The Angel's Game Audiobook By Carlos Ruiz Zafón cover art

The Angel's Game

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The Angel's Game

By: Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
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In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David Martin, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym. The survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city's underworld.

But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner.

Like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones as he struggles with an impossible love. Close to despair, David receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime. He is to write a book unlike anything that has ever existed, a book with the power to change hearts and minds. In return, he will receive a fortune, and perhaps more. But as David begins the work, he realizes that there is a connection between his haunting book and the shadows that surround his home.

Once again, Zafon takes us into a dark, gothic universe first seen in the Shadow of the Wind and creates a breathtaking adventure of intrigue, romance, and tragedy. Through a dizzingly constructed labyrinth of secrets, the magic of books, passion, and friendship blend into a masterful story.

©2009 Carlos Ruiz Zafon (P)2009 Random House Genre Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Psychological Thriller & Suspense Scary Fiction Heartfelt Mystery

Critic reviews

"The plot resolves in a rush, for the author finds himself with many a loose end to tie up, but once it sinks in, the result is more than satisfying. Zafón delivers a warning about the dangers of obsession, mixed with an obvious passion for literature and the printed word; his book is also a song of love for Barcelona with all its creaking floorboards and hidden subbasements. A nice fit with the current craze for learned mysteries and for spooks of both the spying and the spectral kind." ( Kirkus Reviews)

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Beautiful Writing • Intricate Plot • Exceptional Voice Acting • Complex Characters • Gothic Atmosphere
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Intriguing, kept me wondering. It made me want to visit Barcelona. Wish there truly were a cemetery of lost books.

Intriguing. I'm still wondering...

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He is one of the best writers of this decade! Amazing plot, riveting imagination. I got totally absorbed for 5 days reading page by page a journey of his mind. Exploration of human suffers and triumphs!

The Angels Game

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The first half was very good, but I found the second half strange and baffling. I was not sure what was going on.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The picture of Barcelona was the best part of the story, and the language was beautiful

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes where Isobel comes and takes care of him were the most beautiful.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Dan Stevens is a terrific narrator. I could listen to his voice anytime.

Interesting, but also baffling

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Loved it! I was not expecting it to be read in an English accent, but love the story anyway.

Love Carlos Ruiz Zafron!! Great book!

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Nothing happens for 13 hours. Then it still doesn’t have a satisfying ending. So many unanswered questions which is a Bummer because it’s beautifully written. Just a big nothing burger. Skip it.

Nothing Like Shadow of The Wind

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One of the best stories. Writer kept me engrossed through every minute. Can't wait to read another.

A true mystery j

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The prose is so beautiful and evocative that I found myself rereading many sections. Dan Stevens is a great narrator, each character is carefully delineated, and his tone of voice just perfect for such a Gothic mystery. The book's only shortcoming is its enigmatic ending. Was it a dream? Was the narrator going mad? It can be read as an overarching metaphor consisting of smaller metaphors and substitutions having to do with the art of fiction and the toll it takes on the writer. It has me dreaming about it days after I finished reading it.

Gorgeous Prose

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I'd say I was in the 10th hour of this audiobook and joked that I still wasn't sure what it was about. It was entertaining, dark and intriguing but somewhat confusing. I thought I knew where it was going, but ultimately didn't. Kept me entertained but I wouldn't say I highly recommend it and was glad to move on to something else.

Entertaining but odd.

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I think Carlos Ruiz Zafon is one of the best writers. I have been relistening to the first two books of the series. Once again, I was enthralled to be in the world of Barcelona and the mystery Zafon weaves into his stories. Because this was a second read, I was astonished to realize the story was inconsistent in the death of a major character from Shadow of the Wind, who actually survives to old age as written in Shadow. There were also minor differences from the first book to the second book in the treatment of what happens to characters there. I suppose this happens, but it is disconcerting especially when the stories are read closely together.

The reason for the review is the narrator. Why oh why does Mr. Stevens choose do do a less than successful imitation of Cary Grant. His other voices are nice, but this faux Cary is just so distracting I was pulled from the story each time. I remember this was the same reaction I had to this voice the last time I listened. With a great narrator in Davies, I cannot understand why anyone else would be used for this series.

Inconsistent story line

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Anyone who has been to Barcelona will appreciate how well the author describes the city in early 20th century.

What did you like best about this story?

The story, though complex, was not difficult to follow (easier than in the Shadow of the Wind) and kept my interest throughout.

What about Dan Stevens’s performance did you like?

Dan Stevens's wonderful, deep voice was perfect for conveying the dark side of this mystery while bringing out the sensitivity of the main character.

Good read

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