From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Pietr the Latvian (Maigret, #1)

Georges Simenon,

David Bellos (Translation)

Start date: September 15, 2021

Finish date: October 5, 2021

Why we're reading this: A group of members want to start buddy reads of the Maigret series.
[close] A group of members want to start buddy reads of the Maigret series.

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Aug 09, 2017 Nancy Oakes added it

Shelves: crime-fiction, translated-crime-fiction, crime-fiction-belgium, 1930s

When I finally was able to finish this book, I really wanted to go right away to the next one in the series, but it will keep for a few days.

Not only did I have fun playing armchair detective with this one because it is indeed a puzzler, but just as the book was starting to wind down and the solution to the case at hand about to be revealed, I surprised myself when I realized that what comes out of the last few pages is actually the very stuff of Simenon's excellent romans durs, in which, as J ...more

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Sep 12, 2021 Susan in NC rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle, audiobook, library-book, tbr-with-gr-groups

3.5-4 stars - I’ve never read this author before that I can recall, but I did watch the PBS masterpiece theater dramatization years ago with, I think, Michael Chambon as Maigret.

I enjoyed this debut mystery, it felt intriguing and assured. Simenon describes Maigret as “a mountain” of a man, and looking like “a proletariat”, rather humorous for this American reader, but he does not hesitate to show Maigret’s more sensitive side, and he definitely displays a lot more self-control than I would hav 3.5-4 stars - I’ve never read this author before that I can recall, but I did watch the PBS masterpiece theater dramatization years ago with, I think, Michael Chambon as Maigret.

I enjoyed this debut mystery, it felt intriguing and assured. Simenon describes Maigret as “a mountain” of a man, and looking like “a proletariat”, rather humorous for this American reader, but he does not hesitate to show Maigret’s more sensitive side, and he definitely displays a lot more self-control than I would have in some of the scenes! Amazingly to me, the author manages to convey the tedium of a grueling stakeout, as a soaking wet, hungry and exhausted Maigret doggedly tracks a suspect, yet maintains the tight pacing and tension, so that the reader feels anything could happen. I thought it was very well done.

My only complaint, a minor one but I found it rather distracting, was how the author describes a female suspect as both beautiful one minute, and then slovenly the next, describing her as haggard, hysterical, slatternly, and how there was hair and dirt all over her dingy flat. It could be a translation issue, but I found it rather strange and distracting. I think Simenon was trying to show the tragedy of the suspect, that she was a strong and attractive character, but degraded by her surroundings and circumstances. Seeing her through Maigret’s eyes made her seem more nuanced and tragic.

I like Simenon’s tight, sparse, yet expressive writing, how he wasn’t afraid to show this big, tough mountain of a man could feel sympathy over the tragedy of both his suspects, despite what they had done, and a very personal loss (no spoilers) which devastated him, but forced him to carry on - not for vengeance, but to discover the truth - made him seem much more humane and deeply decent. I also enjoyed the atmosphere Simenon created, whether a rainy cold night, an accidental dunking in cold salt water - and I loved big, tough Maigret always looking for a warm spot near a heat source, whatever room he was in! And he seems quite fond of his stove, his pipe and good food (except for the pipe, I respect that!). Finally, it was nice to see Madame M. at the end - they seem to have a solid relationship, nice to see in a detective novel, so often wives, indeed all female characters, are often absent or stereotypes. She seems to be a supportive ideal police wife, I know because my mother was one, not asking too many questions, always with a meal ready at all hours, and a sympathetic, practical ear available to listen.

I enjoyed this, would like to read more. ...more

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Feb 14, 2015 Nanosynergy rated it liked it

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers-espionage, series, fiction, reviewed, fiction-1930s, 2015read, france, translated

Book 1 of 75 in Georges Simenon's Inspector Maigret series. Set in 1930's Paris and France. Inspector Maigret is a large, gruff, pipe-smoking, clever investigator. Starting with a murder on a train, Maigret doggedly tails a suspected con man until he basically confesses. It is interesting to read a police detective book set in 1930's France. Inspector Maigret is a memorable character. ...more

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May 26, 2015 Ruskoley rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, book-1

This is how I think of noir. Published (I think?) in 1930, in French, I am certain that some of the unclear/confused parts are related to those facts. Otherwise, Maigret is as fascinating as any major literary character. There are sections, too, where Simenon just writes - and in those parts, the prose flows and the ideas crescendo. For the most part, though, the pared-down and bareness make the tone of this crime novel very noir and hidden. Definitely worth reading, even if this isn't a masterp ...more

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