Rating: 
Summary: plausible and entertaining, if somewhat plodding
Review: Perhaps more true to the facts of the film than the facts of history, Michael Walsh does a good job of tying up loose ends and presenting a plausible storyline to continue the classic WWII era film. Walsh did his homework in analyzing the details of Rick, Ilsa, Renault and Victor Lazlo's pasts, and I don't think the blame for his inability to really pin down their personalities can be laid entirely at his doorstep - after all, the script of the film had been worked on by many different hands, the characters themselves were inconsistent in the film (which actually contributed a sense of realism), and much of the characters' backgrounds and motivations were left to the viewer's imagination. The book involves an assassinatin plot on famous Nazi Reinhard Heidrich, who is tall, slender, handsome, and elegant in this fiction, unlike the wide-hipped large-bottomed homely Heidrich of historical reality. And while Walsh casts him as a Hitler admirer, historically it is probably more accurate to say that Heidrich resented the Feuhrer, viewing himself as more qualified to lead the nation. There is some speculation that Hitler felt Heidrich a threat, and in fact Heidrich's widow swears that he was recovering nicely from the bombing, when Hitler put him in the care of his private physician, followed shortly thereafter by Heidrich's death. All this aside, 'though, the book is an entertaining read (if not exactly a page-burner) for those who long for another story with the familiar cast and crew of one of the most beloved films of all time.
Rating: 
Summary: All nay sayers...
Review: Please do yourselves a favor and LISTEN to this book on tape. I'll guarantee your opinion of As Time Goes By WILL change (and perhaps earn Walsh more well deserved stars). Herrmann and Redgrave do a fantastic job with the characters of this terrific story. They put so much life into the characters of this novel, you'll swear you're watching the rest of the movie. I enjoyed this book very, very much and began listening right after TCMs Christmas showing of Casablanca in Dec. of '04.
Thanks Michael, Edward, Lynn, and the producers of this fantastic book on tape. A job well done!
Rating: 
Summary: End of a beautiful friendship
Review: This book is similar to the first fifteen minutes of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," in which all of Indy's quirks are explained down to the scar on his chin. Only in this case, it's not funny, or even fun. Walsh gets the characters' flaws correct, but completely misses their strengths -- especially Renault and Victor Laszlo, who seem to be completely different people here. He also removes the nobility from both Rick and Ilsa, making their sacrifices vain in both senses of the word.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimately unsatisfying
Review: This book serves as a prequel and sequel to a film classic. Perhaps THE film classic of all time. Why would such a book be necessary? ****The answer relies on three things. First of all, "Casablanca" is a story that the audience fell into. A wealth of backstory exists that we only caught glimpses of. Second, the audience has an innate desire to know that Rick and Ilsa see each other again. Third, a film sequel is no longer possible with its original players (principally Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains). The book allows their irreplaceable images to remain intact while giving the characters new things to do. ****Walsh is mildly successful in not making a complete travesty of his assignment. He picks up on hints imbedded in "Casablanca." From Rick's comment to the Nazis that there are certain sections of New York they shouldn't try to invade, Walsh rumminates that Richard Blaine was originally Yitzhak Baline, a Jewish gangster and speakeasy manager in New York. ****Louis Renault's curiosity and remarks about Rick's past is also useful: "Did you abscond with the church funds? Did you run off with the Senator's wife? I like to think that you killed a man -- it's the romantic in me." In the film, Rick replies that it was a combination of all three reasons and Walsh draws on that idea as well. ****The down side to this novel involves the characters of Victor Lazlo and Ilsa. Victor carries on like a self-righteous man blinded by "the cause" and revenge. Walsh has Ilsa go undercover in an attempt to portray her as more active in the war intrigue and her destiny. However good the intent, the scenario plays out poorly. ****"As Time Goes By" does give food for the imagination -- if only how you would've written a better story. But you can easily live your life without ever reading Walsh's book. The best advice, really, is to see "Casablanca" again. The original never disappoints.
| 
