Under Occupation

A Novel

By: Alan Furst

Narrated by: Peter Noble

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this thrilling historical spy novel from New York Times best-selling author Alan Furst, two heroic resistance fighters smuggle valuable information to occupied Paris to turn the tide of the World War II and defeat Nazi Germany.

Occupied Paris in 1942, a dark, treacherous city now ruled by the German security services, where French resistance networks are working secretly to defeat Hitler. Just before he dies, a man being chased by the Gestapo hands Paul Ricard a strange looking drawing. It looks like a part for a military weapon; Ricard realizes it must be an important document smuggled out of Germany to aid the resistance. As Ricard is drawn deeper and deeper into the French resistance network, his increasingly dangerous assignments lead him to travel to Germany, and along the underground safe houses of the resistance - and to meet the mysterious and beautiful Leila, a professional spy. 

From “an incomparable expert at his game” (The New York Times) and based on true events of Polish prisoners in Nazi Germany, Under Occupation captures the courageous and astonishing impact resistance fighters had during WWII and the lengths they went for freedom.

©2019 Alan Furst (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic Reviews

"Narrator Peter Noble is known for the range and variety of his audiobook credits, and more importantly for his sensitivity to the unique mood and character of each work he undertakes. That skill is put to good use in historical novelist Alan Furst's latest WWII thriller.... Noble's delivery is measured and slightly hushed, as if danger were lurking somewhere close by - as it invariably is in this tense, high-action thriller." (AudioFile Magazine)

Awful

I am a big fan of Alan Furst but this book seemed to be nothing more than an outline. There were numerous illogical and poorly developed plot points, and the characters were less than compelling. My husband and I could not believe this was the same author whose works we eagerly await. Not sure what’s up with this.

Subpar Furst

A series of unsuspenseful disconnected series of situations occurring to, and missions undertaken by, the hero with no unifying central goal that should pull the story together. The reading is highly dramatic but not commensurate with the weak thread of the tale. The ending hastily compressed as if the author was in hurry to get it out to the publisher.

Quite Short

Enjoyed the story and the narrator was excellent. There were a few potholes and unanswered questions but in all a good novel. Evocative and captivating as are all of this author's books. But disappointingly short!

Maybe not first among Furst's

But this is an excellent book that captures the feel of being in occupied France. Like other Furst heros the main character just wants to go on living his life, but events draw him in and he becomes a resistance fighter. Totally enjoyed it.

Bad tradecraft.

The agents in the book shouldn’t have made it past page 20. The tradecraft, decisions, and tactics they used were laughable.

A bad Alan Furst book

I am a big fan of Alan Furst. I have read or listened to all of his books, collect signed first editions of his books, and have met him. This is his worst book. Poorly plotted, unexplained gaps in the story, and lack of in-depth character development — all unheard of in his prior novels. Furst’s books all were set in pre-WW2 Europe, until his last book, “A Hero of France”, which also was disappointing, but not nearly as bad as “Under Occupation.” Noble’s narration is OK; he handles French words and phrases fine, but his French-accented dialogue sounds British. Very disappointing.

Cliché after cliché...

I usually like Alan First. This book seems to be written fast as if to fulfill a production contract. It is extremely formulaic and hence no fun at all. It completely lacks the analytical depth & atmosphere that made other books remarkable. Bummer. :(

Always fascinating WW2 movels

Well written, well read, Furst always tells a good story that is interesting. Good narration.

Interesting enough.

Furst provides the atmospherics necessary for a French Resistance novel. This is what I like about his work, but this one lacks a little of the excitement and suspenseful moments of some of the others. It was a horrible time for anyone fighting the Occupation, but interesting to read about. “Spring will come someday”.

The narration was very effective.

Paris under occupation

wonderful, suspenseful, interesting. was totally hooked. Characters very well drawn. Excellent narrator and eciting plot.