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Five Times Maigret: A Five-Novel Omnibus, Maigret in Montmartre; Maigret's Mistake; Maigret Has Scruples; Maigret and the Reluctant Witness; Maigret Goes to School
Maigret in Montmartre - Lapointe falls in love with Arlette, a striptease dancer with a uniquely mesmerizing quality... Maigret's Mistake - Louise Filon is murdered in her classy apartment in the Avenue Carnot. Her boyfriend Pierrot the saxophonist was seen there the evening of the murder - but they are both Montmartre types and the reason for her murder revolves around Professor Gouin who keeps her in this flat. Maigret Has Scruples - Xavier Marton, who sells electric trains at the Magasins du Louvre, is convinced that his wife wants to poison him with white phosphide. Gisèle Marton works in a fine lingerie shop in the Rue Saint-Honoré, for a man named Harris...her sister Jenny lives in their home. But who murders whom, and how? "There exists, between responsibility and irresponsibility, an indefinite zone, a realm of shadows into which it is dangerous to venture." Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses - Léonard Lachaume is killed on the Quai de la Gare, at Iv
525 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1964
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Georges Simenon
2,738 books2,304 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 7, 2011
I really enjoyed the last four of these Maigrets - the first, Maigret in Montmartre, was not as good, I would have given it 4 stars.
Thumbnails of the 5 books:
Maigret in Montmartre - Lapointe falls in love with Arlette, a striptease dancer with a uniquely mesmerizing quality...
Maigret's Mistake - Louise Filon is murdered in her classy apartment in the Avenue Carnot. Her boyfriend Pierrot the saxophonist was seen there the evening of the murder - but they are both Montmartre types and the reason for her murder revolves around Professor Gouin who keeps her in this flat.
Maigret Has Scruples - Xavier Marton, who sells electric trains at the Magasins du Louvre, is convinced that his wife wants to poison him with white phosphide. Gisèle Marton works in a fine lingerie shop in the Rue Saint-Honoré, for a man named Harris...her sister Jenny lives in their home. But who murders whom, and how? "There exists, between responsibility and irresponsibility, an indefinite zone, a realm of shadows into which it is dangerous to venture."
Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses - Léonard Lachaume is killed on the Quai de la Gare, at Ivry, near the Lachaume biscuit factory. The Lachaume family is mute, having staged a supposed break-in to account for the murder, and it turns out they have gone to great lengths to keep the bankrupt factory going and avoid facing the truth of their family's decline.
Maigret Goes to School - Maigret is lured to Charente by the hope of oysters and champagne, but his "reason" is to help the determinedly honest schoolmaster, Joseph Gastin, who is being framed for the murder of an unpleasant old lady in the small town of Saint-André-sur-Mer. The villagers close ranks and condemn Gastin, but Maigret sniffs out the solution among the local schoolboys...
From Maigret's Mistake:
"Everything the Professor had said from the start, Maigret himself believed deep within him. Their ideas about men and their motives were not very far apart.
The difference lay in the attitudes with which they faced the problem.
Gouin only made use of what Maigret would have called pure reason. Whereas the inspector was trying...
He would have been hard put to it to define what he was trying to do. Perhaps from understanding people he derived not merely a feeling of pity, but also a kind of affection.
Gouin observed them from on high.
Maigret placed himself on the same level as they."
A collection worth owning, a kaleidoscopic view of Maigret.
Thumbnails of the 5 books:
Maigret in Montmartre - Lapointe falls in love with Arlette, a striptease dancer with a uniquely mesmerizing quality...
Maigret's Mistake - Louise Filon is murdered in her classy apartment in the Avenue Carnot. Her boyfriend Pierrot the saxophonist was seen there the evening of the murder - but they are both Montmartre types and the reason for her murder revolves around Professor Gouin who keeps her in this flat.
Maigret Has Scruples - Xavier Marton, who sells electric trains at the Magasins du Louvre, is convinced that his wife wants to poison him with white phosphide. Gisèle Marton works in a fine lingerie shop in the Rue Saint-Honoré, for a man named Harris...her sister Jenny lives in their home. But who murders whom, and how? "There exists, between responsibility and irresponsibility, an indefinite zone, a realm of shadows into which it is dangerous to venture."
Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses - Léonard Lachaume is killed on the Quai de la Gare, at Ivry, near the Lachaume biscuit factory. The Lachaume family is mute, having staged a supposed break-in to account for the murder, and it turns out they have gone to great lengths to keep the bankrupt factory going and avoid facing the truth of their family's decline.
Maigret Goes to School - Maigret is lured to Charente by the hope of oysters and champagne, but his "reason" is to help the determinedly honest schoolmaster, Joseph Gastin, who is being framed for the murder of an unpleasant old lady in the small town of Saint-André-sur-Mer. The villagers close ranks and condemn Gastin, but Maigret sniffs out the solution among the local schoolboys...
From Maigret's Mistake:
"Everything the Professor had said from the start, Maigret himself believed deep within him. Their ideas about men and their motives were not very far apart.
The difference lay in the attitudes with which they faced the problem.
Gouin only made use of what Maigret would have called pure reason. Whereas the inspector was trying...
He would have been hard put to it to define what he was trying to do. Perhaps from understanding people he derived not merely a feeling of pity, but also a kind of affection.
Gouin observed them from on high.
Maigret placed himself on the same level as they."
A collection worth owning, a kaleidoscopic view of Maigret.
May 6, 2021
I usually read one or two Maigret stories a year, so since this book had five, I spread it out over several months, between my other reading. All typical Maigret stories, which means they are not terribly complicated, but easily enjoyable. Lots of atmosphere, wonderful character descriptions, lots of food and drink, with Maigret in the center being thoughtful and quietly solving the cases, alongside his usual fellow detectives. I love when he goes home for lunch or calls his wife to say he won't be home, and she knows whether to ask questions or leave him to his thoughts, or sometimes offers suggestions for him to consider.
April 19, 2021
The first time I've read Georges Simenon and these are really well-done. This 525-page book contains five Maigret novels. They are all pretty short, but very atmospheric...you really get the sense of 1950s Paris (the dark side primarily, since many of the deaths involve prostitutes, etc.). Maigret is a little sad, a little quiet, always exhibits integrity and--so far, at least--always finds the murderer. Well-written and I am inspired to read ore by Simenon...
May 12, 2024
Maigret's Mistake > Maigret Goes to School > Maigret Has Scruples > Maigret and the Reluctant Witness > Maigret in Montmarte
Very enjoyable though the translation is noticeably bad. There are 70 more of these so if I read 5 a year, I'll finish them in 14 years.
Very enjoyable though the translation is noticeably bad. There are 70 more of these so if I read 5 a year, I'll finish them in 14 years.
Read
March 21, 2023Includes:
Maigret Right and Wrong
comprised of
Maigret in Montmartre (My second least favorite Maigret so far.)
and
Maigret's Mistake
plus
Maigret Has Scruples
Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses
Maigret Goes to School (Definitely my least favorite Maigret due to the setting.)
Maigret Right and Wrong
comprised of
Maigret in Montmartre (My second least favorite Maigret so far.)
and
Maigret's Mistake
plus
Maigret Has Scruples
Maigret and the Reluctant Witnesses
Maigret Goes to School (Definitely my least favorite Maigret due to the setting.)
August 14, 2008
Maigret is good and predictable and about the only thing by Simenon that has seemed worth it. This is good selection and varied, especially the last, which takes place on the Atlantic Coast of France. Having just driven through this section of France and having just eaten those Oysters and drank that White Wine Maigret dreams of--that sea and cool always blowing evening wind--he gets it well and the feeling of country-ness in France.
Though the stories are simple, they are good night reading.
Though the stories are simple, they are good night reading.
August 31, 2015
I read this book many yrs ago when I was in my 20s and I don't remember anything about it. I want to read it again
July 18, 2011
excellant book.
May 13, 2012
Simenon never wears out -- probably the most amazing writer of all time, when you consider both quality and quantity. Like all the Maigret books, these are first-rate.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews