Title: The Polish Officer
Author: Alan Furst
First published February 7, 1995
294 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780375758270 (ISBN10: 0375758275)
Rating: 4.07
Overview
Seventeen-year-old twins Thais and Clio never knew of each other’s existence until they coincidentally cross paths in the vibrant city of New Orleans. But their reunion is far from happy as they discover they are being hunted by a dangerous coven of witches who seek to use their extraordinary magical powers for their own nefarious purposes.
Will Thais and Clio be able to outwit the witches and protect their powers, or will they fall prey to their dark desires? Find out in Cate Tiernan’s thrilling novel, A Chalice of Wind.
About the Author
Alan Furst is a highly acclaimed author known for his mastery of the historical spy novel genre. Although born in New York, he has spent a significant amount of time living in Paris, France.
Currently, he resides on Long Island.
Furst’s Night Soldiers series includes the following captivating novels:
– Night Soldiers (1988)
– (1991)
– (1995)
– (1996)
– (1999)
– (2000)
– (2003)
– (2004)
– (2006)
– (2008)
– (2010)
– (2012)
– (2013)
– (2019)
Additionally, Furst has written several other novels, including:
– (1976)
– (1980)
– (1981)
– (1983)
Editoral Review
The Polish Officer by Alan Furst is a gripping historical fiction novel that transports readers to the tumultuous years leading up to World War II. Furst is a renowned writer of espionage and historical fiction, and The Polish Officer is one of his earlier works, first published on February 7, 1995.
Set in 1939, the book follows the story of Captain Alexander de Milja, a Polish intelligence officer. As the Nazis threaten to invade Poland, de Milja must navigate through enemy lines, forging alliances, acquiring weapons, and helping the Resistance in any way he can.
But de Milja’s mission is not only to fight the Nazis but also to protect his family and loved ones. Furst has a gift for painting a vivid and realistic picture of the setting and characters in his novels.
The Polish Officer is no exception. Furst’s portrayal of pre-World War II Europe is masterful, and the reader can almost taste the fear, desperation, and uncertainty that permeated the continent during those years.
The protagonist, de Milja, is a compelling character, smart, brave, and vulnerable, a man caught in the crossfire of politics and war. The Polish Officer is more than a spy thriller or a military history novel.
It is also a poignant exploration of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Furst’s prose is elegant and lyrical, elevating the book above a mere genre novel.
His attention to detail is remarkable, from the weapons and tactics used by the Polish resistance to the nuances of the different languages spoken by the characters. The book also has political and historical significance.
Furst highlights the plights of the Polish people, caught between the Nazis and the Soviets, and the bravery of those who fought against tyranny. The book also raises questions about the nature of patriotism, loyalty, and morality in a time of war and conflict, issues still relevant today.
However, The Polish Officer is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing slow or the plot convoluted at times.
Moreover, the characterization of some of the supporting characters is not as nuanced or developed as de Milja’s. Nevertheless, The Polish Officer is a worthy addition to the canon of historical fiction and espionage novels.
fans of John le Carr, Ken Follett, or Frederick Forsyth will find much to enjoy here. The book is a perfect blend of action, romance, and historical detail, a page-turner that challenges our assumptions and values.
The Polish Officer deserves a rating of four out of five stars, and it is recommended for anyone interested in the history of Europe and the human condition.
