As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By bridges the iconic film Casablanca with an expansive narrative that spans two pivotal periods: 1930s New York and post-1942 wartime Europe. The novel serves as both prequel and sequel to the beloved film, exploring Rick Blaine's origins and his fate after the famous airport scene. The prequel segments reveal Rick's early life as Yitzik Baline, a New York criminal during Prohibition who becomes entangled with a powerful gangster family. His involvement in the dangerous world of speakeasies, gang rivalries, and forbidden romance shapes the complex character audiences would later meet in Casablanca. The sequel portions pick up where the film ends, following Rick, Louis, and Sam as they navigate the intensifying landscape of World War II. Their journey takes them through Lisbon to London as they become further enmeshed in the resistance movement. This dual-timeline structure illuminates the transformation of Rick from American gangster to expatriate bar owner, while examining themes of identity, sacrifice, and the impact of political upheaval on personal destiny.

Readers appreciate Walsh's continuation of the Casablanca story and his effort to maintain the original's tone. Multiple reviews note the book fills in backstories for Rick and Ilsa that complement the film without contradicting it. Positives from readers: - Captures the political intrigue and romance of the movie - Period details feel authentic - Explains motivations of key characters - Flows at a cinematic pace Common criticisms: - Writing style doesn't match film's sophistication - Some dialogue feels forced - Too much focus on action over character development - Final act feels rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (217 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (56 ratings) "A respectful tribute that doesn't quite reach the heights of its source material," notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads reviews mention struggling to connect with the characters as deeply as in the film. Several readers point out that while it functions as an entertaining thriller, it lacks the emotional resonance of Casablanca.

The Lost Daughter by Gill Paul A multi-generational tale centered on the missing Romanov daughter Anastasia bridges past and present through parallel narratives of romance and identity.

Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay A former Bolshoi ballerina's past unfolds through her jewelry auction, revealing connections between Soviet-era Moscow and present-day Boston.

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons A Jewish refugee works as a servant in an English manor during World War II, crossing social boundaries through a forbidden romance.

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak The rise of Catherine the Great unfolds through the eyes of a palace spy, weaving court intrigue with historical events in Imperial Russia.

The Secret Wife by Gill Paul A modern woman discovers her connection to the Romanov dynasty through her grandmother's hidden past, linking contemporary New York to Imperial Russia.

🎬 *Casablanca* (1942) was adapted from an unproduced stage play titled "Everybody Comes to Rick's" by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. 📚 Author Michael Walsh has had a distinguished career as a music critic, receiving the 2004 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for his music journalism. 🎭 The book incorporates real historical figures from the 1930s New York gangster era, including Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky, weaving them into Rick's backstory. 🌍 The post-film narrative explores the French Resistance's actual activities in North Africa during WWII, incorporating authentic historical details about the movement. 🎵 "As Time Goes By," the song that gives the book its title, was nearly cut from the original film because Warner Brothers wanted to promote newer songs instead.