Blue Light African Dream

by Paul Watkins

Book Overview

Shot down over Europe in 1918, decorated American World War I pilot Charlie Halifax believes his luck has abandoned him. Deserting the army, he is captured, convicted, and sentenced to 20 years in the French Foreign Legion. But a dream keeps Halifax alive even as his companions fall to harm--the determination to become the first pilot ever to fly nonstop from Paris to New York.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395551366
• ISBN13: 9780395551363
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 310 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Finally, a new book with substance and character formation.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Paul Walkin's books

A Phoenix defined.

A great read. The main character finds peace at the end of his lengthy journey. Watkins posesses a wonderful feel for use of symbolism in flight and the exotic landscape of Morrocco and France. A powerful journey from nothing to rebirth. In the Blue Light...possess great imagery and movement of time. Never have I thought I could identify with a pilot from World War I. Much like Robinson Carusoe, Charlie Halifax, pushed towards the end of his moral and isolational limits, has estblished a friendship with a foreigner friend, becoming travel partners, like Crosby and Hope. Halifax remained passaionate yet myopic on his goal until the end, finally realizing new horizons lay ahead.This book is every bite as unique as his Archangel. Also look for Peter Gadol novels.

An interesting "read" that takes you into new territory

I thoroughly enjoyed this book --found it an interesting read, though it did remind me, in parts, of The English Patient. The characters were quite well drawn out and I look forward to reading other books by Paul Watkins (which is why I am here at the site to begin with).