The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Act Three - The Angel’s Game — Chapter 2
Overview
At Señor Sempere’s funeral, the parish priest honors the bookseller’s quiet faith in people and books, and the community buries him beside his wife. Grief isolates David Martín, who lingers at the grave. When Pedro Vidal arrives, David, suspecting Vidal knows Cristina’s whereabouts, strikes him in a public outburst and flees.
Summary
A winter crowd gathers at the cemetery as the hearse bearing Señor Sempere arrives. Sempere’s son and Isabella accompany the coffin, while six booksellers carry it to the grave. David Martín keeps to the rear, observing the ceremony and sensing the collective shock that has aged the new Señor Sempere overnight.
The parish priest of Santa Ana delivers a heartfelt eulogy, recalling Sempere’s lifelong devotion to books and people. He frames Sempere’s belief that memory and stories preserve a spark of the divine, promising that as long as readers remain, part of Sempere endures. The coffin is lowered and sealed under a marble slab marked only “Sempere.”
As mourners drift toward the gates, Barceló and Isabella support Sempere’s son. David waits until nearly alone, then touches the grave and whispers a farewell. At that moment, Pedro Vidal approaches, offering a hand David refuses.
David demands to know where Cristina is, convinced Vidal has interfered. Vidal denies knowledge, and when he tries to stop David from leaving, David lashes out and punches him, drawing blood. Barceló rushes in to help Vidal and restrain David, but David breaks away, fleeing the shocked onlookers, ashamed and overwhelmed.
Who Appears
- David MartínNarrator; attends the funeral, grieves, confronts Vidal about Cristina, punches him, and flees.
- Pedro VidalArrives at the graveside; denies knowing Cristina’s whereabouts; is punched by David.
- IsabellaSupports Sempere’s son through the funeral procession and burial.
- Señor Sempere (deceased)Beloved bookseller laid to rest; remembered for faith in books and people.
- Sempere’s sonNew proprietor; visibly aged by grief; escorted by Barceló and Isabella.
- BarcelóBookseller who helps carry the coffin; intervenes after David strikes Vidal.
- Parish priest of Santa AnaDelivers a moving eulogy expressing Sempere’s beliefs and legacy.