In the early summer of 1945, 10-year-old Daniel Sempere's father introduces him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a labyrinthine library that preserves rare and forgotten books, ensuring their protection. Daniel's father is one of the keepers of this sanctuary. Daniel is sworn to secrecy about the library's existence and is allowed to choose one book to save and preserve throughout his life. He selects a book called "The Shadow of the Wind" by Julián Carax.
Daniel becomes engrossed in the book, reading it in one afternoon and evening. The story deeply affects him, leaving a lasting impact on his heart and mind. Despite his mother's death during a cholera epidemic after the Spanish Civil War when he was four, Daniel and his father still remember her fondly and feel her presence in their apartment above the bookstore that Daniel will eventually inherit.
In this section, the narrative follows Daniel Sempere's life from the age of 10 to 14, during which he becomes more deeply involved with the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and develops romantic feelings for Clara Barceló.
The following morning after visiting the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel is curious about Julián Carax and desires to read all of Carax's books. Daniel and his father, who is a book seller and a keeper of the Cemetery, decide to seek out Don Gustavo Barceló, a wealthy and knowledgeable book collector, to learn more about Carax. Don Gustavo offers to buy Daniel's book, which he took from the Cemetery, but Daniel
declines the offer. Instead, Don Gustavo agrees to meet with Julián and Daniel's father to share everything he knows about Julián Carax.
Don Gustavo arranges a meeting with Julián Carax, and he brings his niece, Clara Barceló, along. Daniel becomes captivated by Clara's beauty, intelligence, and melancholy. Clara is blind, but she reads Daniel's face using her delicate hands and fingers.
During their first meeting, Daniel falls deeply in love with Clara. She tells him about her life, explaining that her father, a prominent lawyer, was arrested and killed during the Spanish Civil War. However, before his arrest, he sent Clara and her mother away to Provence, France, where they lived in safety. Clara discovered Julián Carax's books in France through her tutor, who bought a Carax novel called "The Red House" during one of his trips to Paris.
Clarashares with Daniel her fascination with reading "The Red House" and how she feels she can live more intensely in the world of shadows within books, especially those written by Julián Carax. She then reveals the tragic fate of her father, who was murdered by an assassin hired by the anarchists in the moat of the Montejuïc Castle in Barcelona. The assassin, Javier Fumero, later switched sides and joined the police force, successfully playing all sides against each other to ensure his survival.
Daniel offers to come over the next day and read "The Shadow of the Wind" aloud to Clara.
Daniel dreams of becoming an author and becomes fascinated by a gorgeous fountain pen believed to have once belonged to Victor Hugo in a second-hand shop. However, the cost of the pen is exorbitant. His father promises to find a way to buy the pen or have a local
watchmaker, Don Frederico, craft a similar one for Daniel when he is old enough to start writing. Daniel attempts to write a story without the magical pen but ultimately gives up on his authorial ambitions.
Despite giving up on writing, Daniel continues to contemplate philosophical ideas, especially related to Clara's and his own experiences of losing their parents. One night, after reading to Clara and having dinner with his father, Daniel spots a dark figure watching him from the balcony, who resembles the devil in "The Shadow of the Wind."
Daniel visits the Barceló's apartment and is impressed by its grandeur. He starts reading "The Shadow of the Wind" to Clara, and this marks the beginning of nearly daily visits to the Barceló's during the summer and the following years. Daniel realizes that Clara doesn't receive music lessons from Adrián Neri, a supposedly brilliant composer, on the days when he visits.
Clara shares stories of a stranger who accosts her on the street, asking about her uncle, Don Gustavo, and Daniel. The Barceló's maid, Bernarda, warns Daniel repeatedly not to become obsessed with Clara, but he ignores the advice. Daniel also disregards his father's counsel to maintain his friendship with his childhood best friend, Tomás Aguilar. As Daniel turns fourteen, his feelings for Clara intensify, even though she does not reciprocate his affection, causing him significant pain. Despite this, he continues to live in a fantasy world revolving around Clara.
"The Red House" is described as having a dark, gothic atmosphere with drama, intrigue,and a tragic love story. Clara also learned from the book's biographical blurb that Julián Carax earned his living by playing the piano in a bordello during the evening. Clara's tutor continued searching for Carax novels but never found another one. However, he discovered that Carax had published a novel called "The Shadow of the Wind" in 1935, which received positive reviews, and it seemed that Carax's fortunes were improving. Julián was even engaged to a wealthy woman, but on his wedding day, he fought in a duel and disappeared. Various rumors circulated in Paris about his fate, with the final rumor suggesting that he died penniless and alone after returning to Barcelona, where he was buried in a pauper's mass grave.
This section covers one day in Daniel's life: his 16th birthday.
On his 16th birthday, Daniel hosts a party but only Bernarda shows up, leaving him angry and embarrassed. He runs away to the docks, where he encounters the mysterious stranger who had been following Clara. The man tries to buy "The Shadow of the Wind" from Daniel, but he refuses. The man reveals his scarred face and threatens to burn the book whenever he finds it.
Worried for Clara's safety, Daniel rushes to the Barcelós' apartment to retrieve the book. He hears voices and laughter from Clara's room, where he finds her making love with musician Adrián Neri. Neri beats Daniel up and warns him to stay away from Clara before taking his keys.
Outside the building, a beggar named Fermín Romero de Torres approaches Daniel. He introduces himself as an ex-secret service agent and shares his wine with Daniel. Daniel returns "The Shadow of the Wind" to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where Isaac, the library's caretaker, lets him in and offers to tell him what he knows about Julián Carax.
Isaac reveals that Julián Carax's novels were published by Tony Cabestany, but most of them didn't sell well. When Cabestany died, a man named Laín Coubert tried to buy all the remaining stock of Carax's books, but the deal fell through. Later, the building containing the remaining stock burned down, leaving only one copy of each book. Nuria Monfort, Isaac's estranged daughter, had saved a copy of each novel and hid them in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, hoping to return them
to Carax when she found him. Daniel learns thatNuria is now married and working as a translator. He wants to talk to her to gather more information about Carax. Daniel hides "The Shadow of the Wind" in the library and receives a magnificent fountain pen from his father as a birthday present, bringing them back into harmony with each other.
During the years 1951 to 1953, Daniel brings Fermín into the bookstore family. Fermín, an intelligent and humorous man, has faced hardships due to his political allegiance to the losing side in the Civil War. Despite his difficult past, both Daniel and his father show compassion for Fermín and welcome him into their lives. The three men demonstrate their true characters as caring, compassionate, and intelligent individuals, supporting and helping each other through life's challenges.
As work in the bookstore becomes busier in the fall, Daniel realizes they need assistance and finds Fermín Romero de Torres, his friend from the past, living in street lodgings. Fermín reveals that his nemesis is Inspector Fumero, the same man who killed Clara's father. Daniel takes Fermín home with him, and they hide him from Fumero. Fermín becomes a valuable addition to the bookstore, using his wit and resourcefulness to locate books for customers. However, the physical and emotional damage Fermín endured from Fumero's torture becomes evident one night when he loses control and seems to lose his mind. Daniel and his father become more protective of Fermín, spending time with him to support his recovery.
With Fermín now working in the shop, Daniel decides to spend his free time searching for more information about Julián Carax and reconnecting with his old friend, Tomás Aguilar. Daniel recalls how he and Tomás became best friends after a physical altercation ended in understanding and kinship. Tomás, considered an idiot by his father due to his stammer, is actually a genius inventor with a keen interest in mathematics and
inventors. Daniel also describes Bea, Tomás' sister, as a beautiful, enigmatic figure who both fascinates and intimidates him.
Fermín and Tomás hatch a plan to avoid their compulsory army service. While Fermín becomes infatuated with Bernarda, the Barceló's maid, a mysterious person leaves a singed photograph of a young couple in the bookstore, whom Daniel believes might be Julián Carax and his love interest.
In this part, Daniel continues his search into Julián Carax's life and uncovers numerousparallels between their stories. He becomes infatuated with Bea, Tomás' sister, and as their relationship blossoms, he stands up for it despite losing Tomás' friendship. Daniel's investigations lead him to discover the secret love affair between Penélope Aldaya and Julián Carax. Both Penélope and Julián come from wealthy, aristocratic families, but their love is forbidden, and they plan to run away together. However, their plans are foiled, and Julián is forced to flee Barcelona for Paris due to threats from Inspector Fumero and Penélope's father. Penélope, pregnant and isolated, is imprisoned in her bedroom by her father.
It is October in Barcelona, and Daniel considers it his favorite time of year. He visits Professor Velazquez's place for a delivery and encounters Beatriz "Bea" Aguilar, Tomás' sister, who he has had a strained relationship with in the past. Despite attempting to create a truce, Daniel's jealousy and pride cause him to insult Bea's fiancé, leading to friction between them again. However, he promises to show her a different side of Barcelona to spend time with her and keep her from marrying her current fiancé.
Continuing his investigation into Julián Carax's life, Daniel goes to the building where Julián's father, Antoni Fortuny, ran a hat shop. The caretaker, Doña Aurora, confirms that Julián went to Paris in 1918 or
1919 to avoid the draft and supposedly died soon after his arrival, according to Mr. Fortuny. However, Daniel insists that Julián is not dead and has lived in Paris until at least 1935. Doña Aurora reveals that Mr. Fortuny used to abuse his wife, Julián's mother, and that Julián is not Mr. Fortuny's biological son. She shares that Julián's best friend was from the wealthy Aldaya family, and Julián spent much time with them.
Daniel convinces Doña Aurora to let him into the Fortuny's old apartment, where he finds footprints in the dust, indicating recent activity. They discover old photographs and a locked bedroom with a golden key found inside a music box in another room.
Daniel unlocks Julián's bedroom, only to find it covered with crucifixes on the walls, ceiling, floors, and furniture. They notice recent footprints all around the room. In a picture of a girl in his possession, the back says "Penélope, who loves you." Daniel asks for a letter that came for Julián after his supposed death, and the caretaker gives it to him, stating it is a love letterthat made her cry. Daniel decides to learn more about the Fortuny/Carax family and goes to the administrator's office to gather information.
The next day, Daniel visits Penélope Aldaya's old home, where he learns that Jorge Aldaya left Barcelona and moved to Argentina. The caretaker of a neighboring estate knows nothing about Penélope Aldaya but mentions that the abandoned house emits sounds of sobbing at night, leading to rumors of it being haunted. Daniel imagines himself as Julián, holding the picture of Penélope with a hopeful future ahead of him.
On Friday morning, Daniel puts Nuria's address in his wallet, which Isaac Monfort had given him. Merceditas, a neighbor, brings apples as a
gift to the bookshop. Daniel wishes that his father would accept Merceditas' friendship and move on with his life after the death of his wife many years ago.
Don Anacleto, a high school teacher, rushes into the shop with terrible news about Don Frederico. He has been arrested by the State Police while dressed as a woman in a nightclub and placed in a cell with known thugs, where he was brutally assaulted.
Daniel shares the news about Inspector Fumero's visit and threats against Fermín with his father. They decide to protect Fermín from Fumero's harm. The neighborhood comes together to support Don Frederico after the horrific attack, caring for him during his recovery.
Daniel visits Nuria Monfort in his search for information about Julián Carax. She reluctantly agrees to talk with him and is described as a beautiful woman with porcelain skin and graying hair.
Upstairs in her apartment, Nuria reveals that her husband, Miquel Moliner, has been in prison for two years for printing political leaflets. She met Julián Carax while working as the secretary to the publisher of his novels. Nuria denies having an affair with Julián, describing him as living within himself, immersed in his books as a comforting escape.
She shares Julián's troubled childhood, growing up with an abusive and ignorant hatter father who rejected him. When Nuria heard about Julián's supposed death, she received a mysterious call from the morgue, but Julián's father denied his identity, and he was buried in a mass grave.
Nuria recounts how a man named Laín Coubert visited the publisher's office, making an offer for Julián's remaining books, but when Cabestany's son got greedy, Coubert withdrew the offer, and the warehouse burnt down later that night. Nuria hid a copyof each of Julián's books in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
Daniel feels a strong connection to Julián and is attracted to Nuria's beauty and sadness but is stopped when he attempts to kiss her.
Daniel meets Bea for their date. Both admit they almost did not come, but Bea insists she will marry her fiancé, Pablo. As they talk, Daniel shares his admiration for The Shadow of the Wind and his obsession with Julián Carax's life, which he sees mirroring his own. He takes her to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, where she chooses Tess of the D'Ubervilles.
Daniel kisses Bea and walks her home, both having a memorable evening.
Fermín is still working in the bookshop when Daniel returns home after midnight. Fermín is taking care of Don Frederico and asks Daniel for advice on becoming a good father. Fermín is deeply in love with Bernarda and wants to marry her and start a family.
Daniel reassures him and later discovers that Nuria lied to him about signing for the mail at the Fortuny/Carax apartment rental firm.
On Saturday, Fermín and Daniel work at the bookstore when Tomás Aguilar arrives. Tomás expresses his unhappiness about Daniel dating his engaged sister, Bea, after their tyrannical father questioned her whereabouts late into the night.
Over Sunday breakfast, Fermín and Daniel review what they have learned so far about Julián Carax's life and apparent death. They discuss Julián's friendship with Jorge Aldaya, which was broken when Julián's romance with Penélope came between them. Daniel sees the parallels between their situation and Julián's life.
Julián runs off to Paris in 1919, leaving Penélope imprisoned by her family and his friendship with Jorge ruined. However, Penélope's letter to Julián, which Daniel received from the caretaker, never reaches him. In Paris, Julián makes a living by playing piano in a bordello and writing novels, which he publishes through Mr. Cabestany. At some point, he agrees to marry a wealthy woman, but Jorge Aldaya arrives in Paris, and
Julián ends up in a duel on his wedding day, preventing the marriage.
During the Civil War in 1936, Julián returns to Barcelona, and his body is later found shot to death in an alley. After his death, a man calling himself Laín Coubert, named after a devil from Julián's novels, begins buying and burning his books.
They visit Julián's old school, San Gabriel's School, and speak with Father Fernando Ramos, who revealsdetails of Julián's past and his friendship with Jorge and Miquel Moliner.
Father Fernando shares that he and Julián became friends as scholarship kids at the school. Mr. Aldaya sponsored Julián's education there, and Julián befriended both Jorge and Miquel Moliner, who came from a wealthy family.
Julián spent time with the Aldaya family, where he met Penélope, Jorge's sister. However, Don Aldaya often belittled Jorge and treated him poorly. There was also another boy at the school, Francisco Javier Fumero, who had a disturbing history and a strange obsession with Julián and Penélope.
Fermín and Daniel are shaken by the revelations about Fumero's involvement in Julián's life. They acknowledge that putting all the pieces together is challenging due to the lies and protective actions of people involved. Fermín advises Daniel to pursue his relationship with Bea, and they both decide to continue their quest to learn more about Julián's life and the mystery surrounding his death.
Julián meets Bea inside the Aldayas' mansion, and she begins sharing what she knows about the place's grim and bloody past. The mansion is known as "The Angel of the Mist" and has a history of tragedy and paranormal occurrences.
Bea shares the history of the mansion, which was built by a wealthy businessman named Salvador Jausà. A series of horrifying events, including deaths, mysterious disappearances, and supernatural phenomena, led to the house being considered haunted.
After hearing the haunting story, Bea asks Daniel for advice on whether to run away and marry her soldier boyfriend, leaving Barcelona forever. Daniel takes the letter from her and burns it, and they become lovers.
Fermín and Daniel go to Santa Lucía hospice, posing as undertakers, to find Penélope Aldaya's nurse, Jacinta Coranado. They are desperate to learn more about Julián's story and confront Nuria Monfort's lies.
Jacinta Coronado, a lonely woman, talks about her love and care for Penélope Aldaya. She reveals that she helped Penélope and Julián Carax exchange messages and meet secretly during their affair. Penélope had dreamed of marrying Julián since she was thirteen. Jacinta shares her own story, including encounters with a dark angel named Zacarías, who predicted significant events in her life. She was hired by Mr. Aldaya to care for his family and became particularly close to Penélope. However, when Penélope and Julián's love was discovered, their plans to run away were thwarted, leading to tragic consequences.
After Fermín survivesa beating by Chief Inspector Fumero and his men, Daniel takes him to Don Barceló's place, where they reconcile with Clara and explain the events they have uncovered so far.
Don Barceló suggests Daniel should confront Nuria Monfort about her
lies while Fermín follows her after the meeting.
Daniel waits for Bea in the Aldaya mansion, where they make love. However, they hear strange noises outside the room and discover the crypt where Penélope's body lies. The voice of Laín Coubert warns them to leave the house.
Daniel does not hear from Bea, and he becomes increasingly anxious, feeling that this will be his last week alive.
Daniel plans to confront Nuria Monfort, but he notices a policeman watching his house. He discusses his encounter with Fumero with Fermín, who reveals his dark past as an informer during the Civil War. Fermín blames himself, but Daniel assures him that he did what anyone would have under torture and promises to keep his secret.
Daniel and Fermín execute their plan to confront and follow Nuria Monfort. Daniel knocks on her door, and she answers.
Daniel accuses Nuria of lying about her husband being in prison and protecting the man who killed Julián Carax and burned his books. Nuria becomes shaken and demands that Daniel leave.
After Daniel returns to the shop, Don Barceló brings news about the morgue attendant's account of Julián Carax's identification. Fumero was present during the identification and threatened the morgue attendant
into silence.
Daniel calls the Barceló's to inquire about Fermín, but Clara tells him that she's getting married and hopes they can be friends again. Later that night, Fumero and his thugs enter Daniel's apartment looking for Fermín. Fumero threatens Daniel and informs him that Fermín is accused of murdering Nuria Monfort.
The police watch Daniel and his father as they open the shop the next morning. They get into an argument, and Daniel continues to withhold information about their involvement in the investigation of Julián Carax. Daniel leaves the shop, and Policeman Palacios follows him.
Daniel tries to talk to Mr. Aldaya about being Bea's boyfriend, but Tomás is the only one at home and refuses to see him.
Daniel receives a bag containing a message from Fermín, assuring him that he is safe and didn't kill Nuria Monfort. He attends Nuria's funeral and receives a message from Policeman Palacios, who reveals Nuria's last wordsand her love for Julián.
Daniel visits Nuria's apartment and meets Isaac Monfort, who gives him a handwritten manuscript that Nuria wanted to give Daniel. Isaac hints that the manuscript contains the answers he seeks.
In Part 6, titled "Nuria Monfort: Remembrance Of The Lost(1933-1955)," the section presents Nuria Monfort's truthful account of her life and relationship with Julián Carax. Unlike the lies she initially told Daniel, Nuria provides an honest narrative about her past and her connection to Julián. She understands that Fumero, who is pursuing information about Julián, might come after her as well. In anticipation of potential danger, she decides to write down her story for Daniel in case she is killed.
The chapter begins with Nuria recalling her first meeting with Julián Carax in the autumn of 1933 when she worked for Toni Cabestany, Julián's Spanish publisher. Nuria was puzzled by the fact that despite Julián's brilliant novels, they were commercial failures, with only about 100 copies sold of each book. She protected Julián from someone who frequently called asking for his address by removing his address from the company's records.
Nuria developed a friendship with Miquel Moliner, who paid for the publishing of each of Julián's novels. Despite being wealthy, Miquel worked tirelessly to translate documents and edit textbooks, aiming to spend all his father's inheritance on various philanthropic projects. Miquel fell in love with Nuria, but she only saw him as her best friend and believed that she would never love another man the way she loved Julián.
One year, Nuria decided to visit Julián in Paris to pick up his manuscript in person. During her stay, she and Julián became lovers, although she knew he would never truly love her back. After two weeks, she returned to Barcelona, filled with loneliness and bitterness.
After returning to Barcelona, Nuria delayed meeting Miquel for some time. When they finally met, Miquel already knew what had happened between her and Julián. Despite not reciprocating Miquel's romantic feelings, she became his lover out of loneliness and bitterness. Nuria asked Miquel to reveal the truth about Penélope, Julián's muse, and the woman he dedicated all his novels to.
Miquel told Nuria about the tragic events surrounding Penélope,
including her confinement by Jorge Aldaya after he discovered her affair with Julián. Miquel lied to Julián about Penélope's disappearance and put him on a train toParis, but later received a letter from Penélope revealing the truth about their relationship. He also learned that Penélope and Julián were, in fact, brother and sister.
The section delves into the backstory of Sophie Carax, Julián's mother, who became involved with the hatter Antoni Fortuny before marrying Don Ricardo Aldaya. Sophie initially showed no romantic interest in Antoni but accepted his marriage proposal due to her lack of friends and prospects in Barcelona. Despite marrying Don Ricardo, Sophie engaged in a 96-day affair with Julián, whom she had with Antoni.
The chapter recounts Don Ricardo Aldaya's growing rage and jealousy upon discovering Julián's relationship with Penélope. He locked Penélope in Jacinta's room and plotted Julián's death. Penélope gave birth to a stillborn son and then died from complications, leaving Don Ricardo consumed by hatred.
In 1936, Jorge Aldaya returned to Barcelona, blaming Julián Carax for his misfortune and penury. He encountered his old schoolmate, Fumero, and sought his forgiveness. Fumero used Jorge to nurture his hatred of Julián and plotted to trap all of Julián's old friends, including Miquel Moliner. He aimed to avenge Julián's death before dispatching Jorge from his life.
In the winter of 1934, Miquel Moliner's brothers evict him from the family home, leaving him homeless. Nuria finds him in a squalid room, suffering from tuberculosis. She takes him home and marries him in secret. One day, Jorge Aldaya visits Nuria's apartment, seeking information about Julián Carax. Miquel lies and says he doesn't know
where Julián is, and Jorge informs them that Fumero congratulates them on their marriage, leaving them terrified.
Despite his illness, Miquel works hard and puts all his earnings into an account for Nuria. However, she can't love him the same way he loves her, still yearning for Julián. Fumero informs Miquel that Julián is getting married to Irene Marceau in Paris. Miquel decides to search for Julián, and when they meet, he encourages Julián to return to Nuria. During their encounter, police show up, and Miquel sacrifices himself to buy Julián time to escape.
Julián Carax enters Spain shortly before the Civil War, and Nuria and Miquel learn that he is wanted for murder. They search for him in Barcelona, and Miquel eventually finds Julián at the abandoned Aldaya mansion. The two friends meet and discuss their next steps. Miquel, knowing he doesn't have much time left due to his illness, encourages Juliánto return to Nuria. Miquel confronts the police while Julián escapes, but Miquel is shot and killed.
Fumero attends the identification of Miquel's body, mistaking him for Julián. This accidental identification gives Julián the opportunity to continue living without being pursued by the police. Nuria finds Julián badly burned in the aftermath of a fire that destroys his books and the building where they were kept. She nurses him back to health, and they start living together, but their relationship becomes strained and distant.
Julián becomes increasingly detached and starts disappearing at night. He involves himself in illegal activities, stealing his books from various homes and burning them. The end of the war brings no real peace, and Nuria struggles to find work. She writes to Sophie, Julián's mother, pretending to be a lawyer, and receives money to support herself and Julián.
Nuria and Julián go to the Aldaya mansion and discover Penélope's and her stillborn son's tombs in the basement. Julián becomes disillusioned with life, hating Nuria and Miquel, and even disliking his own novels. He starts going out at night without Nuria's knowledge, becoming Laín Coubert, seeking vengeance and acting upon his anger and remorse.
Nuria's boss, Pedro Sanmartí, pursues her relentlessly despite her rejections. When she runs away from his advances, she meets Fumero, who later ends up dead. Nuria realizes that Julián has been sneaking out without her knowledge and that he's been exacting vengeance on people.
Nuria discovers that Julián has lost his mind and is seeking vengeance on those he believes wronged him. Fumero questions Nuria about the Sanmartí murder but releases her after six hours. Nuria waits for Julián at their apartment, but he never returns.
Nuria encounters Julián at the cinema, and he reveals the existence of another copy of "The Shadow of the Wind." Julián watches Daniel Sempere, the owner of the other book, and sees him as a worthy individual. Nuria discovers Julián's obsession with Daniel through his writings. She knows that Fumero will come for her, expecting her to lead him to Julián.
This section of the novel contains the climax of the novel, which comprises a furious confrontation between Fumero, Julián, and Daniel.
Filled with remorse and dread after his actions, Daniel decides to confront Bea's family, especially her father, about the situation immediately. He goes to the Aguilars' apartment, finding onlyTomás at home. Tomás informs Daniel that Bea is pregnant and becomes angry, beating Daniel and threatening to kill him if any harm has come to his sister. Injured and shaken, Daniel walks away feeling like a "shadow."
As Daniel is followed in a black car, he fears it might be Fumero coming to harm him. However, he realizes that it is Fermín and Don Frederico who have come to rescue him. They take him to a safe place where Fermín has been hiding. After taking painkillers, Daniel realizes that Bea could be at the Aldaya mansion.
Daniel hurries to the Aldaya mansion, where he finds Bea safe and cared for by Julián Carax. Julián had assured her that Daniel would come and everything would be alright. As Fumero approaches, Daniel perceives his sinister presence, comparing him to Death.
Daniel leaves Bea hidden upstairs and warns Carax about Fumero's presence. Carax is depicted in a photograph with a knife through his chest. When Fumero appears, Daniel springs into action to protect Carax, but he gets shot in the chest. Palacios arrives, and Daniel urges him to take Bea and leave. Fumero holds Bea at gunpoint, and Carax, transformed by rage into Laín Coubert, attacks Fumero. In the struggle, Fumero falls into a ruined fountain and is impaled by an angel's broken arm. As Daniel dies, he envisions potential futures and recalls memories of his mother.
After being shot, Daniel's heart stops for 64 seconds. He wakes up eight days later, surrounded by his loved ones: his father, Fermín, and
Bea. All of his friends, including Tomás Aguilar, come to visit him. He falls asleep again.
When he wakes up once more, he finds Julián Carax in his room. Julián helps him take a sip of water and bids farewell. Daniel realizes that Julián never discovered the truth about Penélope being his half-sister. He asks Julián to take back his pen and continue writing with it.
Later, when Daniel wakes again, Bea is by his side. He asks about Carax, but both Bea and the nurse are puzzled, saying that no one has been in or out of his room for the past six hours. As Daniel turns his head, he sees the pen case lying empty, indicating that Carax was there, and their encounter might have been more than just a dream.
InMarch, Daniel and Bea get married. On the eve of their wedding, Fermín and Daniel fulfill their promise to the geriatric man at the hospice, who had led them to Jacinta Coronado. Fermín pays a prostitute to bring joy to an elderly man at the hospice. Afterward, they inquire about Jacinta Coronado and are informed that she passed away two weeks earlier. Before her death, she was visited by a mysterious man named Julián, who brought news about her daughter, Penélope. Jacinta died peacefully in her sleep the next morning.
The memory of Daniel's wedding is hazy, but he vividly recalls the feeling of Bea's lips on his and the promise they made to each other, a vow that he will cherish forever.
The narrative returns to Daniel, who is now standing behind the counter of the bookstore, watching his son Julián, who is about to turn ten years old. He provides a summary of the fates of the main characters in the story. His father resides in the apartment above the bookstore, while Daniel and Bea now manage the bookstore, which provides them with a modest but content life. They are happy together.
Fermín, after Isaac Montfort's death, takes on the responsibility of caring for the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and he is happily married to Bernarda. Don Barceló decides to leave the book business and sells all of
his book stock to Daniel and Bea. He is disillusioned with the book trade but before departing, he publishes a volume containing the first three novels of Julián Carax.
The novel concludes with a scene mirroring the beginning, as Daniel brings his ten-year-old son, Julián, to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, continuing the cycle of the story.