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

the art is in the details; the narrator rescues

What did you love best about Mission to Paris?

The voice, pacing and subtle nuances of the narrator. The voice was better than the actual writing.

Would you recommend Mission to Paris to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes very detailed sense of Paris and Berlin pre-WW2. Liked the throw back to the "leading man " time of Cary Grant in movies.

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

no -- I loved the voice so much I did not mind it trolling along a steady pace.

Any additional comments?

I think the audio version is probably better than the text version -- seemed like it might have been kinda dead on the page.

Fantastic

As always Faust detail makes a perfect picture in your mind. Details of the human experience are so good in every story.

Not up to snuff

Would you try another book from Alan Furst and/or Daniel Gerroll?

I've listened to most of Furst's books and generally admire their sophistication and sense of history. This one puzzles me. Like two books. The second half doesn't cut it.

What was most disappointing about Alan Furst’s story?

Lack of coherence and ho-hum love story.

What three words best describe Daniel Gerroll’s performance?

So, so, so.

Do you think Mission to Paris needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, he needs to go back to what got him here.

Great author.

Alan Furst is a must-read and a good choice for my first Audible book. Enjoyed the experience.

Great read!

Fantastic thriller, keeps you on the edge of your seat. A real page turner and unexpected man becomes a hero

Didn't quite gel

This book may be more like a summer read for the aficionado of Spy novels; I wouldn't know, because I rarely read them, mostly because I too often get lost in the intrigue. I tired reading "Tinker, Tailor..." and hated it; spent the entire read in a state of totally confusion. Even the movie confused me. So I tend to avoid spy novels.

That said, I kind of enjoyed this one...

I too was struck my the "Noir" style; and how very "Cary Grant" it was.

I thought there were some flaws in the logic at times. Seems to me that if you unplug phones that monitor conversations you are clearly alerting the monitors, and are begging for trouble.

On the whole I found the book enjoyable; I didn't have to work to keep up with the intrigue, or keep trying to sort out the characters and what they were about.

I enjoyed the feel of the place and the period. Yes, I agree, there were times when I thought it was a bit trite, and a cliched, but the cliches didn't dominate my experience.

Daniel Gerroll certainly brings it home; or to 1930's Paris. Strong, nuanced, quietly sophisticated and richly elegant in his interpretation with beautiful accents that sound native.

But, in the end, it didn't quite gel for me and I came away disappointed.

The Best Alan Furst novel

I read the reviews of this novel and wondered whether or not I would like it. What finally made me choose to buy it was the reference to Cary Grant. In my view this is better than a Cary Grant feature. I like Cary Grant yet this is better than any feature film of Cary Grant. I only wish he had been able to do this work on film. This is a feel good to be an American book and I love it! I think the best characteristics of being an American are noted here in this story. I enjoyed this book. It made me feel so grateful to be an American living in America!

A Good Read

This was the first book by Alan Furst that I have read and I will certainly read more. He has clearly well researched life in Paris in the late thirties and the atmosphere he creates is very authentic. The pace is leisurely in the beginning but the tension builds as the story progresses and the conclusion is unexpected but believable.

It had a lot of promise...

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

This book was big on atmosphere, short on story. It was fun to read, but the plot was almost nonexistent.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I was disappointed.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the scenes with the Nazis...super creepy.

Could you see Mission to Paris being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, too little plot

A Dream Historical Novel

I've only lately discovered Alan Furst and I'm kicking myself for coming so late to the party! This man can really write great historically based international novels. I've read two of his books now and this one just now finished was just wonderfully researched and written. It's like discovering a book version of the film Casablanca.......just a gem. As far as I can see Fursts books are based mostly on the years just prior to WWII in various countries in Europe. The characters are very real and authentic sounding, the narrtor performance is dazzlingly great with these European espionage and diplomacy novels. I happen to really love and resonate with history and these really fill my bill. Outstanding reads, all.