Red Gold: Red Gold: A Novel

Furst is one of my favorite novelists. I have read or listened to all of his books. He writes about a fascinating time; the run up to and the progress of WWII. His characters are three dimensional with flaws, weaknesses, strengths and courage. He takes us to Hungary, Bulgaria, The Soviet Union, Checkslovakia, Poland, Germany and France. I got a very different view of the times, places and protagonists. These novels would make wonderful Film Noir movies. He peoples the novels with writers, movie producers, diplomats all caught up in the WWII intrigues. All become agents one way or another so you also get a view into the various secret services.

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.

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.

...than Alan Furst. "Red Gold' is another literary masterpiece from the king of the sophisticated spy thriller. My only regret is that, at 258 pages, I was hungry for more(I began rereading this gem immediately). I only wish Furst was published on an annual basis like some of the "bestselling" writers, but alas, he is a true artist and his work is far too detailed, his charactors too rich, to "cookie-cut." Bravo, again, Mr. Furst. "Red Gold" is the finest novel published thus far in '99.

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!