Simenon

Description

The legendary Georges Simenon was the most successful and influential writer of crime fiction in a language other than English; André Gide called him 'the greatest French novelist of our times'.Celebrated crime fiction expert Barry Forshaw's informed and lively study draws together Simenon's extraordinary life and his work on both page and screen. By the time of Simenon's death in 1989, his French copper Maigret had become an institution, rivaled only by Sherlock Holmes. The pipe-smoking Inspector of Police is a quietly spoken observer of human nature who uses the techniques of psychology on those he encounters (both the guilty and the innocent) – with no rush to moral condemnation. Simenon's non-Maigret standalone books are among the most commanding in the genre, and, as a trenchant picture of French society, his concise novels collectively offer up a fascinating analysis. And his influence on an army of later crime writers is incalculable.

Alongside his own considerable insights, Barry Forshaw has interviewed people who worked either with Simenon or on his books: publishers, editors, translators, and other specialist writers. He has created a literary prism through which to appreciate one of the most distinctive achievements in the whole of crime fiction.

Barry Forshaw is one of the UK's leading experts on crime fiction and film. His books include Crime Fiction: A Reader's Guide, Nordic Noir, Italian Cinema, American Noir and British Crime Film. Other work: Sex and Film, British Gothic Cinema, Euro Noir, Historical Noir, BFI War of the Worlds and the Keating Award-winners British Crime Writing Encyclopedia and Brit Noir. He writes for various newspapers, contributes Blu-ray extras, broadcasts, chairs events and edits Crime Time.
crimetime.co.uk

Gerard Depardieu is the newest face of the famous detective in 2022 feature film Maigret, US release TBDGeorges Simenon was the most successful writer of crime fiction in a language other than English and his French detective Jules Maigret remains famous

The first major biography of Simenon in over twenty years, this is an indispensable guide to the author's life and character, his remarkable literary achievements, and the many adaptations of his work in other media.

Includes interviews with Simenon's friends, publishers, editors, translators and other specialist crime writers

2022 marks 50 years since the publication of Simenon's final Maigret novel,Maigret and Monsieur Charles21st century has seen a boom in translated editions of European crime fiction and Simenon's work continues to be enjoyed by new readers

The Maigret novels have been adapted for television three times in the UK, with the most recent series starring Rowan Atkinson in the title role

Barry Forshaw writes for a range of magazines and newspapers and broadcasts on crime fiction for radio and TV. He is the editor ofCrime Timeand appears at many literary festivals interviewing popular crime authors

Forshaw's award-winning books include the much-acclaimedCrime Fiction: A Reader's Guide, as well asNordic Noir, Brit Noir, Euro Noir, American Noir, Historical NoirandItalian CinemaFeb 2022 article on LitHub's CrimeReads:https://crimereads.com/simenon-romans-durs-noir/