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Midnight in Europe A Novel Alan Furst Books

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Midnight in Europe A Novel Alan Furst Books

“Real war was coming, this was merely the overture.” That is the timing and the mood board that Furst imaginatively and cunningly portrays in his series of espionage stories. I first discovered the author’s work in the gift shop of the Spy Museum in Washington (definitely worth a visit). Quickly devouring the seven written to that time I have been a fan ever since and have kept apace with his prolific output.

That fandom has been gained in a variety of ways. I enjoy his blend of real history and the one he richly imagines. It is blend that by the end seams seamless (was that not a horribly written sentence?). Another thing he does exceedingly well is a few side treats. What I mean is he tosses in a few meaty history tidbits. In this outing, Furst shares the bizarre story of Jacques Lebaudy. Read this book and look that tale up, as well as, the fact that Spanish convents once baked pastry so certain delights were named “saint’s bones”, “nuns’ breasts”, and “nuns’ farts”.

Midnight in Europe deals with The Spanish Civil War, a significant conflict and a proxy for World War Two. Stalin and Hitler pulled strings while the soon-to-be Western Allies twiddled thumbs, hoped for the best, and barely stuck a toe in the water. The civil war is fascinating as is Spain’s role in the bigger conflict. Furst hints that a deal was struck by all parties for Franco’s “neutrality” proving that conspiracies will always abound.

This novel was particularly satisfying due to the main character named Christian Ferrar. He is a Spanish émigré to Paris, a lawyer with deep and wide connection, and a man with ethics and honor that bend so accurately for the times. He favors the left-leaning Republican cause and, when called on, employs his professional and natural talents to acquire arms for that struggling army. The losing brigades needed anything they could get their hands on. As Furst explains, the Republicans were using 49 types of repeating rifle, 41 different automatic weapons and 60 kinds of artillery (I cannot believe there were that many types of big gun throughout Europe).

When Furst deploys Ferrar to Nazi Germany the setting and atmosphere are as surreal as it really must have been. While in cab the character witnesses Berlin Zookeepers goose-stepping because that is what Nazis do. He also nails the ubiquity and ineptitude of Soviet bureaucracy. Neither dictatorship escapes the author’s pen.

I passionately recommend this Furst. He has returned to form and thankfully provides the story of Table 14 (become a fan and you will know what I mean).


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Midnight in Europe A Novel Alan Furst Books Reviews

Midnight in Europe is an enjoyable pre war novel from Mr. Furst. His main character is a Spanish born French lawyer drawn into efforts to supply arms to the Spanish Republic in the waning months of the Spanish Civil War. As always in Furst's novels, he does a great job bringing to life the pre war period. The minor characters and events are carefully presented and are as interesting as the main plot - as everyone prepares for the inevitable war. I particularly liked the fact that Furst had his main character working at the real life French-American law firm Coudert Brothers (which survived the war and continued through the 90s). That was a nice touch. I also appreciate that Furst takes the time in each of his books to develop new characters. It would have been easy to succumb to the temptation to crank out multiple books following the same people through different plots (Book #8 in The Prewar Novels)- but Furst rewards his fans with a new cast of characters in each book.
I have read each of the Furst novels and been disappointed each time in comparing the depth of his characterizations and intricacies of his plots to those of John Le Carre and others who deal with international intrigue. There is always plenty of atmosphere and detail, often more detail by way of explanation than any reasonably well-informed person might need. This latest work impresses me as lacking continuity and suspense. The characters are not, in my judgment, deeply drawn. There are requisite sex scenes, generally well done. But as an earlier reviewer noted, Mr. Furst may have reached the point of creative fatigue. This one reader believes Furst's reputation is wildly inflated. Finally, how does so seriously intentioned a writer persist in endless comma splices, independent sentences joined by commas rather than semi=colons or periods? That fundamental writing error was rewarded with an instant F both in my student and in my teaching days. Where have all the editors gone?
Worse thing -I guess- anyone can feel about a book is indifference. From the author of "Dark Star", "Night Soldiers", "The Polish Officer", just to name 3 of Furst's outstanding work, to "Midnight in Europe" there is the steepest drop. Furst has apparently run out of magic. Shallowness I believe would correctly characterize "Midnight...". Implausible -at times childish- twists, meaningless dialogue on occasions, predictable denouements... . The author rushes what is in itself a flimsy narrative, choosing -for what reason?- to leave us "in the dark" about two or three of his potentially interesting characters, elements approached superficially. And the lessons in history, masterfully woven into the intriguing fabric of almost everything Furst has written up until now, are nowhere to be found. Only one redeeming aspect, in my estimation his inclusion and description of the vyzsla, a mostly unknown breed of dog here in America, a national symbol in Hungary and a treat to own.
“Real war was coming, this was merely the overture.” That is the timing and the mood board that Furst imaginatively and cunningly portrays in his series of espionage stories. I first discovered the author’s work in the gift shop of the Spy Museum in Washington (definitely worth a visit). Quickly devouring the seven written to that time I have been a fan ever since and have kept apace with his prolific output.

That fandom has been gained in a variety of ways. I enjoy his blend of real history and the one he richly imagines. It is blend that by the end seams seamless (was that not a horribly written sentence?). Another thing he does exceedingly well is a few side treats. What I mean is he tosses in a few meaty history tidbits. In this outing, Furst shares the bizarre story of Jacques Lebaudy. Read this book and look that tale up, as well as, the fact that Spanish convents once baked pastry so certain delights were named “saint’s bones”, “nuns’ breasts”, and “nuns’ farts”.

Midnight in Europe deals with The Spanish Civil War, a significant conflict and a proxy for World War Two. Stalin and Hitler pulled strings while the soon-to-be Western Allies twiddled thumbs, hoped for the best, and barely stuck a toe in the water. The civil war is fascinating as is Spain’s role in the bigger conflict. Furst hints that a deal was struck by all parties for Franco’s “neutrality” proving that conspiracies will always abound.

This novel was particularly satisfying due to the main character named Christian Ferrar. He is a Spanish émigré to Paris, a lawyer with deep and wide connection, and a man with ethics and honor that bend so accurately for the times. He favors the left-leaning Republican cause and, when called on, employs his professional and natural talents to acquire arms for that struggling army. The losing brigades needed anything they could get their hands on. As Furst explains, the Republicans were using 49 types of repeating rifle, 41 different automatic weapons and 60 kinds of artillery (I cannot believe there were that many types of big gun throughout Europe).

When Furst deploys Ferrar to Nazi Germany the setting and atmosphere are as surreal as it really must have been. While in cab the character witnesses Berlin Zookeepers goose-stepping because that is what Nazis do. He also nails the ubiquity and ineptitude of Soviet bureaucracy. Neither dictatorship escapes the author’s pen.

I passionately recommend this Furst. He has returned to form and thankfully provides the story of Table 14 (become a fan and you will know what I mean).