As a result of his father's death he meets the man who is to become his patron and mentor, Pedro Vidal. Vidal not only gets him a job at the newspaper he writes for, he's also responsible for David’s first paid writing assignment. When that job comes to an end, Pedro finds a publisher to employ David to write an ongoing crime fiction series. With an income assured, he's able to find a place to live outside of the slums. Since he was a child, David has been attracted to an old abandoned mansion. As soon as he has the money to afford it, he takes out a lease on the building and moves in.
Almost immediately after his first story is published in the newspaper, David begins to receive mysterious letters congratulating him on his success. These letters contain a most unusual request: the mysterious correspondent wants to commission David to write a religion. At first David dismisses the idea as crazy, but the publisher is persistent and finally David agrees to the contract.
Taking the job begins his descent into his personal hell. When David begins to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his home’s previous owner, he discovers that the man had been working on his own book for a mysterious publisher. David is drawn into a conspiracy reaching into the highest ranks of society. Corpses begin to pile up as police begin to suspect David. He can't shake the feeling that his mysterious publisher is somehow at the root of all this and he's determined to get to the bottom of it all.
With The Angel's Game, Zafón has created a multilayered treat for readers incorporating all the best elements of gothic horror and crime fiction while simultaneously creating incredibly realistic characters. As David descends into darkness, so does the book. Though the early sections of the book do contain some sadness, there are moments of genuine humor and an overall lightness of spirit that reflects David's initial optimism. As the story progresses, the city itself begins to descend into darkness and gloom until the final climax is played out under a black sky streaked "with veins of red light."
Article comments
1 - bob
This is the best, most perceptive, intelligent and most on the money review I've read about this novel. Bravo. You nailed it. It is inspiring to find such smart commentary about books.