The World at Night
Encyclopedia
The World at Night is a novel by Alan Furst
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between May 1940 and June 1941. Jean Casson is a French motion-picture producer who specializes in gangster films and who possesses no political views to speak of. When the Germans defeat and conquer his country, Casson at first tries to continue his life and career as if nothing had happened. But that proves impossible; when the Germans arrest a few of his friends and associates Casson finds himself helping others to hide or escape. He is seen talking to questionable people, and before long his line is tapped and his movements followed. Eventually Casson must choose between a life of resistance or no life at all.
Louis Fischfang is a screenwriter with whom Casson has often worked. As a Jew and a Communist, he is in considerable danger from the new regime. Casson helps him to disappear, putting himself beyond the point of no return in the process.
Citrine is an actress, an old girlfriend of Casson's with whom he resumes an affair. While she plays no important role in the plot, she personifies the happy, civilized old world that he finally decides is worth fighting for.
Colonel Guske is the Gestapo
agent with whom Casson plays a lengthy game of cat-and-mouse. While not an evil or unlikable man himself, he is comfortable working within an evil system and goes about his job with lethal dedication.
Alan Furst
Alan Furst is an American author of historical spy novels set just prior to and during the Second World War.-Biography:...
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Plot summary
The story takes place in and around ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
between May 1940 and June 1941. Jean Casson is a French motion-picture producer who specializes in gangster films and who possesses no political views to speak of. When the Germans defeat and conquer his country, Casson at first tries to continue his life and career as if nothing had happened. But that proves impossible; when the Germans arrest a few of his friends and associates Casson finds himself helping others to hide or escape. He is seen talking to questionable people, and before long his line is tapped and his movements followed. Eventually Casson must choose between a life of resistance or no life at all.
Characters
Jean Casson starts the novel as a moderately successful film producer, with the creative and organizational skills such a career would demand. He considers himself to be something of an individualist and a cynic. The reader is led to doubt his self-evaluation because of his ability to win and keep the trust of a wide variety of people. It is, in fact, the dangers facing people close to him that forces him into action against the Germans.Louis Fischfang is a screenwriter with whom Casson has often worked. As a Jew and a Communist, he is in considerable danger from the new regime. Casson helps him to disappear, putting himself beyond the point of no return in the process.
Citrine is an actress, an old girlfriend of Casson's with whom he resumes an affair. While she plays no important role in the plot, she personifies the happy, civilized old world that he finally decides is worth fighting for.
Colonel Guske is the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
agent with whom Casson plays a lengthy game of cat-and-mouse. While not an evil or unlikable man himself, he is comfortable working within an evil system and goes about his job with lethal dedication.