I absolutely loved it. It was just like the one before, which also had a great impact on me.

What made it even more special was that I really didn't see it coming. The element of surprise added an extra layer of excitement and enjoyment.

It's those unexpected twists and turns that make a story or an experience truly memorable. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

I can't wait to see what else is in store. Maybe there will be more pleasant surprises that will continue to delight and amaze me.

This has definitely left me with a positive impression and a desire for more.

After a long hiatus from Goodreads, which was caused by circumstances beyond my control (specifically, work), we're finally back.

Kicking off this return is a Spanish version of a Dan Brown-esque book that was recommended by a colleague. This book combines art, history, and chess, and is written with excellent prose. It's the first fiction book I've read in over a year, and I had forgotten just how much I enjoy reading fiction.

The story immediately grabs your attention and takes you on a thrilling adventure through different time periods and locations. The author does an excellent job of weaving together the various elements of art, history, and chess to create a truly engaging and unique narrative.

As I read through the book, I found myself completely immersed in the story and the characters. I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. It was a great reminder of why I love reading fiction in the first place.

I'm looking forward to sharing more of my reading experiences with you all on Goodreads in the future. Stay tuned!

Well, that was just as good as I remembered. Everything I said below still holds true.

The tale may have felt a bit more heavy-handed this time, but I think that's only because I knew who the murderer was. As Sherlock Holmes says, "I only saw it because I knew what I was looking for." It didn't diminish the pleasure of the experience.

This re-read had me focusing a lot more on characterization. Since I didn't have to be obsessively caught up in the mystery, I could appreciate the beautiful way the author shows the importance of story. We create stories for ourselves each day and are reluctant to deviate from the character we've created. It's the dark side of too much education. If there's nothing new under the sun, then all that remains is to choose our own adventure to suit ourselves.

But yes, everyone I've recommended this to lately, I've checked on this, and I did not lead you astray! Feel free to proceed and enjoy!

* * * * *

Original Review: I discovered Arturo Perez-Reverte while in Paris on study abroad. This was incredibly unfortunate for me, as English language bookstores were limited, and my yen to read everything he's ever written became quite overwhelming. I still think fondly of that poor bookseller and his terrified expression when I would walk in every week and demand: "Reverte, s'il vous plait!"

But to the book itself. This book is very well constructed. From the beginning to the climax and the hushed end, everything felt exactly as it should be, without being dull or predictable. Reverte specializes in the "chamber mystery" genre, which I discovered is right up my alley. He's very good at playing mind games with his readers and challenging them to solve the mystery along with the characters. I was too distracted by the beauty of what was being constructed to really devote all my mental energy to solving the puzzle, though. I finished this book in a feverish 48 hours of non-stop reading. I could not put it down.

Perez-Reverte is capable of creating a feeling of quiet poetry in the events of his novel and his choices in where to take them next. His style is an homage to certain other genres, but he does it so gracefully and well that it not only translates into his own unique mixing of genres but also beautifully from the Spanish original. (With only minor mistakes that I think are the fault of the translator and not the writer's prose.)

This is what a well-told tale looks like.

La Tavola fiamminga è un libro davvero avvincente.

È ricco di colpi di scena che lasciano il lettore in continuo stato di tensione e desiderio di scoprire cosa succederà successivamente.

Il livello di suspence è elevato, mantenendo l'interesse dell'utente vivo fino all'ultima pagina.

La scrittura è assolutamente sublima, con una capacità di descrizione che permette al lettore di immaginare perfettamente le scene e i personaggi.

Ogni dettaglio è curato alla perfezione, contribuendo a creare un'atmosfera coinvolgente e autentica.

È un'opera letteraria che non solo cattura l'attenzione ma anche lascia un'impressione duratura sulla mente del lettore.

A curious idea, it was pleasant to read, but at the same time, for its era, it was quite typical (in terms of the plot, not the refinement of details) crime with history in the background. Once I devoured them by the handful.

This short text presents an interesting perspective on a particular work. It seems that the idea behind the story was engaging, making it an enjoyable read. However, it also acknowledges that in the context of its time, it was a rather common type of crime story with a historical backdrop. The author's admission of once voraciously consuming such works adds a personal touch and perhaps implies a certain nostalgia for that particular genre or style. It would be interesting to know more about the specific work being referred to and how it compares to other similar works from that era. Additionally, it might be worth exploring whether the lack of detail refinement detracts from the overall quality of the story or if it actually adds to its charm and authenticity.

It is an entertaining story in which the abilities of Pérez Reverte to create good mysteries and strong female characters can already be recognized. The chess and art as central themes compensate a little for a plot that does not quite come together. Nevertheless, it is quite enjoyable.

The story takes the reader on an exciting journey, filled with twists and turns that keep one on the edge of the seat. The author's skill in creating a sense of mystery is evident from the very beginning. The strong female characters add an extra dimension to the narrative, making it more engaging and interesting.

Although the plot may have some flaws, the overall experience of reading the story is still quite positive. The central themes of chess and art are explored in depth, providing the reader with a unique and fascinating perspective. Overall, it is a story that is well worth reading for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

"Flemish Master" is a very good and interesting criminal mystery! Its plot is masterfully intertwined around the mysterious messages of a painting by a 15th-century Flemish artist, related to a game of chess. The action in the novel takes place in Madrid at the end of the 20th century, and Reverte has engagingly told a dark, yet impactful story.

"— Do you never make mistakes?

Muñoz slowly moved his eyes from the painting to Julia. A distant trace of a sad smile measured his lips.

— Not when I play chess.

— How can you be so sure?

— When a person plays, countless possible situations arise before him. Sometimes the solutions are taken with the help of simple rules, and sometimes there is a need for other rules, with the help of which to decide which of the simple rules to apply. Completely unknown positions arise and you have to invent new rules that either include or exclude the previous ones. The only moment when a mistake is made is when one rule is chosen and another is rejected — the moment of choosing the option."

This exchange between Muñoz and Julia adds an element of mystery and depth to the story. It makes the reader wonder about the true nature of Muñoz's certainty and the implications it has for the unfolding mystery. The use of the chess analogy also serves to heighten the tension and complexity of the plot, as the game of chess is often seen as a metaphor for life and its many choices. Overall, "Flemish Master" is a captivating read that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

This is a murder mystery at its core. However, it is one that is so highly cerebral and intelligent that you might not even initially recognize it as such.

If you have a penchant for chess, it can be an added advantage. But truth be told, I find it hard to envision anyone not relishing this intellectual adventure.

It brings to mind the spirit of "The Eight", yet it lacks the fantasy elements that were present in that work.

This mystery challenges your mind, makes you think, and keeps you engaged from start to finish. It's a journey of wits and deductions, where every clue and every turn of the plot is a test of your intellectual prowess.

Whether you're a seasoned mystery enthusiast or just someone looking for a stimulating read, this murder mystery is sure to captivate and delight you.

So, pick up this book, let your mind run wild, and see if you can solve the mystery before the end.

I was truly excited when I began reading “The Flanders Panel” by Arturo Perez-Reverte. It is evident that he was rightfully awarded for his astutely memorable images and observations that are as artistic as painted works. He delves deep into philosophical metaphors that are definitely worth considering. However, my initial enthusiasm about uncovering a highly unique premise gradually dimmed, one overly idolized cigarette at a time.

Let's set aside the fact that Europeans smoke more than Canadians and the year 1990. The excessive and appallingly repetitive mentions of coffee cups and ashtrays on every page were simply overkill.

I profoundly admired Arturo’s vision of “The Game Of Chess” portrait and his explanation of why Flemish artists are great masters. They are able to transfer the tiniest details so accurately to real life, details that are unnoticed by most people, and as a result, their tableaux possess the stunning effect of appearing to breathe. I can vividly see the painting in my mind! I loved learning all about it, such as that Flanders is northern Belgium and paintings are catalogued as far back as 1471. The political and royal tie-ins also add credibility to the author’s research and depth.

However, aside from unravelling the meaning of this portrait, the “500-year-old mystery” that initially generated excitement had nothing to do with the 1990 crimes. Worse still, the identity and outcome not only fell flat in terms of intrigue but were improbably petty.

The gifted Arturo indulged far too much in creative leisure, which made it impossible to maintain any momentum. As a result, my interest had no chance of lasting. I endured such dragged-out wordiness in the hope of a reward in the form of an explosive revelation that might re-write fictional history. In the end, I must settle on awarding this book two stars. While it's nice for music to sound pretty, a story must address its main point. Segues and indulgences should never outweigh the crux, as this novel unfortunately did. Too little too late, we conclude with the second most exquisite description: “Beatrice” in the wind at 54.

This is an extremely excellent work, to the extent that I really can't find any fault with it at all.

It is a genuine Spanish mystery - full of drama, excitement, and captivating charm that is extremely enchanting.

The author begins the entire mystery with a vivid premise: he even creates an... a Renaissance painter, with his own history and style, just like the real one, which always amazes the whole world: you can try to Google the name of that painter, and I'm sure the information is extremely hazy and many people claim it to be true

I wanted so badly to love this book.

The simplest way to describe it is as the novelisation of Douglas Hofstadter's opus, "Godel, Escher, Bach." In fact, it is almost impossible to believe that Perez-Reverte had completed reading G.E.B. just more than ten minutes before furiously scribbling "The Flanders Panel."

I desired to love it because I have a great fondness for books that are based on puzzles and logic, and GEB might very well be one of my all-time favorite books.

However, the novel is just so feeble. The characters (are they caricatures?) were one-dimensional and absurd - how many times must we be told that one character was unbelievably suave or another became more beautiful with each passing moment. The dramatic tension never took hold, and it was extremely difficult to care whether any of them lived or died.

I suspect the author was aware that the book didn't quite work. Virtually every scene is filled with descriptions of how interesting, beautiful, or fascinating the characters or the scene was. The writing simply couldn't convey beauty effectively, so he resorted to using his labelmaker and applying an abundance of adjectives to ensure that you didn't overlook it.

If you have a passion for the concept of logical puzzles and playful minds, then by all means read "Godel Escher Bach." But leave "The Flanders Panel" sitting on the shelf.

I really wanted to like this book as the premise was truly outstanding.

However, I guess I wasn't quite the intellectual capable of understanding all the philosopher references, all the Latin, and, of course, the chess. Even though the chess-game-run-backwards was painstakingly explained at one point, it was still a challenge for this novice.

Moreover, the characters were not believable and seemed rather stereotyped. The author went to great lengths to describe one's beauty, one's sophistication, and so on, to the point of being nauseating. It had a great premise but poor characterization.

What did work was the description of the painting and the explanation of the 15th century mystery. It was interesting how one was made to feel as if inside the painting. But my interest waned when I found myself in the midst of a chess game. I guess if I had been a chess player, I would have liked that part more.

Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment despite the promising start.