Midnight in Europe

Midnight in Europe(B-) is a great improvement over Mission to Paris(D). The main character, Ferrar, has more depth, but only barely more than the main character in Mission. This is the most pornographic of Furst’s novels, which may offend some. The story in Midnight is lively, several threads are followed, perhaps not as fully explored as one might wish. It’s typical Furst, which means Paris ad nauseum (why does he recite the bullet-in-the-mirror-story-at the Henniger Brasserie in EVERY BOOK?!) His character gets into Poland, the Baltic and Black Seas, but surprisingly little Spain for a story that revolves around the Franco civil war. There is a lot of action, which entertains, even if the direction of the story is hidden (like life). Overall, worth reading but not up to Night Soldiers, The World at Night or Kingdom of Shadows.

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 authors 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 saints 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 Spains role in the bigger conflict. Furst hints that a deal was struck by all parties for Francos neutrality proving that conspiracies will always abound.

This novel was particularly satisfying due to the main character named Christian Ferrar. He is a Spanish migr 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 authors 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).

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.

Another fascinating, historically accurate, beautiful tale from Alan Furst set in pre-World War II Europe. Just as enjoyable as all his previous books in this series, the excellent character development allows the reader to get very attached to the protagonist. While much of the book is very detailed and engrossing, the book ends very suddenly with minimal information given to the reader who is kind of left hanging –almost as if the writer grew tired of the book and just wanted to end it quickly! I would have given it a 5 star rating except for the sudden and vague conclusion leaving the reader wondering as to whatever really happened to the protagonist, his family, his friends and associates and their complicated political and military affiliations as the War was about to begin! This very well-written unique colorful storyline could have comfortably gone on another hundred pages– but didn’t!
I still definitely recommend it for all Alan Furst fans who enjoy pre- WWII “noir” historical fiction–great read until the last few pages!

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