In approaching this novel I was only aware that it came recommended as a terrific read. In getting into it, I’m finding that it likely would be considered a mystery, as the narrator is on a mission to both protect a book from being destroyed and to discover the truth about its author.
One of the usual techniques for discovery is very common to this book, that of information given through direct questioning by the narrator. He appears to be following clues, hunting down possible leads, and one links to another that carries him further along in his quest. Not unusual, though well enough done by Zafon.
What it does do however is grow the cast of characters as the links of information spread out. Zafon also finds it necessary to describe each character and to some degree, their setting. While in some cases it does add to character to know how they keep their apartment, I’m wondering if it is necessary; the writer in me making notes that these people are important to the story and will turn up again.
If I find that not to be the case, well it’s a headful of information that Zafon has burdened his reader with.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology