Rating: 
Summary: Part One Of Two
Review: "The World At Night", is actually the first of a pair of books that tell the story of Jean Casson, a former movie producer who is faced with finding a way to survive the onset and extended occupation of Paris in World War II. France was not only divided into parts by the Germans, it was further sub-divided by a variety of groups that had their own agenda. Jean tries to maintain his life, and protects those he cares about, all the while coping with what it means to be a patriot.Alan Furst writes about a narrow by eventful time from 1933 to 1945. His books are meticulously accurate to the point they would pass inspection by many readers of history. The author takes an unusual step at the end of his books by sharing with readers his sources for the novels he creates. This is not done in an academic bibliography or a blizzard of footnotes, rather he writes conversationally about what he reads, and what he suggests as reading for those who are interested. In this first book Jean Casson will take part as a photographer during the short-lived French defense. He eventually finds himself taking on a task he believes will help France through his aiding the British. This is not a character that has a desire to be heroic; he seems to just want to find his place. Questions of what is honorable, and what constitutes loyalty constantly shadow him. In many ways he is the personification of the nation he lives in. He is conflicted to the point of pondering whether a barber who continues to cut hair during the war, including that of the German occupiers is a collaborator. At this level the question may appear simpler than the so-called larger issues, but the philosophical issue is the same. Jean is given the opportunity to escape to England and continue to work in some manner for France. As he makes his way to The English Channel he continues to torture himself with issues both political and personal. His final act and the justification for it will surprise many, and seem appropriate to others. Whatever you may feel at the close of the book, you will feel your time has been well spent.
Rating:
Summary: A compelling and satisfying read
Review: "The World At Night" was the first novel I've read by Alan Furst, and after reading it, I intend to read the rest of them. Most espionage thrillers are situated in some exotic or foreign locale, but offer little more than a brief explanation of the dot on the map where the characters are. Alan Furst gives you the details, the atmosphere, to make the place come alive. He gives you the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells. I enjoyed the story of Jean Casson, a resident of Paris whose life of casual affairs and pleasures is interrupted by the war, and who experiences the dilemmas that must have been common. In addition to being a master at creating atmosphere, Furst also knows how to keep the reader in suspense. His chapters describing Casson's flight across the border into Vichy, and his escape from the Gestapo, were especially gripping. Casson's choice of action at the novel's conclusion surprised and moved me. Overall, this was a most satisfying read. Mr. Furst, you have a new devoted reader.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice story gimmick, poor story plot.
Review: A good deal of this relatively short book held my interest for the scenery and mood presented by the author. When looking at a couple of his other books, I see that presenting a realistic atmosphere of World War II Europe is this writer's gimmick. He is quite good at it, and there are certainly worse schemes in vogue by various popular writers. I rate this book low, but not because it is so slow moving. I have enjoyed other books with a deliberate pace. My problem with the book is that the plot is not presented until about half way through the book. Even then, the climax registered as barely a ripple in the water. When I finished the book, I wondered where was the rest, and what was the point of telling the story. I understand from other reviewers that the writer has a sequel to possibly complete the story. The book would have been better if the two volumes had been combined. I doubt that I will invest in the second book.
Rating: 
Summary: Another atmospheric work from Furst
Review: Alan Furst has staked out his own particular place in the fictional literature of Europe around the time of World War II. His characters, sometime Central Europeans, sometime Frenchmen, are those caught up in the maelstrom and turbulence of the war. We see ordinary people exposed to moral ambiguities, and decisions must be made which are life-changing. There is heroism and cowardice, love and fear, and all the other panoply of emotions involved when the usual way of life is overtaken by war and violence. The characters are exceptionally finely drawn, and the writing is such that you want to finish the book at one sitting to find out how it ends. Now that this one is done, I'll be starting its sequel, for I really care about the characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Comic book attempt at Greene territory
Review: Alan Furst is no Graham Greene, and nowhere does this become more apparent than at the end of this silly, often trite book. Up until the ending, Furst tries so hard (too hard?) to achieve all that came as second nature in Greene's "entertainments." In each chapter here we get at least five mentions of "the shape of the world now" or "how big the world now is," etc. The characters are thin and interchangeable, and the frustrating translation of every simple French statement shows who this book is really geared towards. High schoolers.
Rating: 
Summary: Indeed, not his best.
Review: But a worthy effort. I like Mr. Furst's description of
occupied France. >Spoiler< I don't believe Casson's escape from
the Gestapo, and I'm disappointed by his "escape" from the
people trying to get him out of France at the end of the
book. A lot of people put their fictional lives on the line
to get him to England, and he can't stand leaving his
girlfriend. Typical Frenchman, LoL. Sorry, just had to say it.
Again, though, the descriptive writing is first-rate, I think.
Rating:
Summary: Indeed, not his best.
Review: But a worthy effort. I like Mr. Furst's description of
occupied France. >Spoiler< I don't believe Casson's escape from
the Gestapo, and I'm disappointed by his "escape" from the
people trying to get him out of France at the end of the
book. A lot of people put their fictional lives on the line
to get him to England, and he can't stand leaving his
girlfriend. Typical Frenchman, LoL. Sorry, just had to say it.
Again, though, the descriptive writing is first-rate, I think.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely Not One of his Best.
Review: Certainly not one of his best. For the life of me I couldn't quite understand what drove Jean Casson to do what he did, other than vague patriotism. Adept at re-creating Pre-WWII and WWII Europe in his other novels, Furst falls flat in this one. Casson seems to wander through the book from one liason to another. The German occupation is in some instances, a minor backdrop, to Casson's search for love and/or sex. The ending was very disappointing to me. Being written by Furst, it is readable, which is why I've given it three stars. If you are new to Furst, you would be better off to start with another of his novels (Red Star, Polish Officer, Night Soldiers) to really get a true taste of his capabilities. If you are already a fan, like myself, you'll probably want to get it to round out your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Good read, but not Furst's best
Review: Furst brings 1930s Europe alive and I will continue to read all his books, but still found it vaguely unsatisfying compared to Dark Star & Night Soldiers or even Polish Officer.
Rating:
Summary: Furst's Weakest
Review: Furst's fourth WWII espionage novel is heavy on atmosphere but virtually plotless, and is disappointingly left to be finished in his next book, Red Gold. All his books feature loner male protagonists, and here the subject is Jean Casson, a midrange French film producer. In his early 40s, Casson is a somewhat hedonistic bon vivant, and as life comes to a momentary standstill during the initial weeks of occupation, he struggles to keep himself fed and clothed. One gets the distinct sense that Casson is supposed to be somewhat emblematic of a certain type or even France, rather than a distinctive character unto himself. A somewhat empty womanizing type, without the courage of any convictions, but with expensive tastes, Casson is recruited to help the resistance. It's a third of the way into the book, by the time this happens though, and-unlike in other of Furst's books-the intelligence aspect never picks up any momentum. As amateur intelligence operation, Casson is mediocre at best, and it's never really clear why he agrees to help. The perhaps reflects a certain aspect of France at the time, the desire to retain honor, but without having to do too much hard work, or put oneself into too dangerous a situation. At the same time his espionage work starts, he rekindles an old relationship that is perhaps his one true love. This never transcends the generic potboiler romance level, and fails to add any depth to what little story there is. As in all of Furst's writing, the book is rich in detail when in comes to occupied Europe, one really gets the vibe of the cafés, restaurants, and street life in Paris. However, the espionage angle develops rather confusingly and almost randomly, resulting in a rather convoluted anticlimactic finale, which includes a ridiculous escape scene. This weakness is only further exacerbated by the book's abrupt end-why this brief story and Red Gold were split into two books is both annoying a bit of a mystery. The result is that this book is probably the weakest of Furst's espionage oeuvre.
|
