Reading the Detectives discussion
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Pietr the Latvian
Maigret buddy reads
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Pietr the Latvian - SPOILER Thread (Sep/Oct 21)
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I haven't finished yet, but I was shocked at the murder of the policeman - partly because he was one of the regular sidekicks in the Rupert Davies series, so I fully expected him to be in the rest of the book series!
Maigret was obviously very attached to him, so I was surprised he went out early.
That shocked me as well - you just assume he will always have a second in command who is a sidekick. Killing him off in the first book was chancey - but I think Simenon made good use of Maigret’s pain and anger. And yet, unlike a modern vendetta thriller, he did not go on a rampage and start killing all the suspects. Gave us the chance to see his self-control, sense of justice, that he was not willing to abuse his power, even to avenge a fellow officer and friend. Actually made me like and admire him more as a character. And I’m curious to see if he clicks with his new “second” in the next book.
I think it did make him more determined, but as you say he didn't go on the rampage, like so many of the modern detectives do.
Just finished, and I’m afraid this was not for me. I thought the writing was awful and the author had no grasp of police procedure. Maigret’s superhuman pursuit of the case (he apparently didn’t sleep for a week, and with an infected bullet wound yet) just seemed silly to me, out of proportion to the petty nature of the case. The death of the detective was the only moment of convincing emotion. Reviewed here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
Abigail wrote: "Just finished, and I’m afraid this was not for me. I thought the writing was awful and the author had no grasp of police procedure. Maigret’s superhuman pursuit of the case (he apparently didn’t sl..."I didn't get any sense of any 'procedure', right or wrong, and Maigret's superhuman powers of endurance seemed unnecessary - a good night's sleep would have done wonders. I'm not sure if it was just Simenon's style, or the fault of the translator, but I was not enthalled, and found it hard to concentrate when listening.
But did anyone else notice Fécamp, which also featured in
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I return to Maigret from time to time , especially when I'm looking for a quick read. The only problem I have is the generally dour air pervading the books, there's practically no humor to be found and I find I have to be in the right mood for that.
Rosina wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Just finished, and I’m afraid this was not for me. I thought the writing was awful and the author had no grasp of police procedure. Maigret’s superhuman pursuit of the case (he appa..."Yes, i thought we are really on a roll with Fecamp!
I bought this yesterday as a digital book and read it today in one sitting. I can't imagine how anyone can say this is a badly written book. The writing is very fine and if anything, perhaps a little too literary for a mystery. It's rather slow moving but not unenjoyable. Thankfully there's no flowery prose here.
I do find that, unless the story and characters are poorly sketched, it's best to slow down when a book moves slowly. Too many people tend to speed up and scan or skim. Not every mystery is meant to be thrilling.
As to the new translations, they are said to be very well done and as close to the original as can be.
I appreciated the old world procedural methods - legwork and stakeouts. And I also appreciated the darkness of the book. Not bad at all for the first book to feature Maigret.
All of the above isn't for everyone, but that doesn't make it badly written. 4/5.
Mod
Just found an interesting review in the Guardian, which I'm posting a link to in the spoiler thread as it mentions some plot points. The reviewer, Sam Jordison, says there are some problems in this book and that the writing style and characterisation improve as the series goes on:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
Interesting to hear that Simenon threw a huge party for the launch of the series, with 1,000 party goers all in fancy dress!
Mod
It was filmed as part of the Rupert Davies TV series - fourth season. I've not seen it myself but the entire series has recently been released on Blu-ray by Network.
Colin wrote: "It was filmed as part of the Rupert Davies TV series - fourth season. I've not seen it myself but the entire series has recently been released on Blu-ray by Network."Where he was called Pietr the Lett. Latvian is perhaps more respectful.
I'd say Lett is just a more old-fashioned term rather than less respectful.Here in Greece the country Latvia is Λετονία (Letonia) so it's not as though the term Lett or its derivatives has no modern usage, it's just become less common in English.
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Here in the U,S., I’ve only seen the Michael Gambon version, many years ago, don’t remember anything about it. Rowan Atkinson, wow, can’t imagine that - I always think of him as Mr. Bean or Blackadder!
I've only seen the Rupert Davies series (theme tune now remembered) but it worked well because of the French/Parisian feel to it all - the accordian, the little cafes, the different architecture/landscape etc. I was rather disappointed that the book seemed to just list the boulevards and avenues through which they tailed Pietr, without ever actually invoking the atmosphere of Paris.
Very unusual for a film to be better than the book. ( apart from Jaws) I will try to see the the Rupert Davies one when I can.
Jill wrote: "Very unusual for a film to be better than the book. ( apart from Jaws) I will try to see the the Rupert Davies one when I can."It is over 60 years old now, and I was but a young teenager (we'd only just got a TV) so my memory might be slightly gilded. But of course abroad was ever so foreign in those days. I didn't go to France until after the series ended, and can't swear that the French atmosphere was realistic. But it seemed so to me.
And it is easier to evoke scenery and architecture in film than in a book, where the background is usually taken as read, and excess descriptions of French traffic and bars and the smell of the Metro would seem excessive to people who actually lived in the places being written about.
Rosina wrote: "I haven't finished yet, but I was shocked at the murder of the policeman - partly because he was one of the regular sidekicks in the Rupert Davies series, so I fully expected him to be in the rest ..."I wonder if Simenon realized that this would be the start of a long series. Killing off the side-kick would be a good way to illustrate Maigret's character by how he responds, and Simenon might not have thought of wanting the character to be there for the rest of the books. Does he get another regular partner later in the series?
Judy wrote: "It's a few years since I read this and must confess I haven't got round to rereading it as I'm somewhat overwhelmed with books at the moment - all I remember now is the positive elements, particula..."Thanks for posting that review, Judy, it really sums up how I felt about the novel-I wasn't really captivated, but feel I want to read more to see how Simenon develops both the character and his style over time.
Frances wrote: "Rosina wrote: "I haven't finished yet, but I was shocked at the murder of the policeman - partly because he was one of the regular sidekicks in the Rupert Davies series, so I fully expected him to ..."I wondered about this as well. As a reader, I often get almost as attached to the “sidekick” as I do to the main detective - Captain Hastings springs to mind!
Fox in Marsh’s Alleyn
This is the second Maigret that I have read but I have really enjoyed them. They are not typical (ie: English mysteries) which I think is part of the appeal. I adore Agatha Christie and other Golden Age mysteries but the Maigret's are more alive to me. A bit more gritty, and the writing reminds me a bit of when I had read Camus. It is terse with very specific word choice and a touch of stream of consciousness, which I think fits with the time and place where it was written. In terms of the plot, I did figure out a main part of it early on but that didn't make it dull or any less exciting. Pietr was like a chameleon so I was intrigued to find out who he "really" was. I am definitely planning to continue with the series.
Marie wrote: "This is the second Maigret that I have read but I have really enjoyed them. They are not typical (ie: English mysteries) which I think is part of the appeal. I adore Agatha Christie and other Golde..."Excellent points - I haven’t read Camus since college (looooong time ago), don’t remember enough to speak to that, but I did feel this was grittier, with a spare, almost noir writing style. Worked for me, kept me reading, wanting to know what exactly was going on! This was my first Maigret, but I want to read further, as well.
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I've never read Camus (math major and they didn't make us read much).
Susan in NC wrote: "That shocked me as well - you just assume he will always have a second in command who is a sidekick. Killing him off in the first book was chancey - but I think Simenon made good use of Maigret’s p..."His reaction to his partner's death was the most memorable part of the book to me. His grief and guilt and desire to avenge the killing was in such contrast to his calm, methodical nature. It illustrated the humanity of a dedicated policeman.
ChrisGA wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "That shocked me as well - you just assume he will always have a second in command who is a sidekick. Killing him off in the first book was chancey - but I think Simenon made goo..."Yes, I felt the same, but I was impressed he didn’t go on a violent rampage, seeking revenge. He felt guilt and grief, and seemed more relatable and human.
If you want a really faithful TV portrayal of Maigret and you don't mind subtitles, do check out the French series with Bruno Cremer as Maigret. My husband and I consider it the absolute best. Every detail is well-done, from the settings, props, and costumes to Cremer himself--equal parts good cheer, introspection, and determination.
Betsy wrote: "If you want a really faithful TV portrayal of Maigret and you don't mind subtitles, do check out the French series with Bruno Cremer as Maigret. My husband and I consider it the absolute best. Ever..."While Gambon is quite adequate, I have to agree with you and your husband. Bruno Cremer is the best (so far).
Reading the Detectives
Books mentioned in this topic
Mystery in the Channel (other topics)Pietr the Latvian (other topics)
The first novel which appeared in Georges Simenon's famous Maigret series, in a gripping new translation by David Bellos.
Not that he looked like a cartoon policeman. He didn't have a moustache and he didn't wear heavy boots. His clothes were well cut and made of fairly light worsted. He shaved every day and looked after his hands.
But his frame was proletarian. He was a big, bony man. His firm muscles filled out his jacket and quickly pulled all his trousers out of shape.
He had a way of imposing himself just by standing there. His assertive presence had often irked many of his own colleagues.
In Simenon's first novel featuring Maigret, the laconic detective is taken from grimy bars to luxury hotels as he traces the true identity of Pietr the Latvian.
Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.