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Red Gold  By  cover art

Red Gold

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

New York Times bestselling author Alan Furst pens evocative and urbane novels of World War II espionage. Focusing on the European theater, Furst writes about ordinary people struggling to cope with the chaos of the world around them.

In the autumn of 1941, as German tanks approach Moscow, Stalin issues a desperate order: all secret operatives behind enemy lines must strike no matter the cost. Into this fray comes Jean Casson—once a wealthy Parisian film producer, now penniless and wanted by the Gestapo.

But when the local police finally catch him, instead of handing him over to the brutal Germans, they direct him to an old military friend and a new job in the service of the newly resurrected French intelligence service.

Featuring the same flawed yet noble protagonist as The World at Night, Furst’s Red Gold exposes the raw humanity of men and women in a dark time.

©1999 Alan Furst (P)2005 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"This innovative and gripping novel eloquently transports us back to a different era and a different world." (Amazon.com review)

What listeners say about Red Gold

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

Continues the saga of Jean Casson

A decent follow-up to 'The World At Night', 'Red Gold' continues the saga of Jean Casson's struggle to survive both morally and physically in Nazi occupied and collaborating France.

I prefer Furst's novels that center on Eastern European characters ('the Polish Officer', 'Dark Star', 'Night Soldiers') instead of French, but it is hard to deny that even though it isn't a major Furst novel, it is still a highly readable one. Using Jean Casson allows Furst to explore the world of those French collaborators, profiteers, and elites of Pétain's France who refused to see the German occupiers for what they were. Furst clearly demarks the fragmented France that was left after Germany's invasion and the Vichy collaboration.

This novel should be read closely with 'A World at Night'. Like I wrote about that novel, even though I find this to be a minor Furst novel, it is context that matters. Most spy novelists don't approach the art or the skill of a minor Furst novel. So enjoy.

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic WW 2 espionage/resistance tale

Furst’s stories of the late 30s and early 40s in Europe are masterpieces of period narrative. The mix of ordinary people caught up in great events, professionals directing those events, and assorted exotics brings to life the complex, dark times of the rise of fascism and the resistance to it. This one, ending in sabotage of a shipment of fuel in northern France bound for the Afrika Korps, is a rich, moving account of the hardships and dangers of occupied France, particularly Paris. Guidall’s masterly narration - stately, world weary, sympathetic — is the crowning touch.

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9 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Not a good choice for one's first Furst

The author continues to do a remarkable job of vividly painting a portrait of war-torn Europe. However the storyline drags oh so slowly. Would not recommend this to the novice Alan Furst reader.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Yes.

Great book, perfectly read. It's hard to go wrong with Alan Furst. If you like his other books, you won't be disappointed with this one.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Terrific, as always

A bit hard to follow, several characters, several story lines but Furst is a master of spy-noir and his history is perfect. Guidall is a master. I'd listen to him read a phone book. Accents, voice levels, genders and nationalities are all spot-on.

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Unsatifying story

Same lead character as book one, but the story just didn't grab me. Felt like too many different threads maybe, and not enough holding it all together? not sure, but just wasn't as good as previous.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Soooo Depressing

Well, its about Nazi's crushing the human soul. I love George Guidall, but this story was depressing and kept on with a main character that had few redeeming qualities. For me, a very bad choice.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

red gold

pretty good, was slow at times, narrator great, not sure of ending though, may try another of this author

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Poor story

This is the worst Alan FURST I have read. Boring, no point, no excitement. Why did he write this?

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

Better than the last

I am not sure what I think about the main character. In the last book, I wouldn’t have minded if he had died. Which is distinctly different than how I felt about previous main characters. He seems to be a French Willy Loman, of sorts. Not fond of the ending in either this or the previous work. Nevertheless, I will persist with the next in the series.

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