Maigret and the Calame Report

Inspector Maigret #46

by Georges Simenon, Moura Budberg (Translator)

The Inspector must enter the unsavory world of politics to help a conscientious politician.Maigret is secretly summoned by a distraught cabinet minister who needs help in recovering a document - the Calame report, an engineering study that warned that a government-funded children's sanitarium was of unstable design. The study was hushed up, the report stolen, and the disaster made reality - with 128 children killed in the building's collapse. Now Maigret must plumb the depths of government corruption to find the thief and the report - and let the compromised government fall where it may.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, France, Thriller, Audiobook, Noir

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Georges 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.

Reviews

[Luís · Rating 3 out of 5]

Against his will, moved by the obscure sympathy inspired by a man unfairly implicated, Maigret is forced to wade through the murky world of politics, where disappointed ambitions, embittered vanities, and envious mediocrities thrive. All kinds of spooks thrive in this smelly mud. The superintendent methodically disentangles the plot threads but is a little winded — a little Simenon.

[Metodi Markov · Rating 4 out of 5]

От всичко на света, комисар Жул Мегре най-мрази да бъде въвлечен в политически проблеми.

Но когато министъра на строителството му отправя чисто човешки молба за помощ, той няма как да остане безучастен!

Моята оценка - 3,5*, хареса ми.

[Ivonne Rovira]

The squeaky-clean minister of public works finds himself being scapegoated by unseen politic forces and calls in Detective Chief Inspector Maigret. The mystery is a wonderfully plotted one, but the aspect that will long remain with me is the argument proffered that politics is a business too dirty for decent men. Clearly, by the end of the novel Minister Auguste Point has joined Maigret — and, presumably, author Georges Simenon — in that conclusion; however, that leaves the obvious point. If upright, honest men like Point all scurry away, that leaves the government in the hands of scurrilous, deceitful operators like Parliamentary Deputy Joseph Mascoulin. Very unsettling.

[Three · Rating 4 out of 5]

parte con il botto, il colloquio con il ministro è splendido, poi comincia un'indagine aggrovigliata, della cui complicazione Maigret si renderà conto quando riuscirà ad avere tutti i fili in mano.
I gialli di Maigret, in genere, danno un'immagine ottimistica del mondo, perché - per quante brutture si vedano nel corso delle indagini - un commissario intelligentissimo ed integerrimo, con colleghi meno bravi di lui ma altrettanto affidabili, ed una moglie che ha sensibilità da vendere, estirpa il colpevole, fa vergognare i complici, riconosce i puri.
Qui non viene estirpato niente. È certamente più verosimile, ma lascia un sapore amaro.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maigret investigates a missing report that would implicate many politicians in a cover up of a disaster that killed 100 children. A Minister asks for his help when the only copy of the report is stolen from his apartment.

Maigret uncovers corrupt politicians and although he clears the Minister’s name of a cover up the real villain escapes scot free. What I like about Simenon is his realistic writing where those at the top escape capture or disgrace.

Maigret doesn’t like political intrigue and only does the case because of his sympathy for the Minister who is honest and similar to Maigret.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This case is a diversion for Maigret as it is not a straightforward criminal investigation. At the request of a respected minister he is called in to save his political career and personal integrity.
He has been offered a controversial report and before he can share it with others in government it is stolen from his apartments.
The implication being that the government are suppressing the report; no-one would believe its theft as it plays into their hands ensuring the truth doesn't come to light, the people will believe the minister destroyed it to achieve this purpose.
Maigret we learn has bad memories about political cases as his past dealings still haunt his career.
Now, he is embroiled in a world not of his choosing and outside his comfort zone. He comments to his junior that unlike their normal work they are in a area a complicated as the number of political parties with that number of sides to consider.
However, in Simenon writing it is reduced to the personalities involved, he sees a little of himself in the minister and he embarks on his enquiries in his usual manner. The writer speaks of the many hours of interviews, false leads before it starts to take shape and a solution is seen.
Fascinating human interaction, insights into the mind of Maigret and as relevant as many a scandal today in this shady environment.
By the end I am certain that the chief inspector chose the lot of a policeman and being Maigret content with his life and his understanding of others. Makes for an interesting read in a modern translation that gives life and an immediacy to the story.

[Fil · Rating 4 out of 5]

TEORIA SMENTITA

"In ogni giallo deve esserci almeno un omicidio. Nessun altro crimine è sufficiente per scrivere un giallo superiore alle cento pagine".

Simenon ci mostra che questa teoria (forse della regina Agatha Christie ma non sono sicuro) è assolutamente falsa. Maigret indaga su un "banale" furto di un documento ed il colpevole sarà condannato solo a due anni di reclusione.

Tuttavia resta un ottimo giallo, riguardante il teso rapporto tra investigatori e politica.

《 In un omicidio, di solito c'è un solo colpevole o un gruppo di colpevoli che agiscono in accordo. In politica è diverso, e la prova è che ci sono partiti alla Camera.

Quell'idea lo divertiva.

A parecchia gente interessa il Rapporto per vari motivi. Non ci sono solo i politici che la pubblicazione del Rapporto metterebbe in una cattiva luce. Ci sono coloro per i quali il Rapporto significa soldi e coloro per i quali significa potere.》

Molti commissari (francesi, scandinavi, ed anche il nostro Montalbano) odiano doversi immischiare in faccende politiche. Sanno infatti che, qualsiasi strada prenderà il caso, l'indagine si concluderà in maniera malinconica. Perfettamente descritta da Simenon nelle ultime righe di questo insolito giallo senza nessun assassino.

[Antonella Imperiali · Rating 4 out of 5]

«In un crimine comune di solito c’è un solo colpevole, o un gruppo di colpevoli che agiscono d’intesa. In politica è diverso, prova ne è che alla Camera ci sono tanti partiti».

Concetto che può ritenersi valido anche ai giorni nostri, ma questo di Maigret è un sentire diverso: lui, con la politica, non va proprio d’accordo.
E quando suo malgrado, e sulla fiducia che ha nei suoi confronti, un deputato chiede il suo aiuto, è con una certa riluttanza che accetta il caso, quasi senza impegno e senza che i suoi grandi capi lo vengano a sapere se non molto tardi, tanto per agire in piena legalità.

Al deputato hanno sottratto un fascicolo, che aveva in consegna, contenente la perizia tecnica riguardante la costruzione di un sanatorio infantile, di proprietà dello Stato, poi crollato, causando la morte di 128 bambini. Il rapporto era negativo circa il sito scelto per edificare la struttura e ne aveva previsto la catastrofe. La relazione viene trascurata dai politici, il sanatorio viene costruito e il disastro purtroppo si verifica. I nomi del mondo politico coinvolti nella vicenda sono parecchi e farebbe comodo a tutti se il documento non si trovasse, perché se la verità sulla tragedia dovesse venir fuori, molte teste cadrebbero.
È un braccio di ferro, una prova di forza, un muoversi fra le maglie del potere e tra uomini che non hanno scrupoli... il deputato rischia di essere accusato di aver fatto sparire il rapporto per insabbiare la vicenda e favorire qualche collega, rimettendoci reputazione e carriera, ma alla fine i responsabili vengono fuori: il documento risulta effettivamente rubato, fotocopiato ed in seguito distrutto.
Purtroppo Maigret non potrà mai dimostrare la connivenza dei politici interessati, ma almeno salverà la reputazione del deputato che ha riposto in lui la sua fiducia.
Finale amaro, che più amaro non si può. Mi ha lasciata con la sete di giustizia.
Bello, però, molto.


🌍 LdM - Sfida 2024: Francia 🇫🇷
✍️ GS/Maigret

[Seán Rafferty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Maigret out of his comfort zone. A cynical and most likely realistic take on French politics. 'In a criminal case, there's usually only one culprit or a group of culprits acting in unison. In politics, it's different and the proof is that there are so many parties in the Chamber.'
Maigret usually doesn't judge but in this novel there is no doubt that Simenon is quite prepared to highlight his disdain for politicians. It makes for a fascinating read as Maigret disdainfully and reluctantly dips his toes into French political life. It is also an interesting departure for Maigret and a compelling read. Ok, it's not 'All the President's Men' but it gives an interesting insight into 50's French politics.

[Mikee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better Maigrets - and one of the more unusual. A disaster turns into a political scandal and, as with all things political, the original victims become insignificant. All is a battle for power and influence. Maigret manages to save some of the innocent and uninvolved and to apprehend some of the perpetrators of evil deeds. But, as is always the case, the truly guilty and the truly powerful continue to spin their webs. So it goes.

[Zornitsa Rasim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dramatisation with Denholm Elliott

WL The Man Who Watched Trains Go By
3* Maigret in Society
3* The Blue Room
WL My Friend Maigret (Maigret #31)
3* The Saint-Fiacre Affair
3* Maigret in Montmartre
3* Maigret Has Scruples
3* Maigret Bides His Time
3* Striptease
3* Maigret Sets A Trap
Maigret and the Minister

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From IMDb:
After the collapse of a children's sanatorium kills 62, Maigret unofficially investigates the theft of engineer's report which had correctly predicted the disaster.

A TV series was made based on this book and it's available at YouTube.

[Micaela Bianchini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho appena finito di ascoltare su YouTube "Maigret e il ministro" nella "lettura ad alta voce" di Faustino Stigliani, la cui voce calda e avvolgente riesce a restituire perfettamente la misura e la profondità di questo romanzo, che mi ha accompagnato nel traffico romano, alleviando lo stress.
Le cinque stelle che gli assegno non sono solo per la storia in sé, ma soprattutto per qualcosa che Simenon fa come pochi altri scrittori: creare un mondo umano densissimo con apparente semplicità.
In questo libro non mi ha colpito tanto il meccanismo dell’indagine quanto l’atmosfera che lo attraversa. Simenon riesce a farci entrare nei corridoi del potere, negli uffici, nelle stanze in penombra, nei silenzi tra una battuta e l’altra e lo fa attraverso gesti minimi: un modo di sedersi, una pausa prima di rispondere, uno sguardo che evita il nostro. Anche i personaggi che compaiono per poche pagine sembrano avere una vita intera alle spalle.
È una scrittura che amo molto: frasi che possono essere brevi o lunghe, ma sempre cariche di dettagli essenziali. Non sono mai decorativi; sono quei piccoli elementi che, come in un quadro, danno improvvisamente senso all’insieme. Un gesto della mano, una piega dell’abito, una luce sul viso diventano la chiave per capire un carattere o una tensione nascosta.
Ascoltando questo romanzo ho avuto più volte la sensazione che Simenon non “spieghi” i personaggi: li mette semplicemente davanti a noi, con la loro presenza fisica e psicologica, e li lascia respirare nello spazio della scena. È forse per questo che l’atmosfera dei suoi libri rimane così viva e riconoscibile.
Un Maigret meno spettacolare di altri, forse, ma proprio per questo tra i più raffinati: un romanzo dove l’indagine diventa quasi un pretesto per osservare da vicino gli esseri umani, con le loro paure, ambizioni e fragilità.

[PuPilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Egy Maigret, ami megintcsak más, mint a többi. Mindig ámulok, Simenon hogy tudott egyszerűségében is ilyen sokszínű lenni, és hogy tudott ennyiféle történetet szőni a felügyelő köré, amik ugyan hasonlóan otthonosak, mégis elképesztően különböznek.

Maigret ebben a kötetben a politika és a korrupció hálójába keveredik - persze csak a maga sajátos, kissé távolságtartó módján. Magánemberként megkeresi őt a közmunkaügyi miniszter, ám hamarosan kiderül, nem kerülhető el a nyilvánosság, és az újságcímlapok, az ügy ugyanis a clairfond-i katasztrófát érinti, amelyben egy szanatórium ősszedőlt, és 128 gyereket temetett maga alá. Az ezzel kapcsolatos Calame-jelentésben talán ott rejlik az igazság: vajon tényleg borítékolható volt a katasztrófa, és ezt a szakértők meg is írták? A jelentés előkerül, majd a közmunkaügyi minisztertől azon nyomban el is tűnik, azzal az emberrel egyetemben, akitől megkapta... Nem csak Maigret, hanem mások is a dokumentum nyomába erednek, ami illetéktelen kezekbe kerülve zsarolásra is használható... Sokak pozíciója kerülhet veszélybe, felsőbb körökben, így aztán nem árt az óvatosság... Mi áll a jelentésben, és hová tűnt? Maigret természetesen felgöngyölíti az ügyet, még ha a megoldás nem is lesz teljesen igazságos.

A cselekményen kívül igen változatos az étel- és italfelhozatal is ebben a részben: folyik a házi pálinka, a fehérbor, a Calvados, a Pernod (ánizslikőr), de fogyaszt a felügyelő sört és kökénypálinkát is, na meg konyakot a kávé mellé. Az étkek közül a dieppe-i nyelvhal és a pástétomos szendvics maradt meg az emlékezetemben (és a jegyzeteimben ;) )

Bővebben itt: https://pupillaolvas.blogspot.com/202...

[4cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maigret is reluctant to get involved in a political scandal but he finds himself liking the minister who could end up being the scapegoat of the whole affair.

[Richard Hannay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una cosa rara. Un Maigret que no me ha gustado mucho. Ni Maigret ni, creo, Simenon están cómodos en el cenagoso mundo político y se nota.

[Tiarnán · Rating 3 out of 5]

100 books 😎

[Margarida · Rating 2 out of 5]

Já tinha lido um livro com o comissário Maigret, em Francês e há alguns anos e tinha gostado. Este não criou empatia comigo... Um mistério que no fundo não passa de intriga política, que não me agradou.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging crime fiction novel involving detective Maigret investigating the disappearance of the Calame Report and Piquemal, the man who had found a copy of the report. Maigret is summoned to a secret evening meeting with Augusta Point, a government minister. Maigret discovers a political world of corruption, manipulation, scandal and cover up.

The Clairfond sanatorium had been built, notwithstanding that professor Calame had written a report criticising it’s construction design. Unfortunately heavy snows thawed and a minor river became a torrent, undermining the foundations of an entire wing of Clairfond. The building collapsed killing 128 children. The Calame report had gone missing, however a government employee was able to find a copy at the residence of Calame’s widow. This copy was given to the Minister, but was stolen shortly afterwards. Newspapers on the following days reported that the Calame Report had been found but has gone missing. The minister, August Point was implicated in the cover up.

This book was first published in 1955. The 46th novel in the Maigret series.

[John Frankham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super Maigret from 1954. As well as the usual strength of characters, time, and place, Simenon casts a serious light on the corruption in politics in France at the time, and the difficulty of the honest politician to carry on his mission. First-rate.

The GR blurb:

'When a public tragedy threatens to expose a scandal within the Paris government, the Minister of Public Works calls in a favour to Maigret. The forty-sixth book in the Maigret series.

A public project has collapsed and resulted in the death of 128 children after a report warning officials about the unsafe structure was disregarded. Now, that report has resurfaced, along with allegations that several politicians and contractors involved with the project may have suppressed its findings to avoid a scandal.

Maigret must enter the shifty world of politics, dodged by members of the security police wherever he goes. In an unfamiliar world of decadent diplomatic officials, fanatic followers of political parties, and suspicious staff in politicians’ entourages, Maigret grimly sticks to what he knows best: finding the perpetrators of criminal acts.'

[Петър Стойков · Rating 2 out of 5]

Политическата интрига се удава доста по-малко на Сименон, отколкото криминалната, още повече, че в книгата липсва задължителното убийство. Завръзката е неясна и всичко се "изяснява" чак в края в един монолог на инспектора - доста евтин и мързелив писателски номер.

[Steve Shilstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Maigret is like spending a beautiful afternoon in a hammock by a lovely flowing stream.

[Sandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stelle, come per tutti gli altri libri di Simenon con protagonista Maigret!

[Robert Bastone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tidy detective novel. Politics has been and always will be corrupt. Don’t shake dirty hands.

Reading my way through Europe via the many great mystery writers. Thank you AC and Montalbano for the recommendation. Can see Superintendent Maigret coming into the rotation with Inspector Beck and Salvo. What a trio of men.

[Arianna Farina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maigret si trova in questa storia a fronteggiare un caso legato alla politica e al governo. Mi è certamente mancato l’omicidio, preferisco la versione più noir, ma devo dire che Simenon non annoia mai. Efficace e minimale come lui sa fare.

[Alessandro Farini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amo tantissimo Simenon, e mi è piaciuta anche questa avventura di Maigret, in fondo assai contemporanea dato che si occupa di corruzione e politica. Siamo nella quarta repubblica francese, ma potremmo essere in qualunque epoca politica. Bello.

[John Mccullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

A natural disaster strikes a new facility and over 100 children die. After recovering politically from the disaster, memories are reignited concerning a report written by Professor Calame before construction of the facility warning of this precise disaster. Despite his warnings, the facility is built. Political heads would roll if the report ever resurfaced. Most copies disappear, then one resurfaces. It is hand-delivered to one of the French ministers, but then that copy is stolen from the minister’s private apartment. Word of this mishandling of the report would ruin the minister, so he surreptitiously calls Jules Maigret begging the utmost secrecy for the investigation. And so, in deep secrecy, Maigret investigates.

A classic Maigret mystery, a full 5-pipe adventure!

B: 29 Jul 2018
F: 31 Jul 2018

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memorable characters in this Maigret - and a rather sad ending. Also lots of political ins and outs to follow so if you don't enjoy that, skip this one. But I found it fascinating.

[Padmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno tra i migliori Maigret