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A review by jefecarpenter
Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst
5.0
This is a beautiful book, one of my favorites of the series, especially because it stands on the shoulders of all the previous novels, and it resonates with the cumulative momentum of those stories and characters.
I see that this book has been criticized for not developing a more linear plot driving towards a better ending. I feel that shows a misappreciation of the perspective that Furst has created by showing many different facets to the story of being sucked into war. The drama is certainly here in this book, and also the warmth of camaraderie, the surprise of sexual energy, the telling details of altruism... it's a fully fleshed out portrait of the world entering into war.
And, by the way, I think it has a beautiful ending.
I see that this book has been criticized for not developing a more linear plot driving towards a better ending. I feel that shows a misappreciation of the perspective that Furst has created by showing many different facets to the story of being sucked into war. The drama is certainly here in this book, and also the warmth of camaraderie, the surprise of sexual energy, the telling details of altruism... it's a fully fleshed out portrait of the world entering into war.
And, by the way, I think it has a beautiful ending.