Marina

I have now read 5 of writer Carlos Ruiz Zafron’s novels and each time I finish one it saddens me knowing that this author won’t be writing any more books?! When I first started reading his quadrilogy I went to look him up. Sadly finding out that he died in 2020 now four years ago really was very upsetting! Marina is set in the area of Barcelona Spain. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It did not take me very long to read it because the story for myself felt very fast paced. I cried at the end of this story and I have kept every book of his that I have finished!! Definitely worth your time and attention I believe if you like a good Gothic thriller!

More than anything else, I love the tone, the sense of mystery and days long past that shrouds the books of Carlos Ruiz Zafón. The words of his stories surround the reader with sepia tones, slightly blurry while lovely images, and the faintest background music of sad, romantic waltzes. Just opening one of his books takes me to worlds I’ve never seen, worlds that may never have existed – except in the longings of his characters. “The Sarriá cemetery is in one of Barcelona’s best-hidden corners. If you look for it on the map, you won’t find it. If you ask locals or taxi drivers how to get there, they probably won’t know, although they’ve all heard about it. And if, by chance, you try to look for it on your own, you’re more likely than not to get lost. The lucky few who know the secret of its whereabouts suspect that this old graveyard is in fact an island lost in the ocean of the past, which appears and disappears at random.” In “Marina” – his main characters are younger than usual – but no less surrounded by mystery. In addition to the graveyard, there are majestic yet crumbling old mansions, an opera house lost in in tragedy, and family secrets that cling and nearly choke. Even after finishing the book, I know almost nothing about the main character, Oscar, and that is completely OK. I know his part of this gothic tale and through his eyes; I was able to escape again to a long ago and far away world that I love. This book was sad and glorious. Beautiful and horrific. A wonderful story and an unbelievable fairy tale. A great book and one I was sad to put down.

I love CRZ's writing style. It's hypnotizing. With most authors, I have a tendency to zone out of the story from time to time but not with CRZ books. I could read his stories all day, every day. Marina is a fast paced book with plenty of action/suspense to keep you interested. The characters are relatable, weaving their ways into your heart. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a riveting, fast paced, quick read.

Carlos Zafron has always told stories of mystery and horror. I have loved reading all of his novels. They remind me of gothic novels like “Rebecca.” If you like old fashioned gothic novels, try his books. If you have bee to Barcelona, you will love his descriptions of the city a century ago, familiar but now changed.

The writing was decent, like most of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's books, but this is definitely a homage to horror stories, as a character named Maria Shelley can attest to. Story: Oscar Drai, a 15 year-old student in Barcelona, meets 15 year-old Marina, and her father German. Oscar and Marina get involved in an old story, but the villain is still around, the evil Mijail Kolvenik, and they battle him. Lines I liked: "People tend to become wary of individuals like him because their brilliance reminds them of their own mediocrity." "In the background the murmur of a radio drifted through the air like the echo of our conversation."

How often does a love story not disappoint. Aaron who died recently named Marina as his family visits among his novels. It doesn't replace Shadow of the Wind for me,but I loved it and read it in one sitting. As is often the case with Zafon, the setting,his most frequent site, Barcelona, becomes a major character in the story. It's theater, a cemetary, an old mansion, a boy's school, a secluded cove outside the.city, a suburb posed on a mount reached by funicular, even the sewers are as memorable as Marina and Oscer . As he always does this author makes the magical as real as The settings and the people in those locales. The lonely school boy saved by a loving widowed father and his lovely daughter Marina will be part of me forever.

a master story teller early work that show aclear eviance of his talent that will truly shine in his master piece shadows of the wind.

Learning about Marina is to know life by facing the darkness of sorrow and death. . .and yet to cherish her simple courage. A story worth reading.

The book was well preserved, and the story is one of the best of the modern times.

Love this author and this book

As a Stephen King fan I'm used to scarey books but I have to say I read Marina with the lights on. It's both sweet and innocent and horrifying at the same time. The characters are compelling and sympathetic. The plot might seem unlikely and yet it rings true in so many ways. I've read other books by the author and enjoyed them as well.

What a beautiful edition! Can’t wait to read it.

A page turner from beginning to end. A journey of highs and lows mixed with Joy and sadness a book worthy of reading more than once this is my third still gives me chills