Influence: Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Despite the fact that Carlos Ruiz Zafón has only published 2 novels in the United States (almost a decade apart no less), he is one of my greatest inspirations and favorite authors. His first novel, The Shadow of the Wind, is always the book I recommend to friends craving a book that will absorb them, body and soul, until they are finished reading it.

1st of many reasons I love Zafón: His books are about books. His characters are writers, readers, lovers of literature. His protagonists in both novels are acquainted with the "Cemetery of Books": an extensive library hidden in the depths of Barcelona, a cavernous labyrinth known only to select few who are bound to protect these books that would have been destroyed or forgotten. Only those people who love literature as Zafon's characters do understand the irresistible attraction of such an idea.

His words from The Angel's Game: "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."

His plot lines are dark, poignant, sensuous. Set in pre and post-civil war Barcelona, they are coming of age stories, about the loss of innocence and the pursuit of meaning. They are complicated mysteries, leading the reader in step-by-step to surprising conclusions.
The 2nd reason I admire Zafón so ardently is his writing style. There are some writers that are simply granted the gift of beauty. Zafón one of these. He weaves his novels; he does not write them. His turn of phrase is haunting; his vocabulary perfectly nuanced. He twists and crafts his sentences with a slight bitter amusement that does not detract from their intensity. His Spanish style is reminiscent of Gabriel García Márquez or Pablo Neruda, but with more clarity.

My 3rd cause for praise is character development. Character development is a highly underrated aspect of story-telling, whether in film or literature. It has the potential to make a story succeed, or fail. Zafón's novels succeed largely due the relatable protagonists: young men struggling in their desires and dashed hopes, and intriguing antagonists: dark, mysterious creatures that keep the reader consistently guessing. His other characters are witty, irreverant: the perfect accent(Fermin in The Shadow of the Wind, Barsillo in The Angel's Game, Barcelo in both.)

I both resent and admire him for publishing so infrequently. He displays an enviable dedication to his works: being both thorough, but still concise. His novels, though substantial, are quick reads and no giants of overwhelming proportions.

The Prince of Mist, his latest novel, is due to be published soon, and I, for one, cannot wait.