What do you think?
Rate this book
The first Simenon omnibus
English, French (translation)
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Georges Simenon
2,738 books2,300 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2025
I didn't enjoy these stories.
A businessman walks away from his family because his son is flirting with a sixteen year old delivery boy. Talk to the son, warn him not to get involved with staff, but do not walk away from the family.
A woman tells her husband to buy her a sealskin coat next time, not mink, which has become common. She's been looking at a fashion magazine. I think Brigitte Bardot was right.
The third story is about the death of a gambler in casinos. I didn't find anyone to like.
Others may enjoy the stories more than I did.
A businessman walks away from his family because his son is flirting with a sixteen year old delivery boy. Talk to the son, warn him not to get involved with staff, but do not walk away from the family.
A woman tells her husband to buy her a sealskin coat next time, not mink, which has become common. She's been looking at a fashion magazine. I think Brigitte Bardot was right.
The third story is about the death of a gambler in casinos. I didn't find anyone to like.
Others may enjoy the stories more than I did.
July 31, 2017
This comprises "Maigret's boyhood friend", "Big Bob", and "November". I got this book from the Dulverton Bookshop really on spec, and have thoroughly enjoyed each of the three books. I've reviewed each of them individually on the site.
[note to self: since I've notched the three books individually within the 2017 challenge, this can;t go into the reading challenge thingy.]
[note to self: since I've notched the three books individually within the 2017 challenge, this can;t go into the reading challenge thingy.]
November 6, 2024
Three dark novellas. Pacy, intriguing and compelling. Very good
Want to read
October 21, 2024Three novels:
**** Monsieur Monde Vanishes (1945)
The Neighbours (1967)
***** Maigret and the Nahour Case (1966)
**** Monsieur Monde Vanishes (1945)
The Neighbours (1967)
***** Maigret and the Nahour Case (1966)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews