Customer Reviews

Red Gold

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read the paperback edition of this book, which lead me to read this sequel prior to reading the first book. There is no location on the outside of the book that explains this is a sequel. The positive news is that the story is self-contained and while it references the past it does not rely on it for this book to read well. I did read the first book, "The World At Night", and except for the dates the book is still enjoyable if partially compromised by having been read out of sequence. I don't see why a simple notation could not have identified the book as a sequel.

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.

Our former film producer Jean Casson has transformed from a man without a positive idea of what he supports, to a man who now seems to get in the midst of everything. He also has lost any illusion of safety as he was taken to visit the Gestapo, and their interest in him has not declined.

Casson's relationships with actors and other support personnel for his pre-war movies brought him in contact with a variety of political agendas that were of little interest to him at the time, and that now have become relationships that can get a person killed for real or imagined activities. His uncertainty about what constituted honorable conduct, and what loyalty means in wartime were all explored in the first book. In this sequel the lines have at once become all to clear, even as they are vague. Is a friend's politics prior to the war a reason to help them, to look the other way, or to promise to maintain silence in return for his own safety?

In the first book Jean made a decision that set his future decisively in one area, and as the war progresses his environs become all the more lethal, and the reliability of relationships all the more questionable. There seems to be no end to those who would befriend him for his help, the question also remains how many of the same would turn him in without a moments thought.

Alan Furst once again has written a fine book, and I look forward to the final two that are to be published later this year.

I read Red Gold just after finishing World at Night. The occupation has not yet ended at the finish of Red Gold. Casson has grown wiser and now is more dangerous as he is called upon to contribute more to the resistance. Furst does an excellent job recreating the sense of desperation among the French. In Red Gold the Germans begin to lose some of the bravura that they exhibited in World at Night. The exploits of Casson and his compatriots make for a great read. The suspense is created in a subtle manner which prevents this book from being what I consider a page-turner. Well worth the visit.

I was so impressed with, "The World at Night," that I had to immediately read, "Red Gold." "Red Gold," unfortunately, doesn't compare with "World." I certainly wish it did, because I was completely captivated by the first installment of the Casson story. I hope Furst continues and follows Casson on throughout the war. He's a compelling protagonist and Furst is a masterful storyteller. I've not read anyone who can recreate a time and period better than he can.

Furst should consider writing another book or two with Casson. I love this character. He is a reluctant hero. What I enjoy about Furst's characters are their ambiguity, none of them are moralists.

After the first twenty pages of "World," I was hooked in, but I never felt that way with "Red Gold." I read it through, but never felt the book was fully realized. I agree with a previous reviewer, who said, that Furst was going through the motions. I felt that a bit too. Having said that though, Furst is such a fine writer, that it really is a quibble, overall he's one of the best writing in this genre.

I suspect when a person reads any Alan Furst book, he is left with the feeling that some insane person has ripped out the last hundred pages or so. And so it is with 'Red Gold'. Furst is a master of atmosphere and characterization, but always seems to me to be a bit wanting in plotting. That said, I consider myself an enormous fan of Furst's. This book centers around Jean Casson, a down-on-his-luck film producer stuck in Paris without friends or money. He is thrust into the resistance and becomes a liason between a group of french army officers and the communist resistance.
Casson has several thrilling adventures, amorous and violent. He hides in Paris, afraid of being recognised by old associates, but knows in his heart there is a war to be fought and, though he may be a reluctant warrior, he chooses to fight. Furst's novels all have a connection, the Brasserie Heininger, and it appears again here. So even though I get the feeling there are some missing chapters here, the war will continue in Furst's next novel.

For the second time in his well crafted series of espionage novels set amid the interwar years and opening acts of WW2 taking place in Eastern Europe, Furst departs from his usual stomping grounds in "Red Gold". Firstly, the story takes place in France, and its main character, Jean Casson, is French. Secondly, the timeline is from the invasion of France into World War 2- often occurring only in the final chapters of Furst's other novels. And in addition to this, "Red Gold" is Furst's only direct sequel in his novels of espionage.

Jean Casson returns in this novel, and must chose between the Resistance and the Communist guerrillas while committing full time to active opposition to Nazi rule in France. Casson faces danger on all sides as he avoids both the Gestapo and the internecine conflicts within France's resistance movements. Furst continues to excel in his suspense, and this story contains some really great scenes; one in particular involving a covert radio transmitter being hunted by German counter intelligence. In its entirety- take with "The World at Night", I think Furst brings the story back to his previous heights that the first book alone failed to achieve.

Unlike his other novels, this novel should probably not be read as a stand-alone book. If this is your first Furst book, I highly recommend beginning your foray into Furst's world with "Night Soldiers", his original and possibly best spy novel. "Night Soldiers" introduces several characters who make appearances throughout Furst's other novels set in the same period of time and general geographical local. However, if you are set on novels set in France, then start with "The World at Night", as this novel begins the story that "Red Gold" continues.

What makes Furst's loosely structured series so compelling is that 1; they are very well researched and historical very accurate, especially with regard to spy craft - as I understand it through academic experience only. 2; the characters are extremely flawed, very believable and interesting to empathize with - all of the characters and their adventures provoke much thought. 3; the novels do not attempt to achieve a false sense of conclusion at their end - they always allow the reader to decide for him/herself what happens, and they rarely resolve the feeling of tension that pervades Furst's works. 4; the secondary characters are always very well developed and much more interesting than their sometimes small roles would have the reader believe- so one is always off balance (who will live, who will die - who can be trusted, who cannot?). 5; Furst does an excellent job of setting the atmosphere of terror that resulted from the conflict between fascism and the resistance in France during the Second World War.

You cannot go wrong with this novel. While not Furst's best spy novel, for anyone interested in reading and enjoying spy stories, or stories of world war two, this book is a must read.

This work is a worthy sequel to "The World At NIght", and continues the story of Jean Casson, the French film producer, and now a, somewhat reluctant, member of the resistance movement in occupied France during World War II. The author has, once again, recreated the atmosphere of a country under the governance of another power, and the lives of the everyday people in reaction to that power, some submitting helplessly, some collaborating, and some, some few, taking steps to avenge themselves on the conqueror. There are the usual, for Furst, finely drawn characterizations, and the feeling of moral ambiguity constantly present in his writings. This book only takes Jean Casson to the latter part of 1942. I certainly hope the author continues his story, possibly until the end of the occupation: I like this man, and want to know how his story continues to go on as the years, dark and dangerous, pass for him and his associates.

I am a recent convert to the fictional spy genre(much overused word). Along the way I lucked upon Alan Furst novels, among them was "Red Gold". I found his sense of historical episodes to be factual, despite the fact that you knew the storyline itself was fictional. His characterization was somewhat wanting in my opinion and it seems that he writes with an overwhelming hint of "this would make a good film". After reading several of his novels, I seem to have lost the thread of character, and find it difficult to recall who was in which novel....Perhaps my own shortcoming, or the shallowness of the characterization. That being said however, if one is desirous of a quick moving adventure story, I can not recommend this and other of Furst's novels too highly. Particularly if one is interested in the surrounding history of the WWII.

Vincent J. Sgro

There are few writers in any genre who can hold a candle to Furst. Thankfully, Red Gold is up to his usual standard - the taut, finely detailed scenes; the ambiguous, yet revealing characters; a deep understanding of things French, Russian, German, etc. If this book doesn't have the epic scale of my personal favorite, Night Soldiers, it's still a wonderful read . I wish Alan Furst could turn out a novel a year - I look forward to the next one, whenever it comes!

Putting aside the fact that he is still one of the best time/place/scene descriptive authors in the noir genre, during much of this book Mr. Furst seems to going through the motions. The heavy drinking rebels, the naive young lover, the brushes with the law, it all seems too predictable. There are no unexpected twists or turns that would have made it a much more complete reading experience. A curious ending, too.

Furst continues the character of Jean Casson (from The World at Night) in Paris and in Vichy France. The book's title refers to the misbegotten notion that Communists would have lots of money - thus Red Gold. Casson, as is Furst's wont, is an honest, decent, almost ordinary guy living on the edge of existence who falls into espionage work.

Unlike some of Furst's more recent works (Kingdom of Shadows and Blood of Victory), this work has a fairly linear plot line. Casson is recruited by anti-German Vichy intelligence officers to make contact with the Communist resistance. Dangerous work indeed.

The plot is stronger, but the 'atmosphere' is not as palpable. Still, Alan Furst is a more than worthy successor to Eric Ambler and Graham Greene.

Highly recommended for fans of the spy genre or fine writing anywhere.