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heritage's review against another edition
2.0
After the Germans occupied France in World War II, small groups of French citizens formed a resistance. This is the story of one such group who specialized in getting downed British pilots out of France and back to England to bomb another day.
This novel can be summed up in three words: Alan Furst lite. His last two novels had already shown a noticeable dropping off in quality, but this one is the worst one he's written yet. It lacks any sense of suspense or intrigue, and even the most interesting of aspects that he may have delved into before are just given cursory attention. Either Furst has lost interest, he's running out of things to write, or his age is starting to catch up with him. There's a slight rally as the end draws to a close, and kudos to him for trying something a little different, but it can't save this dreary story.
If anyone is interested, Furst's peak was anything published between 1995 and 2006, inclusive. It may even stretch back a little further, but I haven't read the two he published before 1995. I'd say he's just coasting on his reputation now. I may have to rethink whether I'll read his next one or not. From my point of view, he's now on literary probation.
This novel can be summed up in three words: Alan Furst lite. His last two novels had already shown a noticeable dropping off in quality, but this one is the worst one he's written yet. It lacks any sense of suspense or intrigue, and even the most interesting of aspects that he may have delved into before are just given cursory attention. Either Furst has lost interest, he's running out of things to write, or his age is starting to catch up with him. There's a slight rally as the end draws to a close, and kudos to him for trying something a little different, but it can't save this dreary story.
If anyone is interested, Furst's peak was anything published between 1995 and 2006, inclusive. It may even stretch back a little further, but I haven't read the two he published before 1995. I'd say he's just coasting on his reputation now. I may have to rethink whether I'll read his next one or not. From my point of view, he's now on literary probation.
banjax451's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars (because Goodreads won't let you do half stars)
I love Alan Furst. His prose and his characters are absolute delights. But a pattern has come around on Furst. Every other year, he releases a new novel. Each novel is about 230 pages or so and each seems to be even less substantial than the last. Don't get me wrong...the fantastic characters are still present. The setting is still wonderful. The prose is masterful. Nobody writes throw-away side characters that come alive like Alan Furst does - he'll expend multiple pages on a character who has only a very small role in the book (such as the Polish pilot), but those sections are incredible...the characters memorable.
But his novels have become more rote repetition every other year. This one doesn't conclude so much as it simply stops. He gets to about page 210 and then everything wraps up. A character who seemed fascinating (Daniel) appears to have a lengthy setup early in the book and then gets a few paragraphs at the end to "wrap up" the character. I couldn't help but think, reading A Hero of France, "What is the point of this book?" Was the point to say something about French resistance? Because it didn't really do that. Was it to tell the story of a cell? Okay...except that that's in all of his novels. Was it to examine anything about the era, because I couldn't really see him breaking any ground he hasn't already trod.
I love his fiction. I really do. But maybe he needs to take 4 or 5 years between his next novel...and this time, put together something memorable. I'd rather a longer time between books than yet another book that trods over the same ground.
I love Alan Furst. His prose and his characters are absolute delights. But a pattern has come around on Furst. Every other year, he releases a new novel. Each novel is about 230 pages or so and each seems to be even less substantial than the last. Don't get me wrong...the fantastic characters are still present. The setting is still wonderful. The prose is masterful. Nobody writes throw-away side characters that come alive like Alan Furst does - he'll expend multiple pages on a character who has only a very small role in the book (such as the Polish pilot), but those sections are incredible...the characters memorable.
But his novels have become more rote repetition every other year. This one doesn't conclude so much as it simply stops. He gets to about page 210 and then everything wraps up. A character who seemed fascinating (Daniel) appears to have a lengthy setup early in the book and then gets a few paragraphs at the end to "wrap up" the character. I couldn't help but think, reading A Hero of France, "What is the point of this book?" Was the point to say something about French resistance? Because it didn't really do that. Was it to tell the story of a cell? Okay...except that that's in all of his novels. Was it to examine anything about the era, because I couldn't really see him breaking any ground he hasn't already trod.
I love his fiction. I really do. But maybe he needs to take 4 or 5 years between his next novel...and this time, put together something memorable. I'd rather a longer time between books than yet another book that trods over the same ground.
jefecarpenter's review against another edition
3.0
A good story; not his very best writing, but still refreshing, inventive in its details, and full of a sense of honor and well-being.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
2.0
The writing was bland and I couldn't connect to any of the characters. Although there were rescues and missions, there was really no action or adventure. I am fascinated by this period in history and have loved other books I've read about the resistance that fought to get downed pilots out of occupied territory. PErhaps this writer's style is just not for me.
thereaderintherye's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
mglady's review against another edition
2.0
This book was kind of hard for me to get through. I get the intrigue but it just wasn’t for me. Didn’t connect with the characters and I did not like the style of 3 large chapters.
rojo25's review against another edition
3.0
Historically interesting spy thriller about the French Resistance in Nazi occupied Paris. I liked it.
tinareynolds's review against another edition
3.0
Decent read. Clipped along well. Wasn't very involved in any of the characters. Would definitely read the others.
p3rian's review against another edition
1.0
The story is more engagingly and articulately told by Kristen Hannah in “The Nightingale”.