2007 Audie Award Finalist for Thriller/Suspense
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"Another good espionage thriller from the reigning master (Pre-second World War sub-genre). With Robert B. Parker gone, Furst is my only remaining guilty pleasure. And not so very guilty, as his novels are smart and well plotted with excellent characters. I particularly liked the focus in this book on Italian emigres and the Spanish Civil War vignette was excellent. Like some of his other recent novels, the ending was sort of quick and abrupt, but we all know what happened after September 1940 anyway, and the idea that none of his characters will escape what is to come elevates a bit the sudden end of the stories. Actually, the reader's knowledge of what is to come adds a melancholy feeling to the action." — Alan (4 out of 5 stars)
"Another good espionage thriller from the reigning master (Pre-second World War sub-genre). With Robert B. Parker gone, Furst is my only remaining guilty pleasure. And not so very guilty, as his novels are smart and well plotted with excellent characters. I particularly liked the focus in this book on Italian emigres and the Spanish Civil War vignette was excellent. Like some of his other recent novels, the ending was sort of quick and abrupt, but we all know what happened after September 1940 anyway, and the idea that none of his characters will escape what is to come elevates a bit the sudden end of the stories. Actually, the reader's knowledge of what is to come adds a melancholy feeling to the action."
“Furst delivers edgy eloquence and menace lurking everywhere in the night and fog. With each new book the number of devotees grows, and critics acclaim anew that he’s the best espionage writer in the world. That sounds about right.”
America's preeminent spy novelist.
“Furst excels at period atmosphere, which he conjures up, not with a litany of facts absorbed and reproduced, but with light touches that suggest the broader scene. His characters are wonderfully human: complex and ambiguous, fearful and determined, but people who, when need be, can gather their courage and do what needs to be done. Mr. Furst is a subtle, economical writer who knows precisely when to stop a sentence.”
“You could call Furst’s genre ‘literary espionage,’ and he infuses it with painterly description, nuanced dialogue, and elegant turns of phrase…Weisz, Ferrara, Kolb, and many others, playing parts large or small in a perilous hour of human history, make for splendid company.”
“Furst’s reputation as one of today’s best writers, in any genre, is further solidified by this gripping historical thriller with echoes of Graham Greene…Furst excels at characterization…A potent portrait of Europe on the eve of WWII.”
" A gloomy world war II journalist slowly being entangled in the resistance movement. A gripping idea but I need more than an idea to call a book good. "
" great book about prewar europe "
" Rented from Recorded Books "
" as ever, 4 stars for the good read. "
" This was a well-written book that has received a lot of praise, but I found it a little slow. It did pick up toward the end but it didn't really hold my interest... "
" I had a very hard time getting into this book. There were too many characters to keep track of and I was not fond of the author's writing. "
" 1938 in France with antifascist journalist...great writing and great ending. "
" My first Furst (say that 3 times fast...) and I loved it! Really atmospheric and a pre-war time period. "
" THIS BOOK WAS OK BUT I COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF IT WAS LONGER! "
" It took a bit to get into, but eventually it started clipping along. I think it helped that as the book progressed, the writing seemed to get a bit more concise. "
" Great spy novel set in Europe during the late 1930's, journalists working under cover in Paris supporting the anti-facist movement in Italy. Well written, fun read. Plot was good but I was a little disappointed with the ending. "
" A little slower than some of his better work. Still excellent "
" Excellent and atmospheric "
" Took me a while to get going. I guess this is not my favorite genre. But overall a decent read. "
" I had to go back & listen to parts of this book more than once. I think Furst is a good writer, but listening to a book with non-English names is a little difficult. And I usually listen to books at night when I am tired. But I will READ more of Furst's spy novels as I think he is a good writer. "
" A slightly lighter tone adds pace to the story, a tale that gets you thinking about how being right only matters if you survive to tell the truth. "
" A pretty good, standard spy novel set in Europe just prior to the start of WWII. Not too action-packed (I was surprised by this), but this definitely held my attention - and made me want to go back to Paris! "
" Nice, atmospheric. Ending kind of sappy... felt like a cop out. "
" atmospheric, but seemed too much like a twenty-something fantasy set in WWII "
" Great espionage story: Romantic, adventurous with lots of intrigue in pre-WWII Genoa, Berlin and Paris. I like his stories! "
" Minimal plot but exceptional Resistance in Paris atmospherics. "
" Spies in Paris and Berlin in 1938 and 1939 "
" Slow, internal spy novel set in Paris/Europe (though locations barely important - no scenic vistas here) during lead-in to WW2. Some repetitive writing, but generally intriguing, if not gripping. "
" I liked it a lot, like the author. Almost all of his books take place around WWII in Europe, this one is primarily in Paris about 1939. "
" A very good book. The author creates a great atmosphere, filled with suspense. I enjoyed another of his novels, BLOOD OF VICTORY, also set in pre/early WWII, a few years ago. I must find more of his work. "
" A bit too much romance. But what I really minded was the following phrase referring to Molotov-Ribbentrop pact: "French and British swains sang to the Soviet maiden in the enchanted forest, but she only giggled and ran away. Towards Germany". That's just vulgar. "
" First I read from Furst....impressive...because on top of the great story was the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War told from Paris by Italian ex pats....what a tumble!! The Sun also Rises type flavor "
" Poor development of characters and very slow moving make this hard to keep reading. Ending unsatisfactory in pulling threads of story to a conclusion. "
Alan Furst is widely recognized as the master of the historical spy novel. He is the author of Night Soldiers, Dark Star, The Polish Officer, The World at Night, and others. He has written for a number of magazines and news publications, including Esquire and the International Herald Tribune. Before becoming a full-time novelist, he worked as a copy writer for ad agencies in Seattle; he has also lived in New York and France. Currently, Furst lives on Long Island, New York.
Alfred Molina is an actor and winner of numerous Earphones Awards for audiobook narration. His films include Spiderman II, Frida, Magnolia, Chocolat, Boogie Nights, The Perez Family, Maverick, Enchanted April, Not Without My Daughter, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Prick Up Your Ears. He has appeared extensively on British and American television, including the TV series Bram & Alice and Ladies’ Man. He received a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Art on Broadway. He also performed on Broadway in Molly Sweeney and in Speed the Plow for the National Theatre in London.
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