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Inspector Maigret #19
Επιθεωρητής Μεγκρέ
«Έχουμε τόσους λόγους για να ευγνωμονούμε τον Σιμενόν! Προπάντων γιατί είναι ανεξάντλητος συγγραφέας. Έτσι σου ρχεται να τον χειροκροτήσεις, όπως ακριβώς στο τσίρκο ξεσπάς σε χειροκροτήματα μπροστά στα εξαίσια κόλπα κάποιου μεγάλου ακροβάτη».
Φρεντερίκο Φελλίνι
Φρεντερίκο Φελλίνι
126 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1934
127 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Georges Simenon
2,570 books2,331 followersGeorges Joseph Christian Simenon (1903 – 1989) was a Belgian writer. A prolific author who published nearly 500 novels and numerous short works, Simenon is best known as the creator of the fictional detective Jules Maigret.
Although he never resided in Belgium after 1922, he remained a Belgian citizen throughout his life.
Simenon was one of the most prolific writers of the twentieth century, capable of writing 60 to 80 pages per day. His oeuvre includes nearly 200 novels, over 150 novellas, several autobiographical works, numerous articles, and scores of pulp novels written under more than two dozen pseudonyms. Altogether, about 550 million copies of his works have been printed.
He is best known, however, for his 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring Commissaire Maigret. The first novel in the series, Pietr-le-Letton, appeared in 1931; the last one, Maigret et M. Charles, was published in 1972. The Maigret novels were translated into all major languages and several of them were turned into films and radio plays. Two television series (1960-63 and 1992-93) have been made in Great Britain.
During his "American" period, Simenon reached the height of his creative powers, and several novels of those years were inspired by the context in which they were written (Trois chambres à Manhattan (1946), Maigret à New York (1947), Maigret se fâche (1947)).
Simenon also wrote a large number of "psychological novels", such as La neige était sale (1948) or Le fils (1957), as well as several autobiographical works, in particular Je me souviens (1945), Pedigree (1948), Mémoires intimes (1981).
In 1966, Simenon was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.
In 2005 he was nominated for the title of De Grootste Belg (The Greatest Belgian). In the Flemish version he ended 77th place. In the Walloon version he ended 10th place.
Although he never resided in Belgium after 1922, he remained a Belgian citizen throughout his life.
Simenon was one of the most prolific writers of the twentieth century, capable of writing 60 to 80 pages per day. His oeuvre includes nearly 200 novels, over 150 novellas, several autobiographical works, numerous articles, and scores of pulp novels written under more than two dozen pseudonyms. Altogether, about 550 million copies of his works have been printed.
He is best known, however, for his 75 novels and 28 short stories featuring Commissaire Maigret. The first novel in the series, Pietr-le-Letton, appeared in 1931; the last one, Maigret et M. Charles, was published in 1972. The Maigret novels were translated into all major languages and several of them were turned into films and radio plays. Two television series (1960-63 and 1992-93) have been made in Great Britain.
During his "American" period, Simenon reached the height of his creative powers, and several novels of those years were inspired by the context in which they were written (Trois chambres à Manhattan (1946), Maigret à New York (1947), Maigret se fâche (1947)).
Simenon also wrote a large number of "psychological novels", such as La neige était sale (1948) or Le fils (1957), as well as several autobiographical works, in particular Je me souviens (1945), Pedigree (1948), Mémoires intimes (1981).
In 1966, Simenon was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.
In 2005 he was nominated for the title of De Grootste Belg (The Greatest Belgian). In the Flemish version he ended 77th place. In the Walloon version he ended 10th place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
March 15, 2023
March Lunchtime Listen
I vaguely remember reading this 3 years ago, but still didn't remember much about it.
I wonder if Simenon , like Conan Doyle tried to finish with his creation and so in his case, just retired him, as this was quite early through the series of novels, or if he just wrote out of order 😊
Anyway in this book , Maigret is retired to the country ( by some of the later books, he and Mme Maigret are thinking of buying a small place for their retirement. ? ).
Anyway, as I said below when I read it, his nephew rudely awakes him with the news he's panicked whilst on a stake out, done something stupid and is about to be arrested for murder. Huffing and Puffing Maigret gets dressed and heads for Paris in the early hours of the morning to try and sort out the mess, but some in the Police Judiciaire are not that happy with his return.
Maigret Series Read started in 2019
So another Maigret, my 19th, in my self imposed quest to read all the Maigret's in order. Interestingly this is the first of my reads that appears to be out of order, because in this book our intrepid hero , has retired with Ms M to the country. Unfortunately his nephew who joined the Judiciaire as Maigret was leaving has made a rookie error and is being accused of murder.
Maigret woken early in the morning dashes back to Paris from his Loire retirement to investigate knowing that if he doesn't his nephew will be found guilty.
Although back in the city he knows best Maigret finds it difficult to concentrate on detection and to focus on what to do next for the best. Ultimately all his skills come to the fore as he tries to trap the leader of the gang to confess.
An enjoyable Maigret , as they all have been so far, just not one of the best
I vaguely remember reading this 3 years ago, but still didn't remember much about it.
I wonder if Simenon , like Conan Doyle tried to finish with his creation and so in his case, just retired him, as this was quite early through the series of novels, or if he just wrote out of order 😊
Anyway in this book , Maigret is retired to the country ( by some of the later books, he and Mme Maigret are thinking of buying a small place for their retirement. ? ).
Anyway, as I said below when I read it, his nephew rudely awakes him with the news he's panicked whilst on a stake out, done something stupid and is about to be arrested for murder. Huffing and Puffing Maigret gets dressed and heads for Paris in the early hours of the morning to try and sort out the mess, but some in the Police Judiciaire are not that happy with his return.
Maigret Series Read started in 2019
So another Maigret, my 19th, in my self imposed quest to read all the Maigret's in order. Interestingly this is the first of my reads that appears to be out of order, because in this book our intrepid hero , has retired with Ms M to the country. Unfortunately his nephew who joined the Judiciaire as Maigret was leaving has made a rookie error and is being accused of murder.
Maigret woken early in the morning dashes back to Paris from his Loire retirement to investigate knowing that if he doesn't his nephew will be found guilty.
Although back in the city he knows best Maigret finds it difficult to concentrate on detection and to focus on what to do next for the best. Ultimately all his skills come to the fore as he tries to trap the leader of the gang to confess.
An enjoyable Maigret , as they all have been so far, just not one of the best
February 28, 2016
In the simply titled Maigret (also published as Maigret Returns), former Detective Chief Inspector Maigret abandons his comfortable retirement in the Loire to return to Paris to extricate his nephew from a murder charge. Philippe Lauer, the son of coddling Madame Maigret’s sister, had prevailed on his uncle to obtain a position for him with the police. But due to his naïveté and blundering, Philippe finds himself charged with the murder of Pepito Palestrino, a scoundrel of a night-club owner.
Maigret no longer has any official capacity, so he can’t officially question suspects, detain anyone, arrest anyone. In addition, he’s stymied by the jealousy of his petty successor, Chief Inspector Amadieu. But Maigret still has his intelligence, his encyclopedic knowledge of human nature, and the loyalty of his longtime assistant, Sergeant Lucas. And, with that, he’s able to exonerate his nephew and nab the real mastermind behind the murders of Palestrino and two others. Readers — whether longtime Maigret aficionados or newbies — will adore this suspenseful read.
Maigret no longer has any official capacity, so he can’t officially question suspects, detain anyone, arrest anyone. In addition, he’s stymied by the jealousy of his petty successor, Chief Inspector Amadieu. But Maigret still has his intelligence, his encyclopedic knowledge of human nature, and the loyalty of his longtime assistant, Sergeant Lucas. And, with that, he’s able to exonerate his nephew and nab the real mastermind behind the murders of Palestrino and two others. Readers — whether longtime Maigret aficionados or newbies — will adore this suspenseful read.
January 12, 2020
Philippe. Le crétin! …
Maigret è à la retraite nella sua casa di campagna sulla Loira con la sua amata signora Maigret. Suo nipote Philippe, che lui stesso aveva fatto entrare au Quai des Orfèvres, va a chiedere il suo aiuto. Il trafficante che lui sorvegliava è stato ucciso e lui rischia di essere incriminato per l’omicidio! Toccherà al buon Jules Maigret tornare a Parigi e provare a tirarlo fuori dai guai …
Ogni volta che mi immergo nella lettura di un ‘Maigret’, questi ha la faccia burbera ma carica di umanità di Gino Cervi e la sua signora quella di un’adorabile e schiva Andreina Pagnani.
Gli sceneggiati televisivi della RAI in bianco e nero (quando ancora la rai era servizio pubblico …) hanno egregiamente interpretato il Maigret ‘simenoniano’, tanto da diventare un ottimo esempio di trasposizione televisiva. Un po’ come è avvenuto, credo, con l’interpretazione che Zingaretti ha dato del commissario Montalbano di Camilleri. E forse non è un caso che, all’epoca, Camilleri abbia lavorato (anche come regista!) alla realizzazione della serie televisiva di Maigret.
Le atmosfere e i luoghi sono quelli della Parigi degli anni ’30, con i suoi lungosenna, le sue brume, le sue brasseries fumose dove gli avventori giocano ‘à la belote’ e gustano un demi o un blanc-Vichy, con le sue “boites” dove però anche le professionnelles assomigliano molto ad Irma la Dolce …
Maigret, ormai fuori dal giro, prova un po’ di imbarazzo incontrando i vecchi colleghi: «Comment allez-vous, patron? Vous êtes venu prendre l’air de Paris?». Girovaga tra le Quai des Orfèvres e la vecchia brasserie “Chope di Pont Neuf”, si affida ancora al fido Lucas e si muove invece con passo deciso all’interno du Dépôt. I dialoghi sono sempre essenziali, talvolta ricchi di quell’ironia sorniona tipica del commissario Maigret, ma sempre in grado di far cogliere la psicologia dei personaggi.
Insomma, finisci di leggere, e mentre Maigret/Cervi pian piano svanisce avvolto nella nuvola di fumo della sua inseparabile pipa, ti sembra di sentire…… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbhO_4...
Formidable!
Maigret è à la retraite nella sua casa di campagna sulla Loira con la sua amata signora Maigret. Suo nipote Philippe, che lui stesso aveva fatto entrare au Quai des Orfèvres, va a chiedere il suo aiuto. Il trafficante che lui sorvegliava è stato ucciso e lui rischia di essere incriminato per l’omicidio! Toccherà al buon Jules Maigret tornare a Parigi e provare a tirarlo fuori dai guai …
Ogni volta che mi immergo nella lettura di un ‘Maigret’, questi ha la faccia burbera ma carica di umanità di Gino Cervi e la sua signora quella di un’adorabile e schiva Andreina Pagnani.
Gli sceneggiati televisivi della RAI in bianco e nero (quando ancora la rai era servizio pubblico …) hanno egregiamente interpretato il Maigret ‘simenoniano’, tanto da diventare un ottimo esempio di trasposizione televisiva. Un po’ come è avvenuto, credo, con l’interpretazione che Zingaretti ha dato del commissario Montalbano di Camilleri. E forse non è un caso che, all’epoca, Camilleri abbia lavorato (anche come regista!) alla realizzazione della serie televisiva di Maigret.
Le atmosfere e i luoghi sono quelli della Parigi degli anni ’30, con i suoi lungosenna, le sue brume, le sue brasseries fumose dove gli avventori giocano ‘à la belote’ e gustano un demi o un blanc-Vichy, con le sue “boites” dove però anche le professionnelles assomigliano molto ad Irma la Dolce …
Maigret, ormai fuori dal giro, prova un po’ di imbarazzo incontrando i vecchi colleghi: «Comment allez-vous, patron? Vous êtes venu prendre l’air de Paris?». Girovaga tra le Quai des Orfèvres e la vecchia brasserie “Chope di Pont Neuf”, si affida ancora al fido Lucas e si muove invece con passo deciso all’interno du Dépôt. I dialoghi sono sempre essenziali, talvolta ricchi di quell’ironia sorniona tipica del commissario Maigret, ma sempre in grado di far cogliere la psicologia dei personaggi.
Insomma, finisci di leggere, e mentre Maigret/Cervi pian piano svanisce avvolto nella nuvola di fumo della sua inseparabile pipa, ti sembra di sentire…… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbhO_4...
Formidable!
February 23, 2020
Questo, secondo le intenzioni di Simenon, sarebbe stato l'ultimo romanzo sul commissario Maigret. Vi troviamo il commissario ormai in pensione e che vive in una villetta appartata con sua moglie, quando suo nipote va a far loro visita e chiede aiuto a suo zio: è indagato per omicidio e si professa innocente! Così il nostro commissario si ritrova a Parigi dai sui vecchi colleghi per indagare e dimostrare l'innocenza di suo nipote.
Che dire, ho trovato un Maigret che non perde mai il suo stile da vero poliziotto (arriva a stare ore e ore dentro un bar per osservare quello che accade) e nonostante le invidie e le gelosie dei suoi ex colleghi, riesce, con pazienza, a far parlare il colpevole (che capiamo subito chi è già nei primi capitoli). Ho trovato un Maigret che rischia anche la vita (quando la banda capisce che lui sa chi è il colpevole dell'omicidio) e ne è consapevole visto che vuole aiutare suo nipote e dimostrare la sua innocenza. Anche a me ha ricordato, in questo romanzo, il tenente Colombo, e anche il commissario Montalbano. Mi ha colpito il suo forte senso del dovere, il suo schierarsi sempre dalla parte della vera umanità e non dei buoni o dei cattivi, e sarà proprio una debolezza umana del colpevole che gli darà la chiave per risolvere questo giallo. Alla fine dell'avventura il nostro ritorna da sua moglie e va a pescare dei pesci, come se l'autore volesse dirci: addio, Maigret, goditi la tua meritata pensione.
Ah, poi Simenon dopo cinque anni di pausa riprese a scrivere nuovi romanzi col commissario Maigret come protagonista, per nostra fortuna!
Che dire, ho trovato un Maigret che non perde mai il suo stile da vero poliziotto (arriva a stare ore e ore dentro un bar per osservare quello che accade) e nonostante le invidie e le gelosie dei suoi ex colleghi, riesce, con pazienza, a far parlare il colpevole (che capiamo subito chi è già nei primi capitoli). Ho trovato un Maigret che rischia anche la vita (quando la banda capisce che lui sa chi è il colpevole dell'omicidio) e ne è consapevole visto che vuole aiutare suo nipote e dimostrare la sua innocenza. Anche a me ha ricordato, in questo romanzo, il tenente Colombo, e anche il commissario Montalbano. Mi ha colpito il suo forte senso del dovere, il suo schierarsi sempre dalla parte della vera umanità e non dei buoni o dei cattivi, e sarà proprio una debolezza umana del colpevole che gli darà la chiave per risolvere questo giallo. Alla fine dell'avventura il nostro ritorna da sua moglie e va a pescare dei pesci, come se l'autore volesse dirci: addio, Maigret, goditi la tua meritata pensione.
Ah, poi Simenon dopo cinque anni di pausa riprese a scrivere nuovi romanzi col commissario Maigret come protagonista, per nostra fortuna!
March 24, 2018
A short take:
I wondered if Maigret would be “retired” for long and, sure enough, Simenon not only concocts a nifty excuse to bring Maigret back, he also takes full advantage of Maigret’s civilian status to make the ensuing investigation more interesting.
This installment is notable for a fantastic exchange between Maigret and his successor, who says:
“You have to admit that your method is impossible to apply in a case like this one...Usually, you get involved in people’s lives; you try to understand their thinking and you take as much interest in things that happened to them twenty years earlier as you do in concrete clues...”
This is exactly Maigret’s method and also the main reason why I like these books. Of course, after struggling with this particular case, Maigret eventually does crack it by understanding the nature and history of his adversary.
I’m nineteen books deep in this long-going series and keen for more.
I wondered if Maigret would be “retired” for long and, sure enough, Simenon not only concocts a nifty excuse to bring Maigret back, he also takes full advantage of Maigret’s civilian status to make the ensuing investigation more interesting.
This installment is notable for a fantastic exchange between Maigret and his successor, who says:
“You have to admit that your method is impossible to apply in a case like this one...Usually, you get involved in people’s lives; you try to understand their thinking and you take as much interest in things that happened to them twenty years earlier as you do in concrete clues...”
This is exactly Maigret’s method and also the main reason why I like these books. Of course, after struggling with this particular case, Maigret eventually does crack it by understanding the nature and history of his adversary.
I’m nineteen books deep in this long-going series and keen for more.
February 15, 2026
Anche in pensione Maigret non perde il suo smalto. E non tradisce i suoi valori. Famiglia, onestà e rispettabilità. E poco importa se alla fine anche un piccolo bluff serve a raggiungere l’obiettivo. E’ come un nonno di cui si ha sempre voglia di ascoltare i racconti.
August 24, 2019
mamma mia....
senza una parola di troppo, né una di meno (in centotrentaquattro pagine c'è posto per una storia gialla, per lo spaesamento di Maigret che è andato in pensione, per le ripicche dei suoi colleghi che non accettano volentieri di vederlo ancora girare per gli uffici, per l'angoscia di una madre il cui figlio è stato arrestato).
uno dei migliori, o forse il migliore di Maigret
senza una parola di troppo, né una di meno (in centotrentaquattro pagine c'è posto per una storia gialla, per lo spaesamento di Maigret che è andato in pensione, per le ripicche dei suoi colleghi che non accettano volentieri di vederlo ancora girare per gli uffici, per l'angoscia di una madre il cui figlio è stato arrestato).
uno dei migliori, o forse il migliore di Maigret
November 22, 2020
3 Stars. Good but not great, yet I'll be back! I had seen Rowan Atkinson's brilliant portrayal of Detective Chief Inspector Jules Maigret on TV and been intrigued. The series has 75 novels and 29 short stories; Simenon was prolific! Maigret and his wife, Louise, just call her Madame Maigret, have recently retired to a small farmhouse near Orleans about 140 kilometres southwest of Paris. At some ungodly hour, there's a pounding on the door. Her nephew, Philippe, is standing there. He's a young police detective who blurts out, "Uncle I'm in big trouble." Maigret's successor, Chief Inspector Amadieu, had sent him on a stakeout at the Floria nightclub in Paris. While Philippe hid in a closet, his target, Pepito, was shot. Philipe's mistake? He handled the murder weapon and was seen leaving the place by that little weasel Audiat, one of the underlings for Cageot who owns the place. Now he is about to be arrested and pleads for Maigret's help. The two return to Paris but Maigret is no longer a police officer. You will enjoy his innovative handling of the case, as well as the night he spends with Fernande, a lady of the evening. Paris is so much fun! (July 2020)
July 11, 2025
4.5 out of 5 rounded up. Something mysteriously relatable about a character being asked to clean up someone else's mess
December 10, 2012
This is a strange book, a sequel to the last one (The Lock at Charenton). Maigret is still retired but comes back to Paris to help out his nephew (a cop), who is being framed for murder. The usual suspects (and types) but the storyas a whole is not that interesting. It almost seems like Simenon is planning to "retire" the whole Maigret series, an event which luckily does not come off. There is, however a long hiatus in Maigret novels after this one.
September 8, 2025
3.5 —
At the age of 18, Georges Simenon began to write. Over the next seven years he produced 150 novels, under various pseudonyms, basically hack work developing his craft. Then in 1931 he began to write the Maigret books. Even some of the earliest ones are excellent. But by 1934 he was bored, and wanted to produce more literary works. And so he stopped writing Maigrets and began his romans durs. This was to be the last volume, as Maigret, who had retired at the end of the previous volume (Lock no. 1 — which is excellent), was forced to come out of retirement to save his nephew in this one. This book is fine, but somewhat mediocre — and the ending is something of a deus ex machina. He also shifted at this time to Gallimard.
But by 1940, a desire for money led him to pick-up Maigret once again — and he continued with these, along with the romans durs, till the end of his life. Almost. Because near the very end he stopped, and began to dictate his 22 volumes (!) of autobiography (which have never, apparently, been translated into English).
What a character…
At the age of 18, Georges Simenon began to write. Over the next seven years he produced 150 novels, under various pseudonyms, basically hack work developing his craft. Then in 1931 he began to write the Maigret books. Even some of the earliest ones are excellent. But by 1934 he was bored, and wanted to produce more literary works. And so he stopped writing Maigrets and began his romans durs. This was to be the last volume, as Maigret, who had retired at the end of the previous volume (Lock no. 1 — which is excellent), was forced to come out of retirement to save his nephew in this one. This book is fine, but somewhat mediocre — and the ending is something of a deus ex machina. He also shifted at this time to Gallimard.
But by 1940, a desire for money led him to pick-up Maigret once again — and he continued with these, along with the romans durs, till the end of his life. Almost. Because near the very end he stopped, and began to dictate his 22 volumes (!) of autobiography (which have never, apparently, been translated into English).
What a character…
July 19, 2023
Audiolibro magistralmente letto (e interpretato) da Battiston.
Trama: Maigret ormai è in pensione e vive in campagna, ma è costretto a tornare a Parigi a causa di un nipote pasticcione che commette una sequela di errori su una scena del crimine.
Meno interessante del solito dal punto di vista introspettivo e dei personaggi (ma la comparsata della cognata è un piccolo capolavoro), però le descrizioni dei luoghi sono magnifiche.
Trama: Maigret ormai è in pensione e vive in campagna, ma è costretto a tornare a Parigi a causa di un nipote pasticcione che commette una sequela di errori su una scena del crimine.
Meno interessante del solito dal punto di vista introspettivo e dei personaggi (ma la comparsata della cognata è un piccolo capolavoro), però le descrizioni dei luoghi sono magnifiche.
December 22, 2017
প্যারিসের অদূরে লোয়ার ভ্যালির গ্রামে রিটায়ার করে গেছেন মেইগ্রে। বাগান করা, মাছ ধরা, এসবই তার বর্তমান কাজ, ঘর-সংসার দেখেন চিরবিশ্বস্ত মাদাম মেইগ্রে। হঠাৎ শীতের রাতে দরজায় সজোর ধাক্কা। "খালু! খালু!" রাত দুপুরে ট্যাক্সি নিয়ে সোজা প্যারিস থেকে চলে এসেছে ভাগ্নে ফিলিপ - পুলিশ বাহিনীতে ওর চাকরির ব্যবস্থা মেইগ্রেই করে দিয়েছিল। অঘটন ঘটিয়ে ফেলেছে বেচারা - মোমার্ত্রের এক নাইটক্লাবে খুনের ঘটনায় জড়িয়ে গেছে কিভাবে। উপায়-বুদ্ধি না পেয়ে ছুটে এসেছে খালুর কাছে সাহায্য চাইতে। অবসর নিয়েছে তো কি হয়েছে, মেইগ্রে নিশ্চয়ই কোন এক পথ বাতলে দিতে পারবেন।
গল্প-উপন্যাস মিলিয়ে মেইগ্রে সিরিজের ১০৩টি অধ্যায়ের ১৯ নম্বর এটি, ১৯৩৪ সালে প্রথম প্রকাশ। ক্লাসিক ঘরানার মেইগ্রে - প্যারিসের রেডলাইট ডিস্ট্রিক্টের স্বাদ-গন্ধ আছে, আছে মোমার্ত্রের বার-ক্যাফে-ক্লাব পাড়ার ঘনিষ্ঠ পরিচয়। রাত বাড়লে নিওনের লালচে আভায় যে এলাকা এত রগরগে আকর্ষণীয়, সকালের ফ্যাকাশে আলোয় তাই আবার মলিন ম্রিয়মাণ। হাতের তালুর মতোই এই পাড়া চেনেন মেইগ্রে - আর তার সাথে সাথে বহু যুগ ধরে মেইগ্রের একাগ্র ভক্তপাঠক। প্রথম যেবার প্যারিস গিয়েছিলাম, কথা না বাড়িয়ে সোজা চলে গিয়েছিলাম মোমার্ত্র। ৭০-৮০ বছর আগে সিমনোনের দেখা পথ-ঘাট-গলি হয়তো বদলে গেছে অনেক, কিন্তু মাতাল পাঠকের রোমাঞ্চ কি আর যায়?
ভালোমন্দ (মূলত মন্দ) মানুষে ঠাসা এই মোমার্ত্র - বারের মালিক, দেহপসারিনী, নাইটক্লাবের ওয়েটার, অবৈধ ইমিগ্র্যান্ট, ড্রাগ ব্যবসায়ী। এদের মধ্যে থেকেই একজন ছোটখাটো গডফাদার - জের্মা কাযেও - যে খুনের পেছনে, তা ঠাহর করতে মেইগ্রের বেশী বেগ পেতে হয় না। কিন্তু মুশকিল তো অকাট্য প্রমান জোগাড়ে। কাযেওর মতো লোক কাঁচা কাজ করবে না, একাধিক খুন সে ইতিমধ্যে করিয়েছে। কিন্তু তার চ্যালাচামুন্ডাদের মধ্যে কে সবচেয়ে নাজুক, কার উপর চাপ প্রয়োগ করলে আঁটি ভাঙবে? লেডিজ ম্যান ইউজেন বের্নিয়া? নাকি মোড়ের বারের কর্তা লুইস? নাকি ক্যাফের ওয়েটার জোসেফ, যেই কিনা ভাগ্নের সর্বনাশ ডেকে এনেছে?
সময় বেশি নেই - ভাগ্নের জেলহাজতের ব্যবস্থা করছে ইন্সপেক্টর আমাদিউ। মেইগ্রেকে অপছন্দ করার মতো লোকের অভাব ছিল না পুলিশ হেডকোয়ার্টারে। রিটায়ার করার পরেও দেখি নিস্তার নেই, চলে এসেছে অকম্মা ভাগ্নেকে বাঁচাতে, পুলিশী তদন্তে বাগড়া দিতে। কিন্তু মেইগ্রে তো প্রশান্ত আইসবার্গের মতো। একবার গতিপথ ঠিক করে ফেললে তাকে ঠেলে সরানো কি সহজ কাজ?
দুটো চিরাচরিত সেট-পিস আছে এই উপন্যাসে - "তাবাক ফন্টেন" বারের এক কোনে বসে প্রায় পুরো একদিন ধরে ক্রিমিনালদের গতিবিধি লক্ষ্য করেন মেইগ্রে। আর দ্বিতীয় সেটপিসটি তার চিরন্তন সাইকোলজিকাল এনালাইসিস। সেখানে কোনান ডয়েল বা ক্রিস্টির গল্পের মতো কে কোথায় কখন ছিল, কে কি clue অসাবধানে ফেলে গেল, এইসব পোলাপাইন্না জিনিস যত না গুরুত্বপূর্ণ, তার থেকে ঢের বেশি জরুরী ক্রিমিনালকে বুঝতে পারা, তার মনের সাথে মিশে যাওয়া, এমন এক মানসিক স্তরে চলে যাওয়া যেখানে আপন ভাইয়ের মতোই জের্মা কাযেওর চরিত্র আর মোটিভেশন সমূহ উপলব্ধি করতে পারবেন মেইগ্রে।
৯১ সালে নীলক্ষেতের ফুটপাথ থেকে কেনা আমার সর্বপ্রথম বই ছিল সবুজ কভারের একটি সিমনোন। পকেটের ১০ টাকার সবটুকুই দিয়ে আসতে হয়েছিল, ভাড়ার টাকাও বাকি রাখেনি। আজ অবধি সেই মুহূর্তটিকে আমার জীবনের অন্যতম শ্রেষ্ঠ ডিসকভারি বলে বিবেচনা করি। ঢাকার সেই মুগ্ধ কিশোরও একদিন মরে ভূত হয়ে যাবে, কিন্তু সিমনোন আর তার অমর সৃষ্টি মেইগ্রে অবশ্যই বেঁচে থাকবেন, অবিনশ্বর হয়ে।
December 1, 2015
As far back as 1934, Georges Simenon wrote a book about Inspector Maigret in retirement, forced to return to the scene of his travails when his nephew Philippe, also with the police, maladroitly becomes accused of a murder he did not commit. Mme Maigret and her sister appeal to the retired detective to take matters in hand. But as a retired police officer, Maigret has no status except his outsize reputation:
This is a new translation by Ros Schwartz of a novel variously called in English Maigret or Maigret Returns.
Maigret knew he was a thorn in everyone's side and that they would have liked to tell him to go to hell, but still he persisted. He stood there for ages, his massive bulk hovering over the chief, blocking his line of vision. Eventually the chief gave in and phone calls were made from one office to another.As if his ambiguous position were not bad enough, he is pitted against an unusually clever bank of gangsters who seem to be immune from prosecurtion. But, as we can surmise, Maigret eventually comes out ahead using a clever trick.
This is a new translation by Ros Schwartz of a novel variously called in English Maigret or Maigret Returns.
March 22, 2019
definitely not one of the best; felt quite laboured, and there was little in the setting or the characters. Almost like somebody else was writing this
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January 3, 2026The idea of Maigret being dragged back to Paris out of retirement is intriguing, but fails in the execution. Simenon deepens the wry setup by fashioning unappetizing relatives of Madame Maigret’s who need to be rescued from their own stupidity. But they are too unappetizing.
The middle section does display Simenon’s inimitably deft touch as Maigret feels his way into the problem. We feel his at-arm’s-length dismay as he observes the desires and limitations of the petty criminals he tracks down, failings that always lead them into disaster.
But the climactic scene simply doesn’t work. It’s clunky and hard to credit. Throughout, the interactions at the quai des Orfèvres seem off-key and lack motivation.
Worth reading for the portrayal of the Montmartre underworld, but not one of the best.
The middle section does display Simenon’s inimitably deft touch as Maigret feels his way into the problem. We feel his at-arm’s-length dismay as he observes the desires and limitations of the petty criminals he tracks down, failings that always lead them into disaster.
But the climactic scene simply doesn’t work. It’s clunky and hard to credit. Throughout, the interactions at the quai des Orfèvres seem off-key and lack motivation.
Worth reading for the portrayal of the Montmartre underworld, but not one of the best.
September 14, 2024
Maigret has retired, but when his nephew Philippe (a police inspector in Paris) is accused of the murder of a nightclub owner, he returns to Paris to track down the culprits and exonerate Philippe. Despite the antagonism of his successor, Maigret visits the bars and clubs of Montmartre as he works tirelessly to uncover the truth.
Another atmospheric crime story leading to an incredibly tense confrontation. With Maigret in retirement, the reader sees a different side of him - his conflict with certain colleagues, his loss of respect from some of the criminals he knows so well, his anger and frustration which unusually breaks out into violence. This leads to a compelling and fascinating story where the outcome is uncertain almost to the end. Great crime writing.
Another atmospheric crime story leading to an incredibly tense confrontation. With Maigret in retirement, the reader sees a different side of him - his conflict with certain colleagues, his loss of respect from some of the criminals he knows so well, his anger and frustration which unusually breaks out into violence. This leads to a compelling and fascinating story where the outcome is uncertain almost to the end. Great crime writing.
April 9, 2017
The nineteenth Maigret (these written between between 1931 and 1934), and in this one Maigret has retired to the country and comes back to Paris when his nephew, a rookie policemen, is suspected of murder.
I imagine that Simenon had decided to finish Maigret, just as Conan Doyle tried to do the same with Sherlock Holmes.
The next one was not until, 1940, and in the end there were 75!
This one is superb again, with the characters of the worlds of nightclubs and the underworld displayed in all their grimness. And Maigret solves this with a true tour de force. Great.
I imagine that Simenon had decided to finish Maigret, just as Conan Doyle tried to do the same with Sherlock Holmes.
The next one was not until, 1940, and in the end there were 75!
This one is superb again, with the characters of the worlds of nightclubs and the underworld displayed in all their grimness. And Maigret solves this with a true tour de force. Great.
February 25, 2017
Τί να πει κανείς για τον Επιθεωρητή Μαιγκρέ....αγαπώ πολύ
February 28, 2022
Maigret has retired to the Loire Valley, but his wife's nephew, Philippe, shows up. He had gotten a job in Paris as a cop, but he has become a suspect in a murder. He claims to be innocent. Maigret goes with him back to Paris and the story proceeds from there. You see the seedy underbelly of Parisian life and one comes to understand how Philippe had gotten involved. Since Maigret is retired, he cannot investigate straightforwardly. Nevertheless, he moves forward, and justice is done.
February 29, 2020
Implacable et obstiné
Maigret è in pensione e vive in campagna, dedicandosi alla cura delle sue piante e del suo giardino. Una "disavventura" capitata allo sprovveduto nipote lo costringe a tornare a Parigi, più per amore verso la moglie che per suo dovere di zio. E a bazzicare, suo malgrado e spesso mal visto nell'ambiente, i suoi vecchi colleghi. Gli avvenimenti non sono complicati e non ci sono scene efferate. Ma sono proprio la freschezza della storia, la razionalità del racconto, la spontaneità dei personaggi, gli accenni discreti e lirici ai luoghi e ai rumori delle vie parigine,... che attraggono e coinvolgono come possono fare i buoni romanzi, indipendentemente dal loro "colore". Da non sottovalutare, poi, la semplicità della scrittura che ritengo in assoluto un pregio e che mi ha permesso, in questo caso, di godere della lettura in lingua originale. Con l'edizione Adelphi accanto, mi sono poi divertita a tradurre le parole per me inusuali e a interpretare direttamente i modi di dire, affidandomi ad Elena Callegari.
- D'habitude, vous vous mêlez à la vie des gens; vous vous occupez davantage de leur mentalité et même de ce qui leur est arrivé vingt ans auparavant, que d'indices matériels. Ici nous sommes en face de zèbres dont nous connaissons à peu près tout...
Maigret è in pensione e vive in campagna, dedicandosi alla cura delle sue piante e del suo giardino. Una "disavventura" capitata allo sprovveduto nipote lo costringe a tornare a Parigi, più per amore verso la moglie che per suo dovere di zio. E a bazzicare, suo malgrado e spesso mal visto nell'ambiente, i suoi vecchi colleghi. Gli avvenimenti non sono complicati e non ci sono scene efferate. Ma sono proprio la freschezza della storia, la razionalità del racconto, la spontaneità dei personaggi, gli accenni discreti e lirici ai luoghi e ai rumori delle vie parigine,... che attraggono e coinvolgono come possono fare i buoni romanzi, indipendentemente dal loro "colore". Da non sottovalutare, poi, la semplicità della scrittura che ritengo in assoluto un pregio e che mi ha permesso, in questo caso, di godere della lettura in lingua originale. Con l'edizione Adelphi accanto, mi sono poi divertita a tradurre le parole per me inusuali e a interpretare direttamente i modi di dire, affidandomi ad Elena Callegari.
- D'habitude, vous vous mêlez à la vie des gens; vous vous occupez davantage de leur mentalité et même de ce qui leur est arrivé vingt ans auparavant, que d'indices matériels. Ici nous sommes en face de zèbres dont nous connaissons à peu près tout...
February 29, 2020
Maigret implacabile e ostinato
Maigret è in pensione e vive in campagna, dedicandosi alla cura delle sue piante e del suo giardino. Una "disavventura" capitata allo sprovveduto nipote lo costringe a tornare a Parigi, più per amore verso la moglie che per suo dovere di zio. E a bazzicare, suo malgrado e spesso mal visto nell'ambiente, i suoi vecchi colleghi. Gli avvenimenti non sono complicati e non ci sono scene efferate. Ma sono proprio la freschezza della storia, la razionalità del racconto, la spontaneità dei personaggi, gli accenni discreti e lirici ai luoghi e ai rumori delle vie parigine,... che attraggono e coinvolgono come possono fare i buoni romanzi, indipendentemente dal loro "colore". Da non sottovalutare, poi, la semplicità della scrittura che ritengo in assoluto un pregio e che mi ha permesso, in questo caso, di godere della lettura in lingua originale. Con l'edizione Adelphi accanto, mi sono poi divertita a tradurre le parole per me inusuali e a interpretare direttamente i modi di dire, affidandomi ad Elena Callegari.
- Di solito lei lavora calandosi nella vita della gente, tenendo conto della mentalità delle persone, finanche di quello che gli è successo vent'anni prima, più che degli indizi. Ma in questo caso ci troviamo di fronte a individui di cui sappiamo pressoché tutto...
Maigret è in pensione e vive in campagna, dedicandosi alla cura delle sue piante e del suo giardino. Una "disavventura" capitata allo sprovveduto nipote lo costringe a tornare a Parigi, più per amore verso la moglie che per suo dovere di zio. E a bazzicare, suo malgrado e spesso mal visto nell'ambiente, i suoi vecchi colleghi. Gli avvenimenti non sono complicati e non ci sono scene efferate. Ma sono proprio la freschezza della storia, la razionalità del racconto, la spontaneità dei personaggi, gli accenni discreti e lirici ai luoghi e ai rumori delle vie parigine,... che attraggono e coinvolgono come possono fare i buoni romanzi, indipendentemente dal loro "colore". Da non sottovalutare, poi, la semplicità della scrittura che ritengo in assoluto un pregio e che mi ha permesso, in questo caso, di godere della lettura in lingua originale. Con l'edizione Adelphi accanto, mi sono poi divertita a tradurre le parole per me inusuali e a interpretare direttamente i modi di dire, affidandomi ad Elena Callegari.
- Di solito lei lavora calandosi nella vita della gente, tenendo conto della mentalità delle persone, finanche di quello che gli è successo vent'anni prima, più che degli indizi. Ma in questo caso ci troviamo di fronte a individui di cui sappiamo pressoché tutto...
May 30, 2015
As we know at this time of Simenon's writing Maigret has retired; whether it was his intention to pension him off full time I'm glad he changed his mind eventually. Here however the former detective is in a difficult position. Called in by his sister-in-law to save his nephew from a murder charges, he still commands respect from his former colleagues but has no power and the criminals know he may still have a bark but he has no bite.
The author therefore plays with this frustration and Maigret seems unable to break the case even though it is clear guilt lies elsewhere, no-one will grass within the criminal gang.
Maigret's usual skills and methods are not helpful since he cannot question directly; his intuition wasted as he cannot get the proof he requires to exonerate his relation.
This is a very interesting book, seeing Magret almost a comic figure, impotent to change events. He tries to get involved with the main players but they keep him on the outside, away from the truth, so that he is no better than a spectator.
How Maigret finally understands his man is another great insight into his character and a must to read for all fans of these books.
The author therefore plays with this frustration and Maigret seems unable to break the case even though it is clear guilt lies elsewhere, no-one will grass within the criminal gang.
Maigret's usual skills and methods are not helpful since he cannot question directly; his intuition wasted as he cannot get the proof he requires to exonerate his relation.
This is a very interesting book, seeing Magret almost a comic figure, impotent to change events. He tries to get involved with the main players but they keep him on the outside, away from the truth, so that he is no better than a spectator.
How Maigret finally understands his man is another great insight into his character and a must to read for all fans of these books.
December 7, 2015
When Margaret Atwood said in the New York Times column "By the Book" that one of the books she was reading was Georges Simenon's Maigret, I decided to take this as a tip to read a good book. Soon I was reading about the detective she called "gritty." I had read Holmes, Poirot, Marple, and Nero Wolfe, but I had never heard of Maigret. This 1934 novel is one of dozens of novels and short stories built around the character. Maybe he is gritty, but I would more likely call his shrewd, intuitive, and a seeker of justice. The story is simple -- Maigret's nephew Philippe is going to be arrested for a crime he didn't commit. Philippe takes a taxi from Paris to the Loire to get his retired uncle to come back to Paris to assist him. Maigret assesses the situation and figures out a way to expose the truth -- and that is the story. Juxtaposed to a 2015 detective story, it is sparse, but you will soon be a fan of this new/old detective.
January 12, 2016
A retired to the countryside Maigret returns to Paris to extricate his nephew from the charge of murder. But he is no longer chief inspector, and has little clout and few real friends on the Police Judiciare. But he knows his way around Paris, and working from a hotel he is soon smoking his pipe, drinking a libation, and on the path of a well-alibied leader of a drug ring.
April 8, 2016
This is the second book of Simenon's I've read. The man was more prolific than Stephen King, but better at plot. I don't much care for mysteries, and this book didn't make me like them any better.
July 6, 2016
A little convoluted and far-fetched in plot but I loved the descriptions of a Maigret battling between the desire to stay in retirement and the pull of his love of criminal police work.
October 19, 2016
Vintage Maigret. Back in Paris after retirement trying to rescue his policeman nephew who is accused of murder.
Twists and turns.
Twists and turns.
April 17, 2017
A neat novella in which Maigret almost literally sleepwalks his way to a solution, a study in the art of patiently doing nothing very loudly to provoke a fatal error.
May 7, 2017
Not as good as some of the other Maigret novels I've read, but it was still interesting.
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