The Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Contents
City of Shadows — Chapter 44
Overview
Daniel visits Nuria Monfort’s apartment after her funeral and finds her father, Isaac, devastated and full of regret over a lifetime of distance from his daughter. Isaac reveals Nuria came to him shortly before her death, fearful and unwilling to involve the police, and left an envelope meant for Daniel if anything happened. Isaac hands Daniel Nuria’s manuscript—her full story—setting up a major revelation thread as Daniel finally gains the testimony he has been searching for.
Summary
As night falls, Daniel returns to Plaza de San Felipe Neri and climbs to Nuria Monfort’s apartment, drawn by a dim candlelight in her window. Inside, he finds Nuria’s father, Isaac Monfort, sitting in the dark with a candle, silently grieving.
Isaac admits he never once visited Nuria in her home over fifteen years and regrets how he judged her life from a distance. Daniel tries to comfort him, but Isaac insists Daniel is too young to convincingly lie away a broken heart. Isaac also confirms he does not believe the police claim that Fermín killed Nuria.
Isaac then gives Daniel an envelope Nuria entrusted to him the afternoon before her death, asking that it be delivered to Daniel if “anything happened” and warning that the police were the last people she could go to. Isaac confesses he opened it anyway and read what was inside.
The envelope contains handwritten pages: Nuria’s story, the account Daniel has been seeking. Isaac tells Daniel the manuscript now belongs to him and asks to be left alone with Nuria’s memory, urging Daniel to “take great care.”
Daniel hurries home to Calle Santa Ana, where his father waits worriedly. Overcome, Daniel hugs him and says he loves him, then begins reading Nuria Monfort’s manuscript as the cathedral bells ring.
Who Appears
- Daniel SempereVisits Nuria’s apartment, receives her manuscript, comforts his father, begins reading her story.
- Isaac MonfortNuria’s grieving father; confesses regrets and delivers Nuria’s envelope and manuscript to Daniel.
- Nuria MonfortDeceased; her final manuscript and warning about the police drive the chapter’s revelation.
- Sempere (Daniel’s father)Waits anxiously at home; receives Daniel’s sudden embrace and confession of love.