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

Anxious to hear what happens next

I walk while I listen. I was always looking forward to my next walk so I could hear what was happening next. It is a very interesting story set in the time when I was a young girl. The narration is very well done with different tones and cadences by the different characters. I enjoyed it very much

Suspenseful story, very well told

What made the experience of listening to Mission to Paris the most enjoyable?

The story unfolds slowly and with our perspective, more than 70 years after the period in which it takes place, a sense of dread builds throughout. The reader is outstanding and really offers a unique voice to each character. And, it isn't clear exactly how things will end until almost the very end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mission to Paris?

The scene in the restaurant when we truly see the casually sinister nature of the Nazis and their sympathizers enjoying their affluence amid the tense environment that surrounds them.

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

The nuances in his voice make you forget (this sounds silly but it's true) that he is actually a male performing both male and female roles.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

In movie making, evil is not always an illusion.

A yummy taste of pre-WWII Europe

Nice story, perhaps too many characters but fine. Lovely mix of spy work & French romance. One large critique is of the “automatic pistol.” That is not a thing. Made me question other things in the book the author seemed to know about.

Furst is never second

Furst is a good writer, especially in this genre.He knows how to create a mood; I can almost feel the cigarette butts crunching underfoot on a dank Parisian street. The plot was a little thin but good writing overcomes that deficiency

An American movie star in Paris in 1938-39

tries to stay a step ahead of the Nazis who want to use him for propaganda purposes. Filming in Paris, Tripoli, a Hungarian castle, and occasionally visiting Berlin, our actor does a bit of spying. He risks everything to foil the Nazis and save the woman he loves.

Alan Furst writes exciting adventures and love stories that give us slice-of-life pictures of people and places in Europe at the brink of war.

Average story with unexpected delights

This is not Alan Furst's best novel, by any stretch. The plot and the characters are good but not unexceptional and, if it's not wasted money to buy this book, you probably will be able to put it down long enough for convenience breaks.
I enjoyed Daniel Gerroll's reading very much. He doesn't act out the characters and scenes although he gives each character a different voice. What was unexpected and a great delight is to have the impression, very often, of hearing Peter Sellers' Pink Panther in many of the dialogues. Same tone, same inflection, same way to end a sentence by letting it die down.

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.