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Inspector Maigret #69
Maigret's Childhood Friend
Florentin pulled one of those faces which had once amused his classmates so much and disarmed the teachers.
Maigret didn't dare to ask why he had come to see him. He studied him, struggling to believe that so many years had passed.
He was so used to acting the fool that his face automatically assumed comical expressions. But his face was still greyish, his eyes anxious.
A visit from a long-lost schoolmate who has fallen on hard times forces Maigret to unpick a seedy tangle of love affairs in Montmartre, and to confront the tragedy of a wasted life.
This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret's Boyhood Friend.
Maigret didn't dare to ask why he had come to see him. He studied him, struggling to believe that so many years had passed.
He was so used to acting the fool that his face automatically assumed comical expressions. But his face was still greyish, his eyes anxious.
A visit from a long-lost schoolmate who has fallen on hard times forces Maigret to unpick a seedy tangle of love affairs in Montmartre, and to confront the tragedy of a wasted life.
This novel has been published in a previous translation as Maigret's Boyhood Friend.
Audio CD
First published June 1, 1968
60 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Georges Simenon
2,733 books2,288 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 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 7, 2024
Lunchtime Listen June/July 2024
I think, given I must be about 80% through all 75 of the Margaret novels, that George Simenon never wrote a bad one. I find myself getting a bit repetitive in saying , this was a wonderfully atmospheric novel, the epitome of French Parisian life, and brilliantly read by Gareth Armstrong, but the simple fact is, that it was.
It was a really interesting storyline, different as ever to all the others in which Margaret is forced to renew an acquaintance with an old school friend that he didn’t particularly like. Is his old friend a murderer or just stupid, his continual lies really do not help. Investigating his lover’s modern, Maigret must decide if his lies include not murdering her or is he telling the truth on that point. Did he really hide in the wardrobe and hear the murdrerer.
As Maigret delves deep into the life of the murdered woman, he discovers there are more people who also may want her dead, especially given the unusual life she led. Aided by his able Inspectors , but stymied at every point by his old school friend and a truly unhelpful concierge at the apartments where the murdered woman lived, Maigret uses all his guile to trap the murderer and break the silence about the death.
I think, given I must be about 80% through all 75 of the Margaret novels, that George Simenon never wrote a bad one. I find myself getting a bit repetitive in saying , this was a wonderfully atmospheric novel, the epitome of French Parisian life, and brilliantly read by Gareth Armstrong, but the simple fact is, that it was.
It was a really interesting storyline, different as ever to all the others in which Margaret is forced to renew an acquaintance with an old school friend that he didn’t particularly like. Is his old friend a murderer or just stupid, his continual lies really do not help. Investigating his lover’s modern, Maigret must decide if his lies include not murdering her or is he telling the truth on that point. Did he really hide in the wardrobe and hear the murdrerer.
As Maigret delves deep into the life of the murdered woman, he discovers there are more people who also may want her dead, especially given the unusual life she led. Aided by his able Inspectors , but stymied at every point by his old school friend and a truly unhelpful concierge at the apartments where the murdered woman lived, Maigret uses all his guile to trap the murderer and break the silence about the death.
February 29, 2024
It is perhaps the 20th novel involving Maigret I've read. There are NO poor ones, and some are quite magnificent.
This one has some very well depicted characters, a touch of humor and that peculiar type of human kindness specific to the French Inspector.
This one has some very well depicted characters, a touch of humor and that peculiar type of human kindness specific to the French Inspector.
March 11, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Georges Simenon was a prolific writer with hundreds of published works comprising novels, short stories, articles and a great deal of “pulp” fiction, much of which was published in low priced magazines. It is said that he regularly produced 60-80 pages per day. Maigret was his most successful character with 75 novels and 28 short stories published between 1930 and 1972.
Maigret’s Childhood Friend was published in 1968 by which time Simenon was well settled into the character so there is no surprise that the book is easy to read. Indeed, it is short enough and compelling enough to read in a single day.
An earlier translation of this book was published as Maigret’s Boyhood Friend but my O-level French suggests that the new English title is more accurate. My paperback copy bears an image of Maigret viewed through a café window, clearly contemplating a problem.
Although I cannot comment on the technicality of the translation of the book, Shaun Whiteside has perfectly captured the well-known images of Maigret and the atmosphere of mid-century Paris is so strong that I swear I could smell stale smoke from Disc Bleu or Gitanes on every page. Incidentally, Simenon was not raised in Paris and was not even born in France but his training as a Parisian newspaper reporter taught him the activity of every backstreet of that city.
As one would expect the story revolves around a mysterious murder and a selection of colourful suspects. During his investigation Maigret gets to visit a variety of businesses, bars and bistros, generally in the seedier parts of Paris. The investigation stalls somewhat until a flash of inspiration enables him to solve the case.
Although the case was intriguing the denouement left me a little flat. I had not been able to solve it myself but when Maigret revealed the truth I was not blown away.
But why should a couple of dull pages spoil the great fun that I gained from the preceding 174. I found the whole package all so entertaining and all so comforting that I have to award it four stars.
Georges Simenon was a prolific writer with hundreds of published works comprising novels, short stories, articles and a great deal of “pulp” fiction, much of which was published in low priced magazines. It is said that he regularly produced 60-80 pages per day. Maigret was his most successful character with 75 novels and 28 short stories published between 1930 and 1972.
Maigret’s Childhood Friend was published in 1968 by which time Simenon was well settled into the character so there is no surprise that the book is easy to read. Indeed, it is short enough and compelling enough to read in a single day.
An earlier translation of this book was published as Maigret’s Boyhood Friend but my O-level French suggests that the new English title is more accurate. My paperback copy bears an image of Maigret viewed through a café window, clearly contemplating a problem.
Although I cannot comment on the technicality of the translation of the book, Shaun Whiteside has perfectly captured the well-known images of Maigret and the atmosphere of mid-century Paris is so strong that I swear I could smell stale smoke from Disc Bleu or Gitanes on every page. Incidentally, Simenon was not raised in Paris and was not even born in France but his training as a Parisian newspaper reporter taught him the activity of every backstreet of that city.
As one would expect the story revolves around a mysterious murder and a selection of colourful suspects. During his investigation Maigret gets to visit a variety of businesses, bars and bistros, generally in the seedier parts of Paris. The investigation stalls somewhat until a flash of inspiration enables him to solve the case.
Although the case was intriguing the denouement left me a little flat. I had not been able to solve it myself but when Maigret revealed the truth I was not blown away.
But why should a couple of dull pages spoil the great fun that I gained from the preceding 174. I found the whole package all so entertaining and all so comforting that I have to award it four stars.
November 3, 2024
میتونم بگم جالب بود!
اون بازی مغزی که نویسنده برای انتخاب متهم توی طول مسیر داستان
برای من خواننده درست کرده بود جالب بود حقیقتا.
.
از چندتا کتابی که از این مجموعهی مگره (که البته نمیدونم مجموعه است یا چی!)
بود که خوندم.
درسته عاشقش نشدم ولی سرگرمی جالبیه در حین خوندن یه کتاب
سنگین این کتابهای مگره رو هم بخونم.
اون بازی مغزی که نویسنده برای انتخاب متهم توی طول مسیر داستان
برای من خواننده درست کرده بود جالب بود حقیقتا.
.
از چندتا کتابی که از این مجموعهی مگره (که البته نمیدونم مجموعه است یا چی!)
بود که خوندم.
درسته عاشقش نشدم ولی سرگرمی جالبیه در حین خوندن یه کتاب
سنگین این کتابهای مگره رو هم بخونم.
September 7, 2022
Another fun installment in this series. Maigret is so cerebral! The crime is presented to him by a schoolmate who he hasn't seen for at least 20 years. Florentin was the class clown, but Maigret didn't like him much in school and nothing has happened since then to endear him. But Simenon makes us "see" Florentin, and this is one of Simenon's strengths. And Florentin pulled one of those faces which had once amused his classmates so much and disarmed the teachers. It was as if his long countenance with its well-formed features was made of rubber, the way he managed to twist it in all directions.
Maigret feels there is just something all wrong with the way the crime has been presented to him. Of course he works it out! Very satisfying. I tend to rate all of these 3-stars, but I think this one just hops over the line into 4-stars.
Maigret feels there is just something all wrong with the way the crime has been presented to him. Of course he works it out! Very satisfying. I tend to rate all of these 3-stars, but I think this one just hops over the line into 4-stars.
July 12, 2019
My monthly fix of Maigret.
Similar to a recent case; this time Maigret delays arresting his Childhood Friend, Florentin because although the circumstances point to his guilt there is no telling evidence.
The seasoned policeman is also struggling because of his loose connection with the suspect and that he is a pathological liar. A school boy clown, weak, never able to make a success of his life he has become something of a pathetic character.
He was the live-in ‘lover’ of the murdered victim. He was a kept man, but she was more of a character and had a series of lovers who gave her money for a relationship and sexual favours.
He claims a man called on Josée; he hid in the wardrobe and heard a gun shot. When he ventured out he found her dead. He panicked, interfered with the crime scene and when coming to his senses sought out his childhood friend and through himself on Maigret’s mercy.
Looking at the case after the fact; presented with lies, half-truths and deliberate silence Maigret has to interview all the dead woman’s “lovers” for one of them must have killed her.
Great story as Maigret is conflicted by his association with the prime suspect who he knows is being less than truthful. Yet in his heart he knows he did not kill her. He may be guilty of many things but he doubts he is a killer.
The case gets under his skin and much of the deduction goes round in his head with the probably truth always seemingly out of reach.
Instructive and wonderful insights into the relationship he has with his wife. Not without humour.
I loved one Sunday escape into the country which did little to clarify his thinking.
The Maigret series; the benchmark for police procedurals and that ace detective. So much pleasure reading each and everyone, like time spent with family and friends.
Similar to a recent case; this time Maigret delays arresting his Childhood Friend, Florentin because although the circumstances point to his guilt there is no telling evidence.
The seasoned policeman is also struggling because of his loose connection with the suspect and that he is a pathological liar. A school boy clown, weak, never able to make a success of his life he has become something of a pathetic character.
He was the live-in ‘lover’ of the murdered victim. He was a kept man, but she was more of a character and had a series of lovers who gave her money for a relationship and sexual favours.
He claims a man called on Josée; he hid in the wardrobe and heard a gun shot. When he ventured out he found her dead. He panicked, interfered with the crime scene and when coming to his senses sought out his childhood friend and through himself on Maigret’s mercy.
Looking at the case after the fact; presented with lies, half-truths and deliberate silence Maigret has to interview all the dead woman’s “lovers” for one of them must have killed her.
Great story as Maigret is conflicted by his association with the prime suspect who he knows is being less than truthful. Yet in his heart he knows he did not kill her. He may be guilty of many things but he doubts he is a killer.
The case gets under his skin and much of the deduction goes round in his head with the probably truth always seemingly out of reach.
Instructive and wonderful insights into the relationship he has with his wife. Not without humour.
I loved one Sunday escape into the country which did little to clarify his thinking.
The Maigret series; the benchmark for police procedurals and that ace detective. So much pleasure reading each and everyone, like time spent with family and friends.
Read
March 13, 2022Trong lúc hết Agatha đọc thì đọc ông này cũng được. Na ná giống nhau ở chỗ đều là kiểu trinh thám suy luận, không cố nhấn mạnh tội ác mà chỉ thuần suy luận. Văn phong viết cũng dễ chịu, khôgn dài dòng, không lên gân và có tình người. Anw mới đọc 1 cuốn thì thấy chỉ ngang những cuốn xoàng của Agatha. Nhân vật chính thì không được đặc sắc. Hoho mà ông tác giả thì là người Bỉ giống Poiroit =)) K biết có cuốn nào khá hơn không.
December 10, 2012
Ancora una bella avventura del commissario Maigret, che forse mi ha appassionato più delle altre lette ultimamente. Ogni volta che lo leggo mi meraviglio sempre di come Simenon riesca a portare alla luce il carattere dei personaggi che abitano le sue storie senza parlarne, con poche parole, sguardi, gesti o, come accade in questo romanzo, solo con i ricordi di infanzia del commissario. Dire che Florentin sia stato un “amico” d’infanzia di Maigret è una parola grossa, è stato un compagno di scuola, era il buffone della classe, con una faccia piena di smorfie, che si burlava dei compagni con scherzi stupidi, girava sempre pieno di soldi perché era il figlio del pasticcere del paese, uno spaccone bugiardello. Ecco, bastano questi pochi ricordi di Maigret, emersi dal passato come Florentin, per farci inquadrare bene il personaggio, che crescendo, come tutti, ha peggiorato i suoi difetti ed ha deciso di risolvere i suoi problemi economici grazie a una donna, Josee, in superficie dolce e rispettabile signorina, che si fa mantenere da quattro amanti che ignorano l’uno l’esistenza dell’altro. Josee viene uccisa nel suo appartamento, nella sua camera da letto, da un colpo di pistola, mentre Florentin era in casa sua, nascosto –lui dice- nel guardaroba. E’ lui il principale sospettato.
Mi sono appassionata a scoprire il colpevole insieme con Maigret, ho brancolato nel buio con lui fino a un certo punto, poi, quasi alla fine, ero convinta di aver capito chi fosse l’assassino, mi sembrava che anche il commissario fosse della mia idea, ed invece… con un guizzo di intelligenza il caro commissario mi ha fregato!
Mi sono appassionata a scoprire il colpevole insieme con Maigret, ho brancolato nel buio con lui fino a un certo punto, poi, quasi alla fine, ero convinta di aver capito chi fosse l’assassino, mi sembrava che anche il commissario fosse della mia idea, ed invece… con un guizzo di intelligenza il caro commissario mi ha fregato!
July 16, 2022
Maigret doesn't seem to have a lot of luck with the people with whom he went to school. In one story one is murdered and in this story, the class joker tells Maigret, he was hiding in a wardrobe, when his mistress is shot.
The plot resembles a murderous farce - the victim has a number of lovers, with assigned visiting days - Maigret has to track them down and then work out what has happened, which seems to be at odds with his friend's original story. Along the way, he's hampered by his school friend's inability to tell the truth, awkward suspects and the monstrous fly in the ointment that it is the concierge at the murdered woman's apartment block.
Maigret manages it, as ever, fueled by good home cooking, remarkable amounts of alcohol and exasperated humour.
Gareth Armstrong brings the cast of characters to life beautifully - his concierge is great fun.
The plot resembles a murderous farce - the victim has a number of lovers, with assigned visiting days - Maigret has to track them down and then work out what has happened, which seems to be at odds with his friend's original story. Along the way, he's hampered by his school friend's inability to tell the truth, awkward suspects and the monstrous fly in the ointment that it is the concierge at the murdered woman's apartment block.
Maigret manages it, as ever, fueled by good home cooking, remarkable amounts of alcohol and exasperated humour.
Gareth Armstrong brings the cast of characters to life beautifully - his concierge is great fun.
October 29, 2021
Un Maigret tutto parigino. Dopo trentacinque anni di polizia, il comissario si muove con sicurezza disarmante tra i quartieri della sua citta'. L'omicidio di una non piu' giovanissima mantenuta non lo spiazza piu' di tanto, ne' lo sorprende scoprire che i suoi foraggiatori sono ben quattro, l'uno inconsapevole degli altri. Solo una coincidenza lo devia dai canoni delle indagini: nell'omicidio e' coinvolto un suo vecchio compagno di scuola. Non e' mai stato un vero amico, ma separare il presente dai ricordi del passato non sara' cosi' facile.
September 21, 2015
A schoolmate of Maigret's re-enters his life some 40 years since the last time they met, presenting him with a strange murder case and more than a dilemma. Not only is the murder of a young woman a mystery - at the same time Maigret has no reason to trust his childhood friend and his story is not believable, but which are the true parts and what can be dismissed?
July 19, 2025
This is my favourite Maigret novel of the ones I have read so far. Maigret is startled to be approached by an old school friend he hasn’t seen for many years. He is even more surprised when he finds that the reason Florentin has approached him is that his girlfriend Jose has just been murdered, apparently by one of her other lovers. Things get still more complicated when it turns out Florentin was hiding in her closet at the time. Poor Maigret finds himself having to untangle this extraordinary affair. This is a very funny story, it is particularly amusing to see Maigret interviewing Jose’s various lovers. A very amusing and unusual mystery.
May 7, 2022
An engaging, vividly and concisely written crime fiction novel about detective Maigret investigating the murder of Josephine Papet, who had five men who visited her regularly. Her live in boyfriend is Florentin, an unpleasant older man who coincidentally knew Maigret in his school years. Maigret had not seen Florentin for many years. Florentin and Josephine are interesting characters.
This book was first published in 1968 and is the 69th book in the Maigret series.
This book was first published in 1968 and is the 69th book in the Maigret series.
August 30, 2024
Not quite a five but still very good.
August 29, 2019
Eine der interessanteren Fälle Maigrets, er ist inzwischen Mitte 50,beruflich sehr erfolgreich und trifft nach 40 Jahren einen alten Schulkameraden.
Der Erzählstil Simenons ist schlicht, und doch kann er in wenigen Sätzen Charaktere beschreiben, die man tatsächlich vor sich sieht. Humorvoller, als frühere Bände, man erfährt etwas aus Maigrets Jugend.
Gute Unterhaltung, eine interessante Geschichte und ein zufriedenstellend Ende.
Der Erzählstil Simenons ist schlicht, und doch kann er in wenigen Sätzen Charaktere beschreiben, die man tatsächlich vor sich sieht. Humorvoller, als frühere Bände, man erfährt etwas aus Maigrets Jugend.
Gute Unterhaltung, eine interessante Geschichte und ein zufriedenstellend Ende.
April 22, 2023
This 1968 Maigret story is melancholic. Leon Florentin, an old school acquittance who Maigret has not seen in 30 years, shows up at Maigret's office. He tells Maigret that his much younger girlfriend has just been shot dead in her bedroom. Florentin was hiding in her closet at the time. He came to Maigret because he thought that Maigret would understand.
Leon was the class clown back in high school. He was a rich kid in the class and Maigret was never comfortable around him. Maigret gradually realizes that Leon has become a pathological liar who has descended to living in a hazy world between pimp and boyfriend. Maigret hopes that Leon did not commit the murder.
Josey Pipet, his dead girlfriend, is 34. She also lives a life of deceit. Four different men think they are keeping her as a mistress.
Maigret works his way through this crowd of sad lives, all of whom are working desperately to remain respectable. It is a seedy, sleazy story. The case is solved and the murderer is disclosed. The book ends;
"Five minutes later, at the bar of the familiar little restaurant, part of which was a Bistro, he said;
"A beer. In the biggest glass you have."
In thirty-five years, he hadn't met a single one of his fellow students at Lycée Banville.
And of all people it had to Florentine!"
Leon was the class clown back in high school. He was a rich kid in the class and Maigret was never comfortable around him. Maigret gradually realizes that Leon has become a pathological liar who has descended to living in a hazy world between pimp and boyfriend. Maigret hopes that Leon did not commit the murder.
Josey Pipet, his dead girlfriend, is 34. She also lives a life of deceit. Four different men think they are keeping her as a mistress.
Maigret works his way through this crowd of sad lives, all of whom are working desperately to remain respectable. It is a seedy, sleazy story. The case is solved and the murderer is disclosed. The book ends;
"Five minutes later, at the bar of the familiar little restaurant, part of which was a Bistro, he said;
"A beer. In the biggest glass you have."
In thirty-five years, he hadn't met a single one of his fellow students at Lycée Banville.
And of all people it had to Florentine!"
July 30, 2018
The 50th 'Maigret' novel I have read and it has taken just over four years to do so, which means I am averaging one a month. This feels like a minor achievement to me. There are 75 novels in total in the series, so I am two-thirds of the way through. I can project that it will take me another two years to finish the series, which will mean that I will have 'done' all of Maigret in six years.
I have started other book sequences before and often not finished them. I gave up on the Oz novels of Frank L. Baum after six books because they were getting worse, not better. I gave up on the Tarzan books of Edgar Rice Burroughs after the first two. I gave up on Captain Alatriste after five books (though I might return and read the others one day). But with the Maigret series I have absolutely no desire to quit. On the contrary I am finding the novels addictive!
This one is another good example of what I have come to expect from Simenon's 'Maigret' novels. It's not among the handful of real gems that I have read so far, but it's certainly not one of the few clunkers. Simenon is extremely reliable.
I have started other book sequences before and often not finished them. I gave up on the Oz novels of Frank L. Baum after six books because they were getting worse, not better. I gave up on the Tarzan books of Edgar Rice Burroughs after the first two. I gave up on Captain Alatriste after five books (though I might return and read the others one day). But with the Maigret series I have absolutely no desire to quit. On the contrary I am finding the novels addictive!
This one is another good example of what I have come to expect from Simenon's 'Maigret' novels. It's not among the handful of real gems that I have read so far, but it's certainly not one of the few clunkers. Simenon is extremely reliable.
July 27, 2021
Another classic from Simenon. First class consistency in good story writing.
January 19, 2025
Such a joy to simply watch Maigret’s mind at work
March 23, 2021
3rd maigret book in the books. I wonder how long it will take to read all 75. Love it. So far all under 200 pages. This one had a few twists and turns, and boom, case solved. I would recommend starting the series on this one. Seems like a pretty classic maigret case.
August 26, 2017
Over karakterzwakte en overspel.
July 3, 2021
3.5 stars. These Maigret books are addictive.
June 21, 2024
A decent Maigret novel with some great characters but not the most thrilling mystery.
July 20, 2022
This case gives Maigret the challenge of leading an impartial investigation into a case which involves an old schoolmate. This would have been difficult under any circumstances, but more so when the potential suspect presents himself to the Inspector precisely because of their former connection. This leads to a lot of introspection on Maigret's part and as a fan of great characterisation, I found this was a real treat. I also loved the fearsome concierge!
It goes without saying that Gareth Armstrong's performance of the audiobook is excellent; his understanding of Maigret, his inspectors and their co-characters is impeccable.
It goes without saying that Gareth Armstrong's performance of the audiobook is excellent; his understanding of Maigret, his inspectors and their co-characters is impeccable.
April 29, 2024
I love you Mr Maigret yes I do
January 17, 2024
Maigret’s Childhood Friend, by George Simenon, book 69 of the Inspector Maigret series. Not one of my favorites and as you will discover not really a childhood friend -a schoolboy acquaintance.
Pestilence. “The fly buzzed around his head three times before settling on the top left-hand corner of the page of the report that he was annotating. The pencil in Maigret’s hand came to a standstill, and he looked at the insect with amused curiosity. The game had been going on for almost half an hour, and it was still the same fly. He could have sworn he recognized it. There, it lazily rubbed its feet together; it was possible that it was taunting him. Was it really looking at him? …
“as if it had had enough, it took flight and passed through the open window before losing itself in the warm air outside.” — “that fly that fascinated him reminded him of his years at school, when a fly gravitating towards his desk assumed much more importance than the teacher’s lesson.”
Another pest appears from the past. “Léon Florentin Antiques Dealer” ‘Is he tall and thin?’ ‘Very tall and very thin, yes, with a lot of grey hair.’ It was definitely his Florentin, a fellow pupil of his at the Lycée Banville, in Moulins, where he had been the class joker.” — ‘So you aren’t married?’ ‘What’s the point?’ And Florentin pulled one of those faces which had once amused hisclassmates so much and disarmed the teachers. It was as if his long countenance with its well-formed features was made of rubber, the way he managed to twist it in all directions.” —‘ I’m in a spot of bother.’ ‘I’m listening …’ ‘I know. It’s hard to explain. I’ve had a girlfriend for four years …’ ‘Another girlfriend that you live with?’ ‘Yes and no … No … Not exactly … She lives on Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, near Place Saint-Georges.’ — ‘what’s hard to explain … She’s the best girl on earth and I was her lover, her friend and her confidant… ‘Did she have a lot of other boyfriends?’ ‘Wait till I count them … There’s Paré … One … Then Courcel … Two … Then Victor … Three … Then a young fellow I’ve never seen and whom I call the redhead … Four.’ ‘Four lovers who come and see her regularly?’
‘Some once, others twice a week.’ — ‘I swear that Josée and I love each other… ‘Or rather we loved each other …’ The inspector was struck by the word, and his face went blank. ‘Have you two broken up?’ ‘No.’ ‘Has she died?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘When?’ ‘This afternoon’ ‘She was shot.’ ‘By whom?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Where did it happen?’
‘At her apartment … In her room …’ ‘Where were you at that moment?’ He was finding it increasingly hard to avoid his usual formality. ‘In the closet.’ ‘At about three thirty there was a ring on the doorbell, and I hurried to the wardrobe.’ ‘And then?’ ‘Perhaps a quarter of an hour later I heard a sound like a gunshot …’ ‘So at three forty-five …?’ … — “stories that Florentin had told them in the old days, all of which were more or less fantastical. Sometimes it seemed as if he himself couldn’t tell lies from the truth”
Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. “a sitting room where Maigret thought he had gone back fifty years in time, if not more. —the body lying on the carpet. As is often the case, the hole in the throat looked larger than the calibre of a bullet. She had lost a lot of blood, and yet her face showed nothing but astonishment. — the woman was short, plump and gentle, one of those women who make you think of well-cooked stews, of lovingly potted jams.” —“mature men who came once or twice a week, living under the illusion that they were keeping a mistress, while remaining unaware of one another. But were they really all unaware of one another?”
Suspect #1. “ Florentin looked worried, even though he always made an effort to keep a smile on his face. It gave him a strange rictus that reminded Maigret of the Lycée Banville, when his classmate got caught by the teacher he was imitating behind his back.” ‘It takes only a few minutes, a few seconds, to become a murderer. Before that you’re a man like any other.’ ‘I’m not always here. I’ve got a job. I have to earn my living.’ It sounded fake. Another bit of play-acting on the part of Florentin, who had been play-acting all his life. ‘I don’t always tell the truth. It’s stronger than me. You remember the stories I made up to amuse you … Today, I beg you to believe me: I wasn’t the one who killed Josée and I was in the wardrobe when it happened …’ His expression was melodramatic, but then again wasn’t he used to acting? ‘Am I under arrest?’ Maigret looked at him hesitantly. He was serious and worried. ‘No,’ he said at last. He was taking a risk, he knew, but he didn’t feel brave enough to act otherwise.” — “For no precise reason, Maigret was displeased with him. Not with himself or anyone else. Someone had spoiled a day which had, until five in the afternoon, been pleasant and idle. The fly had disappeared, perhaps upset that he hadn’t turned up for their appointment.”
The Four Others. “ ‘And by the way, where did she tell you she came from?’ ‘From near Grenoble.’ It seemed that Joséphine Papet had the same need to tell lies as Florentin. To each man she had given a different place of birth.” ‘Were you affected by her death?’ ‘To tell the truth, no. Millions of people die every day.’ “Maigret got to his feet. He had had enough. If he had continued this interrogation any longer he would have found it difficult to conceal his disgust.” — “ Maigret was in a bad mood and needed a bit of time to calm down. The rain had stopped long ago. A fly, perhaps the same one as yesterday, flew into the room as he sat down and began mechanically scribbling on a sheet of paper. The scribbles turned into words. Premeditation. Maigret was worried, as if something was going wrong with his investigation. He was unhappy with himself, uneasy.”
Return to the Scene. “ ‘Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.’ He felt as if he had forgotten an important point, as if he had overlooked the truth without realizing it. For the whole journey he didn’t say a word” — “He was haunted by the monstrous silhouette of the concierge and her motionless eyes.” ‘I asked you some questions yesterday and now I’m going to ask you them again. I should warn you this time that you could be prosecuted for giving false evidence if you don’t tell the truth.’ “She clearly wasn’t afraid of him.” —“She had never played such an important part in her life, and she seemed to be cheering inwardly. It must have been marvellous to see a chief of police practically begging her to help him. ‘Do you hate Florentin?’ ‘That’s my business.’ ‘One might imagine that you were taking revenge.’ ‘Let people think what they will.’ There was a flaw somewhere, Maigret could feel it. Even if her immobility was natural to her, even if she normally spoke in that monotonous voice, using as few words as possible, something was wrong.” ‘What do you have to say about it?’ he said at last. ‘Nothing.’ He was at the end of his tether. ‘Come on, Lapointe.’ And, once he was in the street: ‘I’m almost certain that she knows something …’
How to Proceed. “ ‘When I think how easy it would be!’ he groaned, taking off his hat. ‘What would be easy?’ ‘Arresting Florentin. That’s what anyone would do in my place. If I told the examining magistrate about half the evidence I have against him, he’d send me to arrest him straight away.’ ‘Why are you hesitating? Because he was your friend?’ ‘Not my friend. A schoolmate,’ — “He was angry with everyone: with Joséphine Papet, first of all, for allowing herself to be killed so stupidly, with Florentin for accumulating all that incriminating evidence against himself, with that solemn civil servant Paré, whose wife suffered from nervous exhaustion, with the fat little ball-bearings man and particularly with that presumptuous limping man from Bordeaux.” —“He suddenly relaxed, realizing how ridiculous his attitude was, and smiled at last. ‘You’re right. It’s stronger than me. I hate it when people cheat. And yet someone’s cheating, and it’s getting to me.’”
The Cheating Issue at Hand. And by cheating, he doesn't mean the affair of a kept woman -Simenon is quite comfortable, personally familiar- even famous with affairs - but the manner here of cheating depriving him his killer.
Read further to see Maigret’s use of his fly swatter to resolve this pestilence of cheats. Perhaps not his best, but still an interesting read.
Pestilence. “The fly buzzed around his head three times before settling on the top left-hand corner of the page of the report that he was annotating. The pencil in Maigret’s hand came to a standstill, and he looked at the insect with amused curiosity. The game had been going on for almost half an hour, and it was still the same fly. He could have sworn he recognized it. There, it lazily rubbed its feet together; it was possible that it was taunting him. Was it really looking at him? …
“as if it had had enough, it took flight and passed through the open window before losing itself in the warm air outside.” — “that fly that fascinated him reminded him of his years at school, when a fly gravitating towards his desk assumed much more importance than the teacher’s lesson.”
Another pest appears from the past. “Léon Florentin Antiques Dealer” ‘Is he tall and thin?’ ‘Very tall and very thin, yes, with a lot of grey hair.’ It was definitely his Florentin, a fellow pupil of his at the Lycée Banville, in Moulins, where he had been the class joker.” — ‘So you aren’t married?’ ‘What’s the point?’ And Florentin pulled one of those faces which had once amused hisclassmates so much and disarmed the teachers. It was as if his long countenance with its well-formed features was made of rubber, the way he managed to twist it in all directions.” —‘ I’m in a spot of bother.’ ‘I’m listening …’ ‘I know. It’s hard to explain. I’ve had a girlfriend for four years …’ ‘Another girlfriend that you live with?’ ‘Yes and no … No … Not exactly … She lives on Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, near Place Saint-Georges.’ — ‘what’s hard to explain … She’s the best girl on earth and I was her lover, her friend and her confidant… ‘Did she have a lot of other boyfriends?’ ‘Wait till I count them … There’s Paré … One … Then Courcel … Two … Then Victor … Three … Then a young fellow I’ve never seen and whom I call the redhead … Four.’ ‘Four lovers who come and see her regularly?’
‘Some once, others twice a week.’ — ‘I swear that Josée and I love each other… ‘Or rather we loved each other …’ The inspector was struck by the word, and his face went blank. ‘Have you two broken up?’ ‘No.’ ‘Has she died?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘When?’ ‘This afternoon’ ‘She was shot.’ ‘By whom?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Where did it happen?’
‘At her apartment … In her room …’ ‘Where were you at that moment?’ He was finding it increasingly hard to avoid his usual formality. ‘In the closet.’ ‘At about three thirty there was a ring on the doorbell, and I hurried to the wardrobe.’ ‘And then?’ ‘Perhaps a quarter of an hour later I heard a sound like a gunshot …’ ‘So at three forty-five …?’ … — “stories that Florentin had told them in the old days, all of which were more or less fantastical. Sometimes it seemed as if he himself couldn’t tell lies from the truth”
Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. “a sitting room where Maigret thought he had gone back fifty years in time, if not more. —the body lying on the carpet. As is often the case, the hole in the throat looked larger than the calibre of a bullet. She had lost a lot of blood, and yet her face showed nothing but astonishment. — the woman was short, plump and gentle, one of those women who make you think of well-cooked stews, of lovingly potted jams.” —“mature men who came once or twice a week, living under the illusion that they were keeping a mistress, while remaining unaware of one another. But were they really all unaware of one another?”
Suspect #1. “ Florentin looked worried, even though he always made an effort to keep a smile on his face. It gave him a strange rictus that reminded Maigret of the Lycée Banville, when his classmate got caught by the teacher he was imitating behind his back.” ‘It takes only a few minutes, a few seconds, to become a murderer. Before that you’re a man like any other.’ ‘I’m not always here. I’ve got a job. I have to earn my living.’ It sounded fake. Another bit of play-acting on the part of Florentin, who had been play-acting all his life. ‘I don’t always tell the truth. It’s stronger than me. You remember the stories I made up to amuse you … Today, I beg you to believe me: I wasn’t the one who killed Josée and I was in the wardrobe when it happened …’ His expression was melodramatic, but then again wasn’t he used to acting? ‘Am I under arrest?’ Maigret looked at him hesitantly. He was serious and worried. ‘No,’ he said at last. He was taking a risk, he knew, but he didn’t feel brave enough to act otherwise.” — “For no precise reason, Maigret was displeased with him. Not with himself or anyone else. Someone had spoiled a day which had, until five in the afternoon, been pleasant and idle. The fly had disappeared, perhaps upset that he hadn’t turned up for their appointment.”
The Four Others. “ ‘And by the way, where did she tell you she came from?’ ‘From near Grenoble.’ It seemed that Joséphine Papet had the same need to tell lies as Florentin. To each man she had given a different place of birth.” ‘Were you affected by her death?’ ‘To tell the truth, no. Millions of people die every day.’ “Maigret got to his feet. He had had enough. If he had continued this interrogation any longer he would have found it difficult to conceal his disgust.” — “ Maigret was in a bad mood and needed a bit of time to calm down. The rain had stopped long ago. A fly, perhaps the same one as yesterday, flew into the room as he sat down and began mechanically scribbling on a sheet of paper. The scribbles turned into words. Premeditation. Maigret was worried, as if something was going wrong with his investigation. He was unhappy with himself, uneasy.”
Return to the Scene. “ ‘Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.’ He felt as if he had forgotten an important point, as if he had overlooked the truth without realizing it. For the whole journey he didn’t say a word” — “He was haunted by the monstrous silhouette of the concierge and her motionless eyes.” ‘I asked you some questions yesterday and now I’m going to ask you them again. I should warn you this time that you could be prosecuted for giving false evidence if you don’t tell the truth.’ “She clearly wasn’t afraid of him.” —“She had never played such an important part in her life, and she seemed to be cheering inwardly. It must have been marvellous to see a chief of police practically begging her to help him. ‘Do you hate Florentin?’ ‘That’s my business.’ ‘One might imagine that you were taking revenge.’ ‘Let people think what they will.’ There was a flaw somewhere, Maigret could feel it. Even if her immobility was natural to her, even if she normally spoke in that monotonous voice, using as few words as possible, something was wrong.” ‘What do you have to say about it?’ he said at last. ‘Nothing.’ He was at the end of his tether. ‘Come on, Lapointe.’ And, once he was in the street: ‘I’m almost certain that she knows something …’
How to Proceed. “ ‘When I think how easy it would be!’ he groaned, taking off his hat. ‘What would be easy?’ ‘Arresting Florentin. That’s what anyone would do in my place. If I told the examining magistrate about half the evidence I have against him, he’d send me to arrest him straight away.’ ‘Why are you hesitating? Because he was your friend?’ ‘Not my friend. A schoolmate,’ — “He was angry with everyone: with Joséphine Papet, first of all, for allowing herself to be killed so stupidly, with Florentin for accumulating all that incriminating evidence against himself, with that solemn civil servant Paré, whose wife suffered from nervous exhaustion, with the fat little ball-bearings man and particularly with that presumptuous limping man from Bordeaux.” —“He suddenly relaxed, realizing how ridiculous his attitude was, and smiled at last. ‘You’re right. It’s stronger than me. I hate it when people cheat. And yet someone’s cheating, and it’s getting to me.’”
The Cheating Issue at Hand. And by cheating, he doesn't mean the affair of a kept woman -Simenon is quite comfortable, personally familiar- even famous with affairs - but the manner here of cheating depriving him his killer.
Read further to see Maigret’s use of his fly swatter to resolve this pestilence of cheats. Perhaps not his best, but still an interesting read.
July 22, 2014
Gli amici d’infanzia ci riportano sempre ad un periodo perduto della nostra vita ed è proprio questo che accade a Maigret, quando va a fargli visita Léon Florentin, il figlio del miglior pasticciere di Moulins, quello che aveva sempre le tasche piene di soldi ed era sempre così sicuro di sé. Quel tipo, un tempo così loquace e quasi un bullo, ora è nei guai. Gli racconta quello che gli è accaduto: è il testimone involontario di un delitto. Il suo racconto ha poco di credibile, ma il commissario Maigret vuole dar credito all’amico e pensa che nelle parole dell’amico “d’infanzia” ci sia un fondo di verità. Non vuole pensare che Léon possa essere l’assassino.
All’inizio le indagini procedono però un po’ a tentoni, perché la vittima, la donna che manteneva da anni, era mantenuta anche da altri uomini.
L’unica testimone che potrebbe dire di più, la portinaia dello stabile dove abitava la vittima, è una donna reticente e non parla molto non provando simpatia nei confronti di Maigret.
L’inchiesta iniziata come sempre un po’ a rilento e con un ritmo rilassato, si fa presto serrata. Solo Maigret, con la sua abilità logica e il suo metodo, come dice il protagonista stesso, “di non avere metodo”, può far luce sul giallo che vede coinvolto il suo amico d’infanzia.
Come sempre il romanzo è breve, le inchieste condotte da Maigret si discostano un po’ dai metodi del poliziesco classico, ma tracciano suggestivi ritratti psicologici dei personaggi coinvolti, nella misteriosa atmosfera della città di Parigi.
Consigliato.
March 24, 2020
Superb vintage noir. Simenon takes the reader inside the heads of Maigret and his suspects, as he wrestles with the evidence and his intuition.
March 20, 2022
So many suspects gathered in the same interrogation room, so little physical evidence. Yet why was the victim’s bedroom wiped clean of any fingerprints? The answer is stunning!
August 10, 2020
I’ve read and liked many titles in Georges Simenon’s Maigret series, and so I was happy to receive an ARC of the e-book version of Maigret’s Childhood Friend, which is a title from almost at the end of the long series. Even though I’m a fan of mysteries set in France, this was a book I hadn’t yet read (there are a LOT of Maigret titles), so I was happy to get a chance to read it in exchange for my honest review.
As usual for a Maigret title, there is a quite nice mystery at the heart of the book. (What I’m saying next isn’t really a spoiler, since this becomes obvious very early in the story.) The murder victim has been juggling four different lovers, at least some of whom were contributing financially to her well-being. But somehow the victim still comes across as a mostly warm and caring person, which I thought was well done of Simenon – it would have been easy to portray her as a stereotypical hard-hearted kept-woman.
As it turns out, one of the four lovers is a friend, or at least an acquaintance, from Maigret’s school days, and he brings the case directly to him. Simenon did a really nice job of portraying the discomfort this causes Maigret. Still, Maigret and his team do their thing, investigating the four, along with a particularly obnoxious and uncooperative building concierge. And I had fun following their investigations and the possible culprits throughout Paris, and daydreaming about many of the different places mentioned. I’ve also always liked the interplay between Maigret and Madame Maigret, and there’s some of that here too, including a weekend trip in their car.
All-in-all, I’m very glad to have had the chance to read this, and will keep an eye out for other Maigret titles in e-book format in the future. Finally, please note that for me, 4 stars out of 5 is a really good ranking. I reserve 5 stars for a very few absolute favorite books – ones I will read, and re-read again, probably no more than one in thirty or forty books. So 4 stars is a solid recommendation from me. And once again, my thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the advance review copy.
Please also note that this book was also published some years ago in English using the title, Maigret’s Boyhood Friend, athough the translation of L’Ami d’enfance de Maigret is closer to the current title. Not that it really matters!
As usual for a Maigret title, there is a quite nice mystery at the heart of the book. (What I’m saying next isn’t really a spoiler, since this becomes obvious very early in the story.) The murder victim has been juggling four different lovers, at least some of whom were contributing financially to her well-being. But somehow the victim still comes across as a mostly warm and caring person, which I thought was well done of Simenon – it would have been easy to portray her as a stereotypical hard-hearted kept-woman.
As it turns out, one of the four lovers is a friend, or at least an acquaintance, from Maigret’s school days, and he brings the case directly to him. Simenon did a really nice job of portraying the discomfort this causes Maigret. Still, Maigret and his team do their thing, investigating the four, along with a particularly obnoxious and uncooperative building concierge. And I had fun following their investigations and the possible culprits throughout Paris, and daydreaming about many of the different places mentioned. I’ve also always liked the interplay between Maigret and Madame Maigret, and there’s some of that here too, including a weekend trip in their car.
All-in-all, I’m very glad to have had the chance to read this, and will keep an eye out for other Maigret titles in e-book format in the future. Finally, please note that for me, 4 stars out of 5 is a really good ranking. I reserve 5 stars for a very few absolute favorite books – ones I will read, and re-read again, probably no more than one in thirty or forty books. So 4 stars is a solid recommendation from me. And once again, my thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the advance review copy.
Please also note that this book was also published some years ago in English using the title, Maigret’s Boyhood Friend, athough the translation of L’Ami d’enfance de Maigret is closer to the current title. Not that it really matters!
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