In the Blue Light of African Dreams [Paperback]

Paul Watkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1998

Shot down over Europe in 1918, decorated American pilot Charlie Halifax believes his luck has finally abandoned him. Disfigured and demoralized, he deserts from France's famed Lafayette Escadrille, only to be captured, convicted, and sentenced to twenty years in the Foreigh Legion. He serves in Africa, where, along with a motley group of convicts and outcasts, Halifax is forced to fly illegal arms shipments to the very tribesmen they have been sent to fight. But a dream keeps Halifax alive even as his companions fall to harm or misery-the relentless determination to become the first pilot to fly nonstop from Paris to New York.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An aviator mired in the Foreign Legion stays alive by dreaming the impossible in this exquisitely understated adventure.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

As in his novels Night Over Day Over Night ( LJ 4/1/88) and Calm at Sunset, Calm at Dawn (LJ 9/1/89), Watkins writes compellingly from experience--in this case, flying a bi-plane over the Sahara. The story itself is based on actual events. In 1926 American pilot Charlie Halifax and his Russian mechanic Ivan, serving in the Foreign Legion in Morocco, dream of their White Whale, the Orteig Prize for the first person to fly nonstop from Paris to New York. But Halifax had deserted from the French air force in the war when shot down and wounded, and he finances his venture with loot from his unscrupulous Legion commandant, Serailler. Can free will master fate this way? This Ahab dreams in blue, but in his daylight transatlantic flight the issues of good and evil finally determine whether or not he succeeds. Recommended.
- Kenneth Mintz, formerly with Bayonne P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Picador; 1 edition (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312181132
• ISBN-13: 978-0312181130
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,034,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Phoenix defined., May 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Blue Light of African Dreams (Paperback)

A great read. The main character finds peace at the end of his lengthy journey. Watkins posesses a wonderful feel for use of symbolism in flight and the exotic landscape of Morrocco and France. A powerful journey from nothing to rebirth. In the Blue Light...possess great imagery and movement of time.

Never have I thought I could identify with a pilot from World War I. Much like Robinson Carusoe, Charlie Halifax, pushed towards the end of his moral and isolational limits, has estblished a friendship with a foreigner friend, becoming travel partners, like Crosby and Hope. Halifax remained passaionate yet myopic on his goal until the end, finally realizing new horizons lay ahead.

This book is every bite as unique as his Archangel. Also look for Peter Gadol novels.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting "read" that takes you into new territory, May 12, 1998

By 

Richard Kurtz (NYC<P>NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Blue Light of African Dreams (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book --found it an interesting read, though it did remind me, in parts, of The English Patient. The characters were quite well drawn out and I look forward to reading other books by Paul Watkins (which is why I am here at the site to begin with).

4.0 out of 5 stars a great read, a wonderful adventure, May 7, 2010

By 

Steven G. Galindo (houston, texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Blue Light of African Dreams (Paperback)

I have a unique relationship with this book. I first found it in a box at a book sale at my local library. I bought it and shelved it for a few years. Then I volunteered to read at Reading for the Blind, and picked this one for no particular reason. It was approved and I read it. Man, the response was incredible! Many people called in and wrote in to say they loved the story. Then I misplaced the book, and lost it. I even forgot the title! Soemthing about "african" and "blue". I searched for three years before finally getting some help with the title last night from a friend on the internet. Now I have found it again! It's like being reunited with an old friend you love!

Watkins does a wonderful job of putting you in the story so you feel what his protagonist, Halifax feels. You will thoroughly enjoy this novel. It is good story-telling and a marvelous adventure. I wish someone would turn it into a film. Honestly, this story has haunted me ever since I misplaced the book. A great read!