about the book
In May 1980, Oscar Drai disappears from his boarding school in Barcelona for seven days and nights. When discovered by a policeman, he’s told that a lot of people will be asking where he’s been and, “Sometimes telling the truth is not such a good idea…” It will be fifteen years before Oscar tells his secret.
Before his disappearance, at the age of fifteen, Oscar’s favorite part of the day is slipping out of boarding school for his three hours of freedom before dinner, three hours of roaming the old streets of Barcelona. On one September afternoon of 1979, Oscar wanders down a previously unnoticed street which leads to a sinister two-story home and garden within an iron gate. The hypnotic melody of a piano, a woman’s voice, and a gramophone draws him into the house. He picks up an old broken pocket watch when, suddenly, a woman with long white hair and burning red eyes turns to look at Oscar. He flees back to the boarding school, watch still in hand, just in time for dinner.
Months later, Oscar revisits the house to return the watch. Here he meets mysterious Marina and is led to a decaying burial ground where a sinister ritual takes place. The two explore further, hoping to learn the meaning of what they witnessed—and soon discover a horrifying secret labyrinth of medical experiments below the city.
about the author
Carlos Ruiz Zafon, author of six novels, has been telling stories since he was a kid. He says he had no choice but to be a writer—it’s simply what he does. He spent his childhood surrounded by books and writing. Even before he could read and write, he would make up stories.
Today, his writings have been published in more than forty languages and have received awards internationally.
Source:
Author website
Author interview: Time
Also by Carlos Ruiz Zafon:
The Watcher in the Shadows. Little Brown Books for Young Readers. 2013.
The Midnight Palace. Little, Brown and Company. 2011.
The Prince of Mist. Little, Brown and Company. 2010.
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