Gustavo Barceló Character Analysis in The Shadow of the Wind

Don Gustavo is a much more prosperous friend and colleague of Mr. Sempere. He takes an early interest in Daniel, allows him the run of his house and library, and swoops in to help him when he’s in over his head with Fumero. Don Gustavo is a more powerful and well-connected father figure than Daniel’s own father, but it’s important that Daniel doesn’t embrace these advantages entirely, remaining loyal to his humble origins and the man who raised him.

Gustavo Barceló Character Timeline in The Shadow of the Wind

The timeline below shows where the character Gustavo Barceló appears in The Shadow of the Wind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Mr. Sempere decides to consult his prosperous and connected colleague Gustavo Barceló. Barceló owns a huge bookstore which he finances with his inherited industrial fortune, and he... (full context)

After examining the book, Barceló smiles icily and demands to know where Daniel found it, although Daniel won’t divulge the... (full context)

Possessive and Obsessive Love Theme Icon

The next day, Daniel sets off to the Ateneo library to find Barceló. He finds the collector seated next to a woman dressed in white who looks like... (full context)

Barceló introduces the woman as his niece, Clara, who is an “expert” on Carax. He scuttles... (full context)

...of their shared love of literature and to alleviate her loneliness and sense of loss. Barceló returns with the book, and Daniel offers to return the next day and read a... (full context)

Daniel returns home from Barceló’s house preoccupied. When Mr. Sempere asks what he’s thinking about, he answers, “the war.” Daniel... (full context)

...the sinister stranger. That afternoon, he puts on his Sunday clothes and walks to the Barceló house, where he’s greeted by the kind maid, Bernarda. The apartment seems palatial compared to... (full context)

...she was alone in the street, a stranger approached her and started asking questions about Barceló and Daniel. When she touched his face, it felt like a leather mask. Daniel doesn’t... (full context)

...who pities his motherless state. She’s from an abusive family in a provincial town, but Barceló has taken her in and taught her to behave like a refined city maid. She... (full context)

For his sixteenth birthday, Daniel decides to throw a dinner party, inviting only Barceló, Clara, and Bernarda. Mr. Sempere thinks it’s a bad idea and that they won’t come,... (full context)

On the night of the party, Mr. Sempere cooks an enormous dinner, but Barceló has to leave town for a business trip and Clara says that she has a... (full context)

Daniel takes Fermín to the Barceló home in a taxi, worrying that he will die on the way. A doctor and... (full context)

After the doctor leaves, Barceló calls Mr. Sempere to say that Fermín has had a “minor accident” and is recuperating... (full context)

Barceló listens attentively to most of Daniel’s story. Then they check on Fermín, who is recuperating... (full context)

Barceló says they will need his help and connections to solve the mystery before Fumero catches... (full context)

Barceló arrives and announces he’s been to visit Don Fonseca, an employee at the city morgue... (full context)

...remaining copy of The Shadow of the Wind in the hands of a young boy. Barceló had been bragging about his discovery of the book, and Carax comes to respect Daniel... (full context)

...up in the hospital to find Mr. Sempere, Bea, and Fermín standing guard over him. Barceló, Clara, Tomás, Bernarda, and their neighbors arrive soon after. Mr. Sempere has brought Daniel’s fountain... (full context)

Barceló has sold his own bookshop and now devotes himself to reprinting editions of Carax’s work,... (full context)