappointed me， but then realized the disappointment came because there was not more of it。 I wanted so much more from Zafon's last book。 I wanted something sweeping and epic like his novels， but this is a short story collection and only 160 pages。 Some of the stories here do contain the same magic and beautiful story-telling that made Zafon one of my favorite writers of all time。 "Rose of Fire" is probably my favorite in the collection。 It is beautiful and haunting as is Zafon writing when he is at his best。 The last 6 stories were all excellent。If you are a fan of Zafon， this is a must read as it allows a last glimpse into the world of the novels he wrote。 Some familiar faces and places appear in the stories， but as I said， I wanted more。 The idea that these are the last of Zafon's stories fills me with sadness。 He was more than a writer， he was a magical story-teller。 。。。more
Karen Voitik
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>Book Review – The City of Mist>I am an independent reviewer。 This book is a collection of short stories in the same setting as the “Shadow of the Wind” series。 Some of the same characters have short story glimpses into their lives。 The atmosphere in this collection is gothic and the stories vary in length and weirdness。 Some of the stories did not make sense to me。 The stories covered death， ghosts， love and books。>This book is appropriate for an adult audience。 There was a surprisingly high am >Book Review – The City of Mist>I am an independent reviewer。 This book is a collection of short stories in the same setting as the “Shadow of the Wind” series。 Some of the same characters have short story glimpses into their lives。 The atmosphere in this collection is gothic and the stories vary in length and weirdness。 Some of the stories did not make sense to me。 The stories covered death， ghosts， love and books。>This book is appropriate for an adult audience。 There was a surprisingly high amount of eroticism。 I am giving this book 4 stars。 The author meant for this collection to be publish posthumously。 I am sad the author will no longer be creating such vivid stories using the written word。 He really had a gift for the written word。 。。。more
Terry Simpson
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A very interesting novellaI read the synopsis of the book and it intrigued me from start to finish。 Okay perhaps a little macabre in part and lacking in alliteration （which works） but a fascinating read and an insight into the mind of Zafon。 In parts it is reminiscent of Lovecraft but the language is superb and so descriptive。 Definitely worth a read。
Becky S
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The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books of all time， so I was thrilled to receive this book of short stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 This collection of stories was prepared by him to be published posthumously。 Zafón’s writing is somehow both dark and hopeful。 Although the stories are each standalone pieces， there are loose connections weaving them together， including references to characters， the backdrop of Barcelona and the mist。 Reading these stories makes me wish I was wandering the The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books of all time， so I was thrilled to receive this book of short stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafón。 This collection of stories was prepared by him to be published posthumously。 Zafón’s writing is somehow both dark and hopeful。 Although the stories are each standalone pieces， there are loose connections weaving them together， including references to characters， the backdrop of Barcelona and the mist。 Reading these stories makes me wish I was wandering the streets of Barcelona。 If you liked The Shadow of the Wind， I highly recommend this book。 If you haven’t read The Shadow of Wind， I highly recommend both！Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book。 。。。more
Iga
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I cannot be objective about this book， I just love the author and his style。 Even in darkest descriptions you can see the beauty。
Lecturas De
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Hoy quiero que me contéis que opináis del último libro que se publicó hace poco de @zafonoficial publicado por @editorialplaneta¿Os gusto？ ¿Habéis sentido al autor o sin embargo no os ha gustado tanto？ Yo debo decir que es el único libro del autor que no me ha cautivado， me costó leerlo。
Carol Carpenter
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Loved the stories No other author can pull me into a story like Zafon。 I have read everything he has written in English 。 I was so saddened to learn of his passing。 I will read all of the books again starting with Shadow of the wind。 I was fortunate enough to meet him at a book signing。 Carlos Ruiz Zafon will be missed
Angela M
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I’ve only read The Shadow of the Wind，the first book in The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafon， but after reading this beautifully written collection of his stories， I know I should read the others。 There’s an aura of mystery around some of the stories here。 There are stories about stories， about storytellers， about books， about the connections people make to them and to each other。 Others are about love lost。 Some are eerie and sad， yet lovely at the same time 。 There’s a f I’ve only read The Shadow of the Wind，the first book in The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Carlos Ruiz Zafon， but after reading this beautifully written collection of his stories， I know I should read the others。 There’s an aura of mystery around some of the stories here。 There are stories about stories， about storytellers， about books， about the connections people make to them and to each other。 Others are about love lost。 Some are eerie and sad， yet lovely at the same time 。 There’s a fun one about Cervantes that was my favorite， with a prediction。 “One day you’ll write a masterpiece， Cervantes”…This is a gift to fans of Zafon who passed away in 2020。 I received a copy of this book from Harper Perennial through Edelweiss。 。。。more
Samuel Bonilla Fornés
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Al terminar de leer la última linea una sensación de vacío inunda al lector sabiendo que jamás volverá a leer nada más nuevo de este Genio。 Larga vida a sus novelas y a su memoria。 Sensacional como siempre。
GCImma
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Es difícil tratar al libro como un todo al estar compuesto de diferentes relatos， así que me limitaré a decir que hay relatos maravillosos y otros que te dejan más bien frío。 Una cosa que sí que me parece llamativa es el abuso que hay de la figura literaria de la mujer joven， núbil， seductora y， por supuesto， más hermosa que los ángeles。 Esto llega al punto en que es un tropo que parece repetirse en la gran mayoría de los relatos y llega a hacerse hasta incómodo el sinfín de hombres adultos prot Es difícil tratar al libro como un todo al estar compuesto de diferentes relatos， así que me limitaré a decir que hay relatos maravillosos y otros que te dejan más bien frío。 Una cosa que sí que me parece llamativa es el abuso que hay de la figura literaria de la mujer joven， núbil， seductora y， por supuesto， más hermosa que los ángeles。 Esto llega al punto en que es un tropo que parece repetirse en la gran mayoría de los relatos y llega a hacerse hasta incómodo el sinfín de hombres adultos protagonistas encandilados por mujeres preciosas que a penas han dejado la adolescencia atrás。En todo caso， es un libro que si eres seguidor de Zafón es obligatorio leer。 。。。more
Peter Grimbeek
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This is a delightful book。 The stories sweep along on a current halfway human and halfway supernatural。 The language is succulent to say the least。
Hassan kachkach
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