The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #2
The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
Act One - City of the Damned — Chapter 5
Overview
David recounts his grim childhood: a violent, addicted father, solace in books at Sempere’s shop, and a formative devotion to Great Expectations. He witnesses his father’s murder and is informally adopted by the newspaper through Pedro Vidal. Years later he receives his father’s revolver and discovers his cherished Dickens copy is gone, hardening his resolve and sense of loss.
Summary
David reflects that expectations rarely come true and recalls isolation at the newspaper and his longing for Cristina. He rewinds to childhood, describing his father’s return from the Philippines war: jobless, addicted, and volatile, eventually working nights at The Voice of Industry while drifting into shady dealings.
Books become David’s refuge, especially at Sempere & Sons, where the bookseller gifts him Great Expectations. When David’s father discovers the book, he assaults David. David flees at dawn to return the novel; Sempere and his silent son tend his wounds with Doctor Campos and hint at a secret place “where books never die.”
Trying to make amends, David’s father offers money but rejects help for schooling, though teacher Doña Mariana privately mentors David after class. David accompanies his father on night shifts, learns his mother has left them, and secretly watches her work at El Indio, unable to approach.
At the newspaper entrance, gunmen murder David’s father. Traumatized, David hides in the presses until Pedro Vidal arranges work and lodging for him. Barcelona’s violence escalates around him as he grows up within the paper.
Years later, a grey messenger delivers David’s father’s army revolver. David keeps it as his only heirloom, then visits Sempere to buy back Great Expectations, only to learn it was sold that morning, deepening his sense that real “great expectations” lie beyond his grasp.
Who Appears
- David MartínNarrator; recalls abusive childhood, solace in books, father’s murder, Vidal’s aid, and receiving his father’s revolver.
- David’s fatherWar-scarred, addicted nightwatchman; violent toward David; later murdered outside the newspaper.
- Sempere (bookseller)Kind bookseller who shelters David, gifts Great Expectations, and hints at a secret haven for books.
- Pedro VidalStar writer who secures David a job and lodging after the father’s death.
- David’s motherAbsent parent working at El Indio; silently observed by David from afar.
- Doña MarianaTeacher who privately tutors David, hoping to advance his education.
- Sempere’s sonShy boy who helps his father tend David’s injuries.
- Doctor CamposPhysician who treats David’s wounds and advises on damaged teeth.
- Grey messengerAnonymous courier who delivers David’s late father’s revolver.
- GunmenAssassins who ambush and kill David’s father outside the newspaper.