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Book of the month

Join Carlos Ruiz Zafon to talk about THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN, May's Book of the Month on TUESDAY 4 JUNE, 9-10pm

103 replies

TillyBookClub · 17/04/2013 11:53

Carlos Ruiz Zafon is the author of six novels, that have been published in more than 40 different languages. THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, the global phenomenon published in 2005, sold 1.5 million copies in the UK alone. Our May Book of the Month, THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN, is the sequel. It is 1957, Daniel is now married with a child, and Fermin Romero de Torres is preparing for his own marriage to Bernada. But Fermin's mysterious past is preparing to return, when a stranger leaves him a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo with a strange inscription. The story then moves back to the late 1930s, unlocking the mystery of Fermin?s imprisonment in the notorious Montjuic prison, where he meets fellow inmate David Martin, a writer whose storytelling and schizophrenic episodes have given him the nickname Prisoner of Heaven.

Zafon has created his own Gothic version of Barcelona, where real events and odd magic combine. There are links back and forth to the other two novels in the 'Cemetery of Forgotten Books' cycle, but Zafon has ensured that each also stands alone, and can be read in any order. Whether you are already a Zafon-ophile or this is your first encounter, it is easy to become fully immersed in the rollicking adventure.

You can find more details on our May book of the month page. You can buy the novel in paperback or, if you're eager to get started, a Kindle version.

Find out more at the English Zafon website or watch trailers and download extracts from all the 'Forgotten Books' cycle at the official Zafon website (most of it also translated into English).

Or if you are fairly proficient in Spanish, you can follow him on Twitter: @ZafonOficial

We are thrilled that Carlos will be answering questions about THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN, as well as THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, his other books and his extraordinary career on this thread on Tuesday 4 June, 9-10pm. So please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month and then come and meet the author. Hope you can join us...

OP posts:
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amapola · 20/04/2013 21:40

I cant wait to read this one.

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ShadeMumsnet · 26/04/2013 11:36

All the free copies of The Prisoner of Heaven have now gone.

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RachelMumsnet · 01/05/2013 10:11

We've heard back from the publishers that the books have been delayed at the warehouse but should be sent out in the next couple of days. We're going to email all those who have been allocated books later today so if you haven't received an email by the end of day, buy Prisoner of Heaven here and join in the May bookclub chat. It's a pacy book and will have you gripped, so you should have plenty of time to read before the discussion with Carlos which takes place on Tuesday 4 June beween 9-10pm

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HazelDormouse · 02/05/2013 14:01

Rather surprised to receive a copy of the novel in the post today, especially as I had not received an email yesterday. Looking forward to reading it. Thank you.

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Mems · 02/05/2013 18:42

Embarrassed DD2 & DS1 no end by running round kitchen screeching "I've got a free book" "I've got a free book" in front of their friends! My life is, apparently, officially sad if a free book merits such excitement. DH, on other hand, is muttering that if a free book is all it takes to make me so excited he'd have used up all our Waterstones points months ago!! Looking forward to a long bath and a good read! Thank you Mumsnet!

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NigelMolesworth · 02/05/2013 19:18


Thank you Mumsnet.
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gazzalw · 03/05/2013 10:44

How did I miss that this was coming up as a book of the month??? Disappointed...Sad

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Kyrptonite · 03/05/2013 17:11

Ooh he's my favourite author. Nothing had topped Shadow of the wind for me and I recommend it to everyone!

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thenightsky · 03/05/2013 21:38

Kyrptonite I'm with you on that... best book I've ever read. I'm planning to pick up the new one tomorrow. I'm saving it to read in July, when I shall be in Barcelona for a week Grin.

Barcelona is my favourite city in the whole world too.

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Awks · 04/05/2013 20:42

He's an amazing writer, I can almost smell and taste his books (that sounds rather scary but ikwim) Grin

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DinoSnores · 10/05/2013 22:04

Oh, wonderful! I had missed this, but I've just gone on to Amazon and bought the book. I LOVED Shadow of the Wind and recommended it to so many people. My favourite book is The Count of Monte Cristo, so this looks good!

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Hissy · 11/05/2013 01:03

I saw this book (and bought it) the other day. Then I realised that I'd borrowed The Shadow of the Wind, and didn't actually OWN it. Bought THAT too and Angels Game, so that I can catch up before I start this one.

LOVE Zafon, adore the language, the imagery, the plot.

Can't WAIT for the webchat!

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thenightsky · 11/05/2013 09:08

I was slightly disappointed by The Angel's Game tbh. It didn't grip me like Shadow of the Wind did.

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Princessdivaaa · 13/05/2013 21:01

I'm reading "The Prisoner of Heaven" at the moment.
Loved Shadow and Angels game..
I think Zafon is a lovely writter.....

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TillyBookClub · 14/05/2013 13:08

Hope everyone getting stuck into their copies - it is a proper page turner.

Feel free to chat here before the discussion night, and looking forward to getting everyone's questions in a week or so...

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Ma53 · 14/05/2013 16:10

A bit of a slow starter but I was hooked by Part Three.

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EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 17/05/2013 18:42

Prisoner of Heaven was my first Zafon but I've got to get the others now. I want to know more about the Cemetery of Forgotten Books for a start.

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Naomilee · 18/05/2013 22:09

Looking forward to webchat! Love his books, half way through new book.

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mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 19/05/2013 09:33

This is my first MN book club book, but I will be joining in every month from now on :) Enjoyed the book, looking forward to the chat.

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EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 21/05/2013 21:01
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gailforce1 · 22/05/2013 19:10

Thank you for my free book. However, will I enjoy it more if I read The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game first?

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TillyBookClub · 23/05/2013 09:34

gailforce1, I read this having read Shadow of the Wind but not Angel's Game (and I read Shadow so long ago I'd completely forgotten the plot). And I found I really enjoyed it on its own merit, as a cracking adventure. I'm now quite keen to go back to Shadow and make connections, but that is an added extra, rather than a necessity.

How is everyone finding it? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts..

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FairyArmadillo · 23/05/2013 21:03

I'm really enjoying the book but just realized I'm reading the wrong book! Just came on here to check as the OP said it was meant to be the sequel with Daniel grown up. Shadow of the Wind is so enjoyable to read. So imaginative. I'll just keep going and then read The Prisoner of Heaven. At the rate I'm going I'll be finished with Shadow by the end of the week at least.

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lambfam · 24/05/2013 21:53

Thank you for my free copy. It was a great surprise as I didnt receive an email but was absolutely delighted as I have read Shadows of the Wind and The Angels Game and loved both of them. This one did not disappoint and I am magically transported back to Barcelona whenever I read one of his books.
I now need to go back and read both of the other novels as it has me hankering for more. I also need to book another trip to Barcelona! Could be an expensive free book!
If you have never read any Carlos Ruiz Zafon, I recommend that you do so!

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catbob · 27/05/2013 21:25

What a fantastic surprise to get a free copy of The Prisoner of Heaven. I'd forgotten all about it so it made my day - thank you! I usually avoid books that have been translated and wouldn't have picked this out myself (which is the great thing about this book club) but really enjoyed it and got straight on to the library catalogue when I reached the end to order copies of the other books from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. I had wondered if it would be a problem starting with book 3 as it were but when I started reading didn't feel that at all. I think it will actually be quite interesting to go back and read the first two and get to know more about the characters' backgrounds and stories, almost like becoming better acquainted with a friend. Definitely recommend.

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