• Kingdom of Shadows

  • By: Alan Furst
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (396 ratings)

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Kingdom of Shadows  By  cover art

Kingdom of Shadows

By: Alan Furst
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's summary

In spymaster Alan Furst's most electrifying thriller to date, Hungarian aristocrat Nicholas Morath, a hugely charismatic hero, becomes embroiled in a daring and perilous effort to halt the Nazi war machine in Eastern Europe.

Morath is now part owner of an advertising agency in Paris, while his uncle, Count Janos Polanyi, is a minor diplomat stationed in Paris. Polanyi calls on Nicholas to take part in missions against the Hungarian Fascists: carrying letters or bringing individuals back across the border in the course of his business trips. As Nicholas's dinner parties, business deals, and dalliances with his mistress start to take a back seat to the escalating crisis in Europe, his tasks become more complicated, dangerous, and bewildering to him. He knows far less than the reader, who understands that his actions will have far-reaching consequences even beyond the fate of Hungary.

©2001 Alan Furst (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about Kingdom of Shadows

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    190
  • 4 Stars
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Furst's grease between the gears of history

There were moments I absolutely loved this book, but then it would unravel and drop. The whole fabric of the novel was just a tad too rough. The narrative was beautiful, like all Furst novels, but it didn't have much forward momentum. Other than the jumpy, rough plot -- I loved it. You can practically fall asleep in the whole dark, smokey, Hungarian/French flavor. Furst is amazing at describing the grease between the gears of history

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of Nine Alan Furst/George Guidall Masterpieces

What did you love best about Kingdom of Shadows?

George Guidall's masterful interpretation and narration of a well written espionage story. George didn't just "read" the novel. With voice inflection, pauses, etc. he told me the story and made me feel that I was a participant/observer of the protagonist.

What other book might you compare Kingdom of Shadows to and why?

I would compare it to the other 8 Allan Furst/George Guidall books. I have been a recorded book listener for over 20 years and these Furst/Guidall novels are the best I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I have listened to each many times over the years and used to wait with great anticipation for the next novel to be released. Then they changed narrators and that was the end of that. Couldn't even finish the tenth one (The Spies Of Warsaw).

Any additional comments?

I would compare Furst's writing with John LaCarre' For me Furst is more enjoyable as he just tells a "story" whereas LeCarre' includes a "message", usually critizing SIS.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Historical facts

I read many reviews before I buy a book and even then get some rotten apples. But Mr Furst books are becoming a favorite & teaching me a lot about history. I fact checked this one all along & was amazed to learn many new true events of this period. He must have someone that lived these stories & then he is able to relay them back to us in wonderful prose. I know such a person whose story was never told and I thank Mr Furst in their behalf

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The War Continues

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book was well-written as all Furst's books are. I have read several.. But the one thing I do notice book to book is similarities between each plot, character, etc. Enter primary character. Somehow they float through the book being drawn into actions during a time of unrest and war. The risk their lives...but it is somehow or other not connected ...I continue to feel the character floats but does not choose these events. Book after book....then when the book is finished, I go on to another, Again, well-written and the character again floats from one thing to another, somehow feeling disconnected from a choice....then the book is over. I guess I feel a lack of connection with the primary characters in Furst's books because of this. Who exactly are they??????????? I don't think this is really clear.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

More a Series of Vignettes

Rather than a connected story this is more a series of vignettes about Nicholas Morath, a part time Hungarian spy. The setting is Paris in the last year before the beginning of WWII.

The book tells of Nicholas Morath's various espionage missions - some very mundane like his trip to Amsterdam and others very exciting like his trip to see the Czech fortress emplacements. In between missions, we learn about Morath's misstress, a firendship with a bartender at the Balalaika bar etc.

There is the feeling of events spinning out of control as Hitler gobbles up more of Europe and a small coterie of Hungarian Aritocrats make futile efforts to spare their country from Hitler and the Arrow Cross boys.

This is a very atmospheric novel, like all of Alan Furst's book, but I did not find it quite as gripping as the more coherent books like Dark Star. Parts of the books, such as when Morath is imprisoned in Romania and the efforts made to release him, are thrilling in deed and hold the reader's attention. But the parts, especially dealing with Morath's personal life and mistresses, is not so interesting.

Neverthelss it is decent atmospheric book and it is not that long.But Furst has written better books which I would read ahead of this one. However, Furst is still the foremost writer about Europe on the eve of WWII. If you like that period and setting than Furst is a must read.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another classic from Mr. Furst

What made the experience of listening to Kingdom of Shadows the most enjoyable?

The characters were believable and the narration by George Guidall was outstanding. We often found ourselves at our destination in the car, but unable to stop listening and the next part of the story unfolded.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the plot evolved is wonderful.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Guidall demonstrates what makes voice acting different from simply narrating a work of fiction. He inhabits the key characters fully.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

Hard to go wrong with the 1-2 punch of Guidall and Furst! Very enjoyable throughout!!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

This was a very very depressing book

When I reached the end of the book, I struggled to understand what the point of it all was.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Do Not Buy

This reading was so bad I can't rate the story. I didn't get through the 3rd chapter.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Too Much to keep up with

What disappointed you about Kingdom of Shadows?

Too many characters; nothing really compelling. Couldn't remember from one listen to the next who was who and where was where.

What was most disappointing about Alan Furst’s story?

No real thread. Claimed to be a spy novel of sorts but nothing like other spy thrillers

What does George Guidall bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Guidall is a marvelous reader. Although at times his deep voice drops in volume and it is hard to understand him, he is still excellent at portraying many voices, many accents.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Kingdom of Shadows?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

Furst seems to be quite popular; I guess you just have to like and understand his style.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

A engrossing tale, one in which the listener is quickly caught up. I want to get a map of 1940’s Paris to aid in comprehending the movements of the characters. Engrossing and fascinating.

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