The Underground City

by H.L. Humes

Back in print after nearly fifty years-the acclaimed fiction debut of novelist H. L. Humes, co-founder of The Paris Review "Immensely intelligent and energetic, intensely dramatic and melodramatic,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 081297848X
• ISBN13: 9780812978483
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Random House Trade
• Length: 755 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A worthwhile read

The Underground City is a big book, long (755 pages), complex, very ambitious, with many moments of brilliant writing. John Stone, an American secret agent, witnessed a massacre committed towards the end of World War II, in which dozens of French resistance fighters were killed. Part 2 of this 3-part book (over 300 pages) is devoted to this history. Part I takes place immediately after the war. Dujardin, who was responsible for the massacre, is standing trial. Stone is the key witness for the prosecution. It is clear that Dujardin collaborated with the Germans, but the Communist party comes to his defense in an attempt to bring down the French government. Alexi Carnot, who also witnessed the massacre, lies to save Dujardin's life. Carnot is 20 years younger than Stone but is a born leader, as Stone learns when he is sent to locate and work with the underground resistance to help them prepare for the invasion of the allies on France's Mediterranean shores. The relationship between Stone and Carnot is brilliantly portrayed. Less so is their relationship with Adriane, who they both loved. Part III finds Stone in Paris in the aftermath of the trial. His having worked with the underground communists has made him politically suspect (McCarthy era). He's depressed and turns to drink to solace his wounds. The only bright spot in his life is Solange, a young Parisian widow, who tries to save him. Part I introduces the reader to several personalities that are taken up by this history: Sheppard - the American Ambassador to France; Mersault - a French intellectual with political clout; and a host of reporters. They are all there in Part III. Sheppard, whose son was also involved in the massacre, is depressed. The reporters come in and out and even manage to get a more suitable end to the Dujardin affair. But it is Mersault's judgment of Stone that helps me understand why I felt so frustrated with how this book was coming to an end. After getting Stone out of prison (drunken disorder) and cleaning him up, he tells him: "You haven't earned the right to pity yourself, yet, Monsieur. You made no conscious sacrifice. You were pushed onto the stage by events which you were unable to foresee. You didn't take the hard road to glory by your own brave choice. You took it by accident." In the course of this dialogue the reader is forced to think a bit more about the condition of the French during this war. How easy it was for the Americans to come in and fight Hitler, an obviously evil man. But what about the French whose future was uncertain and who had to live and survive under brutal conditions. All in all, I feel that this is a worthwhile read. Lots of great action writing. Less so on the human relations side, especially when women are involved. And a bit too much pontification from the politicos. Perhaps in the 1940s and 50s they spoke like that.

WWII novel - should be a classic

You know immediately this is an exceptional novel, one you won't put down. Suspicion permeates the book, but after all, our hero is a secret agent working with the French Resistance. Expect to be wowed. Glad it has been brought to light after all these years.