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Have just reread this fantastic novel after many years. Even knowing the answers to its many mysteries, I was gripped and loved every aspect of it. Those of you reading it for the first time are in for a treat!

I read this book last year. It was a great way to feel like I was traveling when in the midst of the pandemic and travel restrictions. I loved the book. It was beautifully written and I'm excited to discuss it with those who are reading it for the first time or again.

I love this group. I may never have picked this book up and I’m so glad I did. It snatched me up and didn’t let go until the end. I stayed engaged and consumed by the characters and the story. It was very well written. Great Read!

I enjoyed the book. It took me longer to really get into than most other books. I loved the 2nd half of the book and really had trouble putting it down once all the mysteries started to reveal themselves. I love doing the challenge because it forces me out of my comfort zone. I don’t think I would have picked this book up if not for the group.

Finished it today. I didn't love it, but overall, it's a great story with plenty of gothic atmosphere and great plotlines. I preferred the latter half of the book. Too much of the first half was taken up with Fermin and the repititions of his OTT dialogue/opinions and ultimate irrelevance, in my opinion. For that reason I've given it 3 stars.

One of my all time favorite books. I’ve read the whole series and recommended this book many times.

Didn’t finish this one on time - had a really hard time making myself read it. I have complicated feelings with this book. There were parts I loved, particularly those describing books and Spain. But I had difficulty connecting with the characters and felt the story was too wordy. Perhaps just not the right season for me to read this one. “Evil presupposes a moral decision, intention, and some forethought. A moron or a lout, however, doesn’t stop to think or reason. He acts on instinct, like a stable animal, convinced that he’s doing good, that he’s always right, and sanctimoniously proud to go around fucking up, if you’ll excuse the French, anyone he perceives to be different from himself, but because of skin color, creed, language, nationality, or� His leisure habits.� But there were truths hidden amongst all that wordiness. “The words with which a child’s heart is poisoned, through malice or through ignorance, remain branded in his memory, and sooner or later they burn his soul.� And just beautiful sentences - “books are mirrors: you only see in an them what you already have inside you.� And “making money isn’t hard in itself. What’s hard is to earn it doing something worth devoting one’s life too.� 3.5 stars