NYRB Classics discussion

A place to talk about all things Georges Simenon

I brought this up in another thread, but you're probably the one to ask. I found a copy of Red Lights with a very glossy cover at a used bookstore several weeks ago. Is this part of the design, or possibly a protective cover used by a library/previous owner? I only ask because it was far shinier than any other NYRB edition I've seen, and I haven't found any other copies of Red Lights elsewhere to compare.

Jacob, my copy is much shinier than other NYRB and so is The Strangers In The House -- both are very glossy.

Good to know, thanks. It seemed unusual at first, but it goes with the cover photo, I guess.

Yes, works well with both!

Seems a bit odd for Strangers, considering the cover art for that one--but I suppose I should see an actual physical copy (on my bookshelves with the other nyrbs, of course) before judging.

You're not wrong here. Our Simenon titles do have glossy covers (except for The Man Who Watched Trains Go By). The production manager here is out this week, but I'll have an answer as to why early next week.

Hope this helps, I'm curious too.

Nick

Ooh, interesting. TMWWTGB is the only Simenon I own so far, and I haven't found any other in stores. I assumed glossy was the exception, but I guess non-glossy is instead. Thanks.

I got my Simenon in the mail yesterday and it is glossy. Now I know what you are talking about.

Yep, got mine too. It's a bit unusual, but I'm starting to like the look. Also got the little catalog announcing a Simenon Sale for October. Uh-oh. I should probably read Act of Passion and The Man Who Watched Trains Go By first, see if I actually like Simenon, before I splurge on more.

Did anyone see this in the recent New Yorker?

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics...

No, I hadn't seen it. Thank you for the link.

New York Review Books wrote: "Did anyone see this in the recent New Yorker?
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics..."

Yeah, it's behind the paywall. Like most of their stuff nowadays.

Yeah, sorry about that. Let's see if this works:
http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=2011...

making my way through "act of passion" now and it's my first simenon.

i hope i start warming up to it soon. something about it isn't working for me.

Hi Selena,

If it helps, I had the same problem when I began reading A Stranger In The House (my first Simenon), but then I gradually got more in step with his writing and then actually enjoyed it.

I have Dirty Snow at home, but Act Of Passion is on my wish list.

New York Review Books wrote: "Did anyone see this in the recent New Yorker?

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics..."

Yes, that's a great article. I have enjoyed Dirty Snow and look forward to more Simenon novels.

Thanks so much to NYRB for getting several of Simenon's best books back in print !

Are there plans to publish more of his work?

I'm reading one now that I've borrowed from my local library, 'The Prison'. A very good book that like so many of his books appears to be out of print.