Mission to Paris

By: Alan Furst

Narrated by: Daniel Gerroll

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author and the "modern-day master of the genre" (Newsday) comes a gripping novel of espionage and deception in 1938 pre-war Paris.

At the center of the intrigue is Hollywood star Frederic Stahl. September 1938. On the eve of the Munich Appeasement, Stahl arrives in Paris, on loan from Warner Brothers to star in a French film. He quickly becomes entangled in the shifting political currents of pre-war Paris - French fascists, German Nazis, and his Hollywood publicists all have their fates tied to him. But members of the clandestine spy world of Paris have a deeper interest in Stahl, sensing a potential asset in a handsome, internationally renowned actor.

Ranging from the high society of glittering Paris to film set locations in far-away Damascus and Budapest, Alan Furst's new novel confirms his status as a writer whose stories unfold "like a vivid dream" (The Wall Street Journal).

©2012 Alan Furst (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Great good and Evil Chase Suspense

Of course Nazi's are evil, but who else is, and running away from them makes this an intriguing story. The narrator was very good and did the male and female parts well. I am glad they used only one narrator because books that use several can be distracting. I would read other books by this author if he changed topics--in the Audible listings it looks like his subject is similar but takes place in other countries. .

Pre-War Thriller

This is one of Furst's best yarns. Set in pre-occupation Paris, the story follows the adventures of a Viennese-born American B-List actor trying not to become entangled in pre-World War II politics while shooting a French Foreign Legion film in France. But entangled he gets. Furst skillfully creates tailor-made period characters who easily step into his stories. Mission to Paris, whether read or heard, is fun.

Excellent!

Alan Furst is a first rate novelist of spying before and during the Second World War. This work portrays Paris and Berlin in ways that give the reader an accurate feel for what was happening then. Hard to know how this work could be improved. Well worth the price.

like most of his books, he feels the need to write descriptive soft porn corn which adds nothing to the story

for all but the above mentioned soft core porn, story, including the relationships, very strong and entertaining. the narrator as with other books fumbles the different voices frequently, but it's otherwise good

An Exciting Story of a Darkening Europe

Alan Furst is one of very few authors whose books I automatically read as they are published, without waiting for either professional or readers’ reviews. I’ve yet to be disappointed, and his newest, Mission to Paris, is among his best works. 1938 Europe is a frightening place as the continent inexorably moves to war. It is scary for the participants, but darker for Furst’s readers because we already know what happens. Furst excels as a mood painter and as a chronicler of ordinary people caught in a history not of their choosing. Their reactions and the roles they chose to play, are as varied as human existence. One finds Furst’s novel interspersed with heroes, opportunists, venal and terrifying people, as well as the naïve. While Furst’s 1938 Paris is meticulously researched, he does not dwell on the historical, perhaps because we already well know the history (e.g., Hitler’s annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, Chamberlain’s appeasement at Munich, and Krisallnacht in Germany). But he skillfully melds events into the thread of his story. Mission to Paris, while having an exciting plot, is not a thriller or page-turner in the sense of, say, a Daniel Silva story, but it is intense and suspenseful enough. This is a most enjoyable book, easy to read, but worthwhile from a literary standpoint.

Nice Read

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

Yes, since it was able to keep my interest throughout. The person reading the story worked well for the content.

What other book might you compare Mission to Paris to and why?

This book is a spy thriller, since I don't usually read spy books I can't really compare it to another book.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't really recall a favorite scene.

Did Mission to Paris inspire you to do anything?

Not Really

Works quite well as an audiobook

Sat in immediate prewar Paris it gives insight into the globalism dividing the a French people as they face the clouds of war. The chief protagonist is interesting. As an actor he is a little naive and had grown up in Vienna, becoming an American as a young adult. Nonetheless he clearly sees himself as anti Nazi. The story develops out of the threads of a German attempt to curry favor with him and the personal relationships he develops throughout his time in Paris. The story arc develops quite clearly and in a very interesting and believable way.

Mr Furst has lost whatever edge he had

I am actually commenting on two books, Mission to Paris and Spies of the Balkans, because my comments are essentially identical. I read quite a few Furst novels over a few years. Then they started feeling a bit stale, so I set them aside. Recently, I tried the two mentioned here. I got through Spies with effort, but had to stop reading Mission. Mr Furst has settled into so much of a pattern that it's impossible to stay interested. Some aspect of European confict in or around WWII. A suave, sophisticated, male European protagonist. A succession of sexually available women. The characters, taken individually, lack real emotional resonance and depth. And taken together they are very much from the same few cookie cutters. Too bad. His first two or three Midnight Soldier novels promised more.

Fantastic!

Awesome!!!

Furst's books are fabulous. This is no exception.

The fear and the uncertainty of 1939 France, Germany, and Hungary come through very well.

I loved this. And I really liked Frederic. Narration was perfect.

I'm so glad I have one (now two) more in this series.

Great, great, great...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, a great story, based on historical events.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character was very likable.

Have you listened to any of Daniel Gerroll’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, he is excellent.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Towards the end of the book I was worried about the character's
fates.

Any additional comments?

A great listen.