posted on 27 Jul 2016

The Watcher in the Shadows by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

After the beautifully designed cover caught my attention, I knew I had to buy the book from Waterstones. Even though the synopsis was captivating, it was not enough to command my attention. However, after reading the book, I was surprised that I, being the avid reader I am, had not heard of the author or read his bestselling book, ‘The Shadow of the Wind’.

This story follows Irene, her little brother called Dorian and their mother, Simone Sauvelle. After the passing of their father, the once well off family has no choice but to relocate from Paris to a cold place on the coast of Normandy, where Simone gets a job as a house-keeper for the eccentric toy-maker called Lazarus Jann. He is a wonderful toy maker, bringing to life many wonderful automatons that actually almost appear to be alive!

As Irene falls in love with local boy, Ismael, strange things begin to happen. Shadows appear and menacing, magical forces cause chaos in the forest and Irene’s new friend, Hannah is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

There is a creepy figure that watches from behind the curtains of a locked room at the toymaker’s mansion, with strange lights that flicker through the mist from an abandoned lighthouse. A shadowy creature that hides deep in the woods and has already claimed a life. These are elements of a mystery that will bind Irene to Ismael during a magical summer.

Midway into reading this book, I could see that the story has a very Gothic feel, with the author’s narrative, smooth, compelling and atmospheric. Shadows and the very idea of something lurking in the dark can very frightening, and it is clear that Zafon, the author, plays on this theme to create effect with the inclusion of the idea of the doppelganger, the German word for what a double of a living person is called, often being dark and sometimes very dangerous.

The story is full of adventure and mystery with plenty of twists and it is difficult to know what to make of Lazarus. Is the toymaker good, evil, crazy or just lonely? Zafon has created a beautifully written story and told it very well. This is the perfect book to read on a dark evening, just make sure the doors are locked though, as you may find yourself glancing over your shoulder more than once, just like I did.

I will definitely be checking out more books by the author.

 

Yushra Fatima

July 2016