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Frantic
Julien Courtois finds himself in a bit of financial bind. And the only way out is murder. He’s even got the perfect plan. While his secretary believes him to be in his office, he climbs up a rope to an upper floor and stages his victim’s “suicide.” It all works according to plan. But on his way out of the building, he remembers that the rope is still dangling out of the window, leading right down to his office! Rushing back into the building, Julien manages to get stuck in the elevator when the janitor turns off the power for the weekend.At the same time, a young couple steal Julien’s car from in front of the building, and his wife, thinking she’s watching Julien drive off with another woman, assumes the worst. And so begins a torturous set of circumstances. While Julien remains trapped in the elevator, his life gradually becomes unraveled by a vindictive wife and a couple of teenagers playing at being gangsters.Filmed in 1961 by Louis Malle as Elevator to the Gallows, this classic French novel is a masterpiece of noir tension.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1956
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 24, 2020
Frantic is a French Noir that later became a well-received noir film, best known for a Miles Davis solo. It's about a perfectly planned murder down to the last tiny detail. But, with a comedic touch that would make Don Westlake proud, the perfect murder turns into a nightmare of coincidences and locked doors till the perpetrator ends up in a prison of his own making from which there is no escape. The symbolism of being locked in the elevator without power waiting to be discovered in the morning at the same time as the corpse can't be dismissed. It is a powerful image full of agony, despair, frustration.
January 8, 2020
Gli amanti sono sempre vili
La vicenda si sviluppa nel breve arco di un fine settimana; è il racconto di un omicidio pianificato con cura, fin nei minimi dettagli: niente testimoni oculari, assenza di impronte o elementi che possano collegare l'assassino alla vittima. Sembrerebbe l'omicidio perfetto, ma l’imprevisto, il caso, il destino, il fato (chiamatelo come vi pare) ci mette lo zampino; così ogni certezza è spazzata via e a prendere il sopravvento sono ansia, insicurezza, smarrimento, solitudine, angoscia, disperazione.
”Se ora non sentissi la tua voce avrei paura anche del mio silenzio”.
Ascensore per il patibolo (titolo tutt’altro che metaforico) è un gran bel noir, che gli amanti del genere (ma non solo loro) non dovrebbero farsi sfuggire.
Da questo romanzo Louis Malle ha tratto l’omonimo film (1958) con Maurice Ronet e una splendida e intensa Jeanne Moreau. Colonna sonora di Miles Davis.
https://youtu.be/icJw9HXXoXA
La vicenda si sviluppa nel breve arco di un fine settimana; è il racconto di un omicidio pianificato con cura, fin nei minimi dettagli: niente testimoni oculari, assenza di impronte o elementi che possano collegare l'assassino alla vittima. Sembrerebbe l'omicidio perfetto, ma l’imprevisto, il caso, il destino, il fato (chiamatelo come vi pare) ci mette lo zampino; così ogni certezza è spazzata via e a prendere il sopravvento sono ansia, insicurezza, smarrimento, solitudine, angoscia, disperazione.
”Se ora non sentissi la tua voce avrei paura anche del mio silenzio”.
Ascensore per il patibolo (titolo tutt’altro che metaforico) è un gran bel noir, che gli amanti del genere (ma non solo loro) non dovrebbero farsi sfuggire.
Da questo romanzo Louis Malle ha tratto l’omonimo film (1958) con Maurice Ronet e una splendida e intensa Jeanne Moreau. Colonna sonora di Miles Davis.
https://youtu.be/icJw9HXXoXA
December 18, 2024
From 1956
Julien is returning to his office to clean up evidence of a recent murder he did when he gets stuck in the elevator overnight. The suspense here is terrific, but unfortunately more time is spent on his wife and on the young couple who steals his car.
Julien is returning to his office to clean up evidence of a recent murder he did when he gets stuck in the elevator overnight. The suspense here is terrific, but unfortunately more time is spent on his wife and on the young couple who steals his car.
May 31, 2017
I heard once such an anecdote:some man ordered in the library newly issued best-selling whodunnit.After several days,when at last could borrow it he returns home,eagerly opens and on the very first page sees written in pencil: X was killed by Y.
No,I won’t do that to you,I won’t tell you who killed whom,neither how nor why.Although if you decide to read "Ascenseur pour l'échafaud" you will find out it from first pages.Our hero is a womanizer,charmer up to his ears in debts.So he’s planning a crime,he’s scared but murder somehow seems to him the only way out of a predicament,from tangled web of lies.The die is cast.It’s Saturday evening,people are thinking only about going out of town,the office is almost emptied and soon will be closed.Our hero committed a crime,everything went like clockwork.No witnesses,no traces.The perfect crime.Dammit,the papers,left on the desk.So he returns unnoticed,goes up in the lift and suddenly … the power switched off.Trapped in the elevator till Monday morning.
But if you think it’s his only worry you’re wrong.His main problem is not to hide he was in the office but just the opposite.Because in the meantime something much worse happened it’s a matter of life or death to prove that he was in that damn lift.
"Ascenseur pour l'échafaud" is a truly noir crime book,perverse and scathing,although better known for its excellent film adaptation by Louis Malle .At the micro level it is another detective novel with elaborate plan for crime ,but on a macro scale it’s a story about inevitability of fate.
August 27, 2018
When one door closes, another opens. For Julien Courtois, it was the other way around. Understandably distracted after just killing a man, he forgets the door to his car open while he quickly sneaks back into his office building, to recover some incriminating documents. It's Saturday evening, and on his way out, the doorman cuts the power to the place, leaving Julien trapped in the elevator with the body of his victim cooling on one of the floors above. The door becomes a leitmotif in Julien's now tormented life, and the arrival of Monday morning brings more than his long awaited release.
It is a good novel of suspense, more than a bit sexist, in the good old noir fashion, with each chapter ending with a cliffhanger and no characters to like, except maybe the poor murderous protagonist.
It is a good novel of suspense, more than a bit sexist, in the good old noir fashion, with each chapter ending with a cliffhanger and no characters to like, except maybe the poor murderous protagonist.
April 16, 2018
Great Parisian noir. Written in 1956. Made into a film by Louis Malle in 1958 with a fantastic score by Miles Davis. Whether the book brings you to the movie and soundtrack album or the movie to the book and soundtrack or the soundtrack to the movie and book. All three are great. Not many books can you say that about.
November 9, 2019
A really good French noir (though, still one of those rare cases where the movie, Louis Malle's 'Elevator to the Gallows,' is better than the book).
November 3, 2020
Vai de mine, cum poți strica bunătate de intrigă polițistă căzînd în supermelodramă! Noroc c-a fost scurt romanul ăsta, că altfel mă indignam și mai tare :D
September 13, 2023
Despite it being an inaccurate translation, the title is a very appropriate description of a book about a man trapped in an elevator, when was trying to cover up a murder, while outside his whole world is falling apart, and events are set in motion to blame him for another murder which he did not commit.
This is the most savage of noirs, populated by a despicable set of characters who care only for themselves and whose blatant disregard for anything or anyone else will lead to their downfall.
Julien Courtois is a man pushed to the financial brink, living well outside his means and has long since exhausted the generosity of his friends and family. His most immediately problem however is that he has borrowed a huge sum from a moneylender, and the repayment is overdue. With no prospect of making the payment, he hatches a plan, that if it were to work, would erase the debt and let him start again - to murder the moneylender.
There's plenty to enjoy in this inverted mystery, and not a chance that you will feel the slightest bit of remorse for Courtois, who is the most slimy of toads.
If there's a problem, its that the passages involving Courtois are so compelling that rest of the book can't quite match up.
Frantic was originally published in France in 1958 as Ascenseur pour l'échafaud and filmed that same year by Louis Malle. Three years later, in 1961, both the book and the movie were released in the United States under the new title, with the book being released by the king of paperback crime publishers, Fawcett's Gold Medal Books. The movie is better known under the more accurate translation of Elevator to the Gallows or Lift to the Scaffold and is a recognised film noir masterpiece.
This is the most savage of noirs, populated by a despicable set of characters who care only for themselves and whose blatant disregard for anything or anyone else will lead to their downfall.
Julien Courtois is a man pushed to the financial brink, living well outside his means and has long since exhausted the generosity of his friends and family. His most immediately problem however is that he has borrowed a huge sum from a moneylender, and the repayment is overdue. With no prospect of making the payment, he hatches a plan, that if it were to work, would erase the debt and let him start again - to murder the moneylender.
There's plenty to enjoy in this inverted mystery, and not a chance that you will feel the slightest bit of remorse for Courtois, who is the most slimy of toads.
If there's a problem, its that the passages involving Courtois are so compelling that rest of the book can't quite match up.
Frantic was originally published in France in 1958 as Ascenseur pour l'échafaud and filmed that same year by Louis Malle. Three years later, in 1961, both the book and the movie were released in the United States under the new title, with the book being released by the king of paperback crime publishers, Fawcett's Gold Medal Books. The movie is better known under the more accurate translation of Elevator to the Gallows or Lift to the Scaffold and is a recognised film noir masterpiece.
January 22, 2023
Если есть на этом свете невезение.
Это хороший детектив. Он держит. И когда ты видишь все эти случайности, как кто-то где-то вдруг отвернулся в сторону, как кто-то где-то просто не добежал пары шагов, не там лег спать, ты понимаешь, как над тобой может посмеяться жизнь и, видимо, сурово накрыть кармой.
Мне, кажется, у Жюльена, была еще одна маленькая приоткрытая дверца. Эта пачка сигарет упавшая в шахту лифта, но что не говори, все вокруг него вело его действительно на эшафот. Но надо сказать, что человек-то он был не самый приятный, так что за него и не особо переживаешь, но все же такое количество случайностей вызывает к нему некое сочувствие, ведь лучше бы было чтобы его поймали за его грехи, а не за грехи других людей.
И есть еще кое-что, порой читая аннотацию к книге ты не понимаешь за что так с тобой люди, они же расписывают тебе краткое содержание и все повороты уже не становятся открытиями и это ужасно, потому что каждый поворот должен приводить в трепет. А тут вас ждет это и это и вообще герой попал. Это самое ужасное, что можно сделать для читателя, особенно детектива. Так что не читайте аннотаций и рецензий, читайте книгу!:)
Это хороший детектив. Он держит. И когда ты видишь все эти случайности, как кто-то где-то вдруг отвернулся в сторону, как кто-то где-то просто не добежал пары шагов, не там лег спать, ты понимаешь, как над тобой может посмеяться жизнь и, видимо, сурово накрыть кармой.
Мне, кажется, у Жюльена, была еще одна маленькая приоткрытая дверца. Эта пачка сигарет упавшая в шахту лифта, но что не говори, все вокруг него вело его действительно на эшафот. Но надо сказать, что человек-то он был не самый приятный, так что за него и не особо переживаешь, но все же такое количество случайностей вызывает к нему некое сочувствие, ведь лучше бы было чтобы его поймали за его грехи, а не за грехи других людей.
И есть еще кое-что, порой читая аннотацию к книге ты не понимаешь за что так с тобой люди, они же расписывают тебе краткое содержание и все повороты уже не становятся открытиями и это ужасно, потому что каждый поворот должен приводить в трепет. А тут вас ждет это и это и вообще герой попал. Это самое ужасное, что можно сделать для читателя, особенно детектива. Так что не читайте аннотаций и рецензий, читайте книгу!:)
September 8, 2024
A classic noir tale of inevitable fate that Louis Malle memorably filmed with a sublime Miles Davis soundtrack. I look forward to re-watching the film having read the source novel. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only work translated by Noël Calef despite another great film Tiger Bay being based on one of his works.
Stark Press biog:
"Noël Calef was born Nissim Calef in Bulgaria on September 29, 1907. He moved to France in the 1930s, and during the Second World War II, was arrested by the French police, interned and starved in Drancy camp before being deported to Italy. Returning to France, where he took the author name "Noël Calef,"? he published some twenty novels and short stories, including six detective novels. Calef is most famous for inspiring the film Elevator to the Gallows by Louis Malle, adapted from his novel Ascenseur pour l'échafaud and published in the U.S as Frantic. He continued to work in the film industry, and even made an appearance in Joseph Losey's A Man to Destroy. Calef died on May 10, 1968 in France."
Stark Press biog:
"Noël Calef was born Nissim Calef in Bulgaria on September 29, 1907. He moved to France in the 1930s, and during the Second World War II, was arrested by the French police, interned and starved in Drancy camp before being deported to Italy. Returning to France, where he took the author name "Noël Calef,"? he published some twenty novels and short stories, including six detective novels. Calef is most famous for inspiring the film Elevator to the Gallows by Louis Malle, adapted from his novel Ascenseur pour l'échafaud and published in the U.S as Frantic. He continued to work in the film industry, and even made an appearance in Joseph Losey's A Man to Destroy. Calef died on May 10, 1968 in France."
December 20, 2020
This is a nice, old-fashioned thriller. I won't call it a mystery book as it isn't about solving a murder and finding a murderer. From today's point of view naive and all characters are pretty one-dimensional. The way Julien was tied to the murder of tourists was very unbelievable: there had to be Fred's fingertips all over the place in the hotel but none of Julien!
And what happened to Fred anyway? Did he die with Theresa? He wasn't even mentioned afterwards. If he woke up quickly and managed to escape, is it possible that his rich dad got him off and police was eager to hang the crime on Julien. I have so many questions!
And what happened to Fred anyway? Did he die with Theresa? He wasn't even mentioned afterwards. If he woke up quickly and managed to escape, is it possible that his rich dad got him off and police was eager to hang the crime on Julien. I have so many questions!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2022
Juste après avoir commis le crime parfait, Julien se ravise, il a oublié des papiers potentiellement compromettants dans son bureau. Il laisse sa voiture sur le trottoir, prend l’ascenseur et… Albert, le concierge coupe le courant de l’immeuble en le laissant prisonnier entre deux étages.
Et là… Tout s’enchaîne dans une sorte de retour de manivelle karmique à la Murphy.
Un petit polar de gare rudement bien foutu, magnifiquement adapté au cinéma par Louis Malle avec Jeanne Moreau et Maurice Ronet sur une musique sublime de Miles Davis
https://www.noid.ch/ascenseur-pour-le...
Et là… Tout s’enchaîne dans une sorte de retour de manivelle karmique à la Murphy.
Un petit polar de gare rudement bien foutu, magnifiquement adapté au cinéma par Louis Malle avec Jeanne Moreau et Maurice Ronet sur une musique sublime de Miles Davis
https://www.noid.ch/ascenseur-pour-le...
January 3, 2024
Sono costantemente attratta dalla narrativa di quel genere che potremmo chiamare giallo/nero/crimine: sono convinta che sia piuttosto interessante andare a guardare nel nero dell'animo umano.
Eppure, molto spesso sono delusa e irritata da ciò che leggo. Quante buone idee sprecate in scrittura sciatta, personaggi improbabili, situazioni forzate, dialoghi aggriccianti. Peccato!
Che dire, continuerò nella mia ricerca del "crimine perfetto", o quantomeno di quello dignitoso.
Eppure, molto spesso sono delusa e irritata da ciò che leggo. Quante buone idee sprecate in scrittura sciatta, personaggi improbabili, situazioni forzate, dialoghi aggriccianti. Peccato!
Che dire, continuerò nella mia ricerca del "crimine perfetto", o quantomeno di quello dignitoso.
January 25, 2024
Re-read sprzed wielu, wielu lat. Chciałam zobaczyć, czy książka jest tak dobra, jak ją pamiętam. Pod wieloma względami jest - zwroty akcji są nie do przewidzenia. Jednocześnie językowo wypada słabo. Książkę się czyta jam streszczenie treści jakieś większej, bardziej wciągającej powieści.
Polski tytuł to 'Windą na szafot', ale na Goodreads nie ma polskiego wydania 🙂.
Polski tytuł to 'Windą na szafot', ale na Goodreads nie ma polskiego wydania 🙂.
May 28, 2025
Insecure, insipid, cowardly, arrogant, petty... I think the word 'despicable' just about sums up how humanity is portrayed in this slim, dark gem of a Parisian noir novel. Looking for fast grabs, cheap shots, and intoxicated by their own base self-interests, these characters remain abjectly ignorant of the - oftentimes grave - consequences of their actions.
This is noir. What's it about? Destiny, Fate... FUTILITY, or course. It's about what it has all ALWAYS been about - The inevitability of our not-so-slowly encroaching DEATH. It's showcasing the short and self-centered aspects of our lives. The banal (dare I say 'evil') parts that make up most of it and all the difference in the world...
This is noir. What's it about? Destiny, Fate... FUTILITY, or course. It's about what it has all ALWAYS been about - The inevitability of our not-so-slowly encroaching DEATH. It's showcasing the short and self-centered aspects of our lives. The banal (dare I say 'evil') parts that make up most of it and all the difference in the world...
September 16, 2025
Super niche mais l'écriture m'a rappelé un livre de vannes sur les couples très très beauf qui est chez ma mamie, donc j'ai eu du mal a prendre le livre au sérieux.
sinon la morale sur la critique de la fénéantise pas mal mais il a pousé le truc un peu loin (tsais la meuf qu'a pas tout compris)
bref j'ai bien hâte de voir le film désormais
sinon la morale sur la critique de la fénéantise pas mal mais il a pousé le truc un peu loin (tsais la meuf qu'a pas tout compris)
bref j'ai bien hâte de voir le film désormais
September 20, 2018
Ebook Univers Enigma 1969
Ascensor spre esafod
Ascensor spre esafod
September 15, 2021
A perfect book to have on hand in case you’re ever stuck in an elevator.
Want to read
August 27, 2022Elevator to the Gallows (1956)
April 1, 2022
This is a French crime noir novel from 1956. A man commits what he believes is the perfect crime but then gets trapped in an elevator.
After an exciting beginning things slow down a little as various groups of people are introduced. Then the story picks up as events begin to unfold and start coming together. The chapters are short and move from character to character. The story is moody and things go from dark to darker. I thought the ending was very well done.
The book was adapted into a 1961 French crime film using the book’s original title Elevator to the Gallows.
After an exciting beginning things slow down a little as various groups of people are introduced. Then the story picks up as events begin to unfold and start coming together. The chapters are short and move from character to character. The story is moody and things go from dark to darker. I thought the ending was very well done.
The book was adapted into a 1961 French crime film using the book’s original title Elevator to the Gallows.
December 9, 2018
Good Pulpnoir
I enjoyed this book. A classic gold medal noir actually written by a Frenchman. I had never heard of this book but it is being reprinted by Stark House Press so I thought I’d try it. Great existential noir of a man implicated in crimes he may or may not have committed. Can’t say much about the book without spoiling it. It’s a fast paced , well written book with a great ending. Recommended.
I enjoyed this book. A classic gold medal noir actually written by a Frenchman. I had never heard of this book but it is being reprinted by Stark House Press so I thought I’d try it. Great existential noir of a man implicated in crimes he may or may not have committed. Can’t say much about the book without spoiling it. It’s a fast paced , well written book with a great ending. Recommended.
July 28, 2015
Я готова принять минимум того, что мне могут дать другие. Ты же априори требуешь от людей максимума!
***
Он взял в рот кусок побольше, чтобы дать себе время подумать. Он не мог ударить в грязь лицом перед единственным существом, воспринимающим его всерьез.
***
Он взял в рот кусок побольше, чтобы дать себе время подумать. Он не мог ударить в грязь лицом перед единственным существом, воспринимающим его всерьез.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2016
Un classique du roman noir qui a inspiré un grand film. Le lecteur est sur le bout de ses doigts du début jusqu'à la fin. Je ne suis pas un grand amateur de roman policier, mais celui-ci figure au sommet de ma liste.
June 14, 2019
Better than some Noir books that I have been reading lately.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews