In the Blue Light of African Dreams

by Paul Watkins, Richard Poe (Translation)

Shot down over Europe in 1918, decorated American pilot Charlie Halifax believes his luck has finally abandoned him. Disfigured and demoralized, he deserts from France's famed Lafayette Escadrille, only to be captured, convicted, and sentenced to twenty years in the Foreigh Legion. He serves in Africa, where, along with a motley group of convicts and outcasts, Halifax is forced to fly illegal arms shipments to the very tribesmen they have been sent to fight. But a dream keeps Halifax alive even as his companions fall to harm or misery-the relentless determination to become the first pilot to fly nonstop from Paris to New York.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Paul Watkins is an American author who currently lives with his wife and two children in Hightstown, New Jersey. He is a teacher and writer-in-residence at The Peddie School, and formerly taught at Lawrenceville School. He attended the Dragon School, Oxford, Eton and Yale University. He received a B.A. from Yale and was a University Fellow at Syracuse University, New York. His recollections of his time at the Dragon School and Eton form his autobiographical work Stand Before Your God: An American Schoolboy in England.

Writes crime fiction set at the birth of Stalin's Russia under Sam Eastland.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great adventure story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best! I recommended this to many who loved it. WWI pilot, Charlie Halitaxis, was badly burned in a crash. He flies for the French Foreign Legion in Algeria. Great characters. Great descriptions (like the title).

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-rounded adventure story told in a strong voice. Watkins has been called an heir to Hemingway, and for once I can see the resemblance. A mysterious, loner lead character flies a plane for the French Foreign Legion in Northern Africa.

[Julie Dolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an adventure and strong images of place. Interesting characters that develop over time and play well off each other. Having first read The Forger, it was fascinating to read this back story for Ivan, and learn of Charlie.

[Amyem]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/3...

I own a copy and bookcrossed a copy.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Halifax is a Foreign Legion pilot, “enlisted” for twenty years, now in Morocco in 1926 desperate to escape a brutal rebellion along with his Russian mechanic, Ivan. The Moroccan material is superbly-written and described; Halifax, a disfigured war veteran, a strong and realistic character. They eventually arrive in Paris with Ivan’s tubercular girlfriend in the hope of winning the prize for the first Trans-Atlantic crossing by plane. The flight itself is an appropriate climax to an eloquent, deep and convincing story

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked part one of this book. It was interesting and exciting. Part two, not so much. It dragged terribly and since the reader knows all the way through that it's not going to end well, it just is not exciting. I also became annoyed with Charlie. He seemed to be almost mean spirited towards Ivan.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled through part one of this book. As I began part two, I decided to read my sister’s review. When she said she struggled more through the second half, I lost my inspiration to keep reading. Like I have said before, there are just too many GOOD books out there to waste my time on ones that I don’t enjoy, or, at there very least, can’t keep my attention!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, although the 1st half (the Morocco part) was better than the rest. It felt like an old-school novel, like something I haven't read in a long time. This is my 4th Paul Watkins novel, and have enjoyed them all, but The Ice Soldier remains his best work.

[Jan Vanderburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Watkins is a new author for me and I think he's a great writer! Captivating story and lovely sentences and descriptions. I'll definitely read more of his work.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halifax had been an American pilot serving in the French army during World War I. He was convicted of an offense and sentenced to serve twenty years in the French Foreign Legion in Africa. His commander has him running guns to the Arabs. He learns of the Orteig Prize for the first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean and tries to achieve his freedom.

[Jrobertus · Rating 3 out of 5]

a well written adventure novel about an american veteran of the ww1 lafayette escadrille, who flies for the foreign legion in 1926 morocco. great fun from start to finish.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul Watkins has been my favorite author for years. His writing is stunning.

[Garret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good adventure story