Dark Star

By: Alan Furst

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 18 hrs

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed author and historian Alan Furst has written several historical fiction novels, such as Blood of Victory and Kingdom of Shadows. In Dark Star, André Szara is a Polish journalist who becomes a spy for the Soviet Union in the late 1930s. Through Szara’s character, the beginnings of World War II are revealed.

Some of the events Szara sees are harsh and unforgettable. While working in Austria, he sees Hitler and his army march into Vienna and drag Jews into the streets, humiliating and beating them—often to death. Szara turns to drinking to help numb much of his pain as he finds a reliable confidant in Germany who is willing to give him undisclosed information about the war.

Listen to Alan Furst discuss his craft with fellow writers Walter Mosley and Scott Turow at

©1991 Alan Furst (P)2004 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Intelligent, provocative, and gripping novel....Beautifully and compellingly told." (Publishers Weekly)
"A rich, deeply moving novel of suspense that is equal parts espionage thriller, European history, and love story." (The New York Times)
"Captures the murky allegiances and moral ambiguity of Europe on the brink of war....Nothing can be like watching Casablanca for the first time. But Furst comes closer than anyone has in years." (Time)

Dasvydanya, Tovarich

Furst spins a great yarn about a Jewish Soviet journalist who, in the years before WWII, becomes a spy for the Russians in Germany and France. The threat from his own spymasters in Moscow worries him almost as much as threat from the Nazis. He makes love to several women during his travels through Europe, but not in the half-comical James Bond/Don Juan way. He really falls in love with them. They break through the walls and rescue him from the enforced loneliness of espionage. And when he loses them, his grief is heavy and palpable.

Two things more: It helps to review a little bit of history before digging into this one, esp. the history leading up to the Molotov-Ribbentrop Non-Aggression Pact of 1939. Much of what goes on will be clearer. Also, George Guidall narrates this one, and he does a superlative job (once again).

almost too subtle for a listen however well writtn

beautifully narrated, complex story of espionage. a new character you can love. you might need maps and to make notes to follow. nice resolution at the end.

Tour de Force

Awesome capture of life in Europe pre WWII. Intrigue, treason, blackmail, abject fear — Alan Furst set the standard for what came to be called ‘atmospheric’ stories. This is so much more than a spy novel.

Fabulous writing and narration

One thing I've learned about audiobooks is that the narrator can make or break the experience. In this case, he takes exquisite, intelligent writing about an intruiging subject and creates the perfect atmosphere in which to enjoy it.

I could not stop listening to this book once I got throught the first two chapters.

Interesting but Difficult!

The storyline is complicated and very slow to unfold. Probably a better read than an audio book. The narrator was excellent. Had it not been for the quality of the narration, I would have given up early on. The last third was outstanding. Consistent with the quality writing of Alan Furst.

Excellent.

Long book. Requires some staying power. Brilliant narration helps you stick with it. The premise is simple enough. The novel is a vehicle for a history of German Russian relations before Barbarossa. With lots of plotting and sun plotting that can be hard to follow. But being honest the details are less important that the overall flow and storyline. And it really does transport the listener back to those dark days. And very detail oriented as a period piece.

Realistic - puts most others to shame.

Shades of Eric Ambler, this gives an authentic flavor to the times and places. I needed an atlas to keep things straight, but that just made it more appealing.

War comes to Europe.

A picture of Europe before WWIi that portrays the changing relationship between Russia and Germany.

A little slow

It was a nice history lesson on the political happenings post WWI and through WWII. The narration was reasonable. The only issue was it seemed to drag on a bit and the story didn't draw me in so I couldn't put it down.

furst is top shelf wonderful

he captures the nuance of an historical era with the tension of feeling like you were there with the people who populate this book.