Thi
s
is one of Simenon’s standalones, which I generally prefer to the more
formulaic, of still wonderful, Maigrets. A French family lives comfortably, if
claustrophobically, outside of town. The first person narrator is
twenty-one and works at the local hospital as a research assistant.
She’s having a rather prosaic affair with her employer, an older
scientist. Her younger brother is taking classes at the local college,
majoring in chemistry.
s
is one of Simenon’s standalones, which I generally prefer to the more
formulaic, of still wonderful, Maigrets. A French family lives comfortably, if
claustrophobically, outside of town. The first person narrator is
twenty-one and works at the local hospital as a research assistant.
She’s having a rather prosaic affair with her employer, an older
scientist. Her younger brother is taking classes at the local college,
majoring in chemistry.
The
two siblings live with their parents in a state of constant tension.
The mother is an alcoholic, and goes on binges that the rest of the
family calls ‘novenas’. Her behavior seems to date from the beginning of
her marriage and has almost a formal structure to it. The tension of
her behavior is palpable throughout the story.
A
newly hired maid, a sexually obliging sort of girl, Manuela, from Spain,
brings some needed air into this hothouse. Both father and son begin
sleeping with her. Neither is satisfied with this arrangement.
When
Manuela disappears. it is unclear what has happened and the ambiguity
will either intrigue or annoy you. The ending is surprising, yet
fitting. This was not my favorite Simenon and yet it succeeded in
keeping my interest. Short novels stand a better chance of doing that.
13 comments:
Get a sense that some of his that you've read have better translations than others?
I really ought to read his standalones, Patti. I keep hearing they're very good. Thanks for the reminder.
This sounds fabulous! What are your favorite Simenon novels?
I definitely remember reading this one, though I don't remember the ending. Last time you reviewed one, I pulled out my list of unread Simenon standalones (I've read all the Maigrets) and tried to decide which one to read from the dozens on the shelves, but, as usual, I got distracted by something shiny (library books!) and didn't read one. I agree that it helps that most of them are 150-200 or so pages.
The Widowerer, The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, Three Bedrooms in Manhattan, Sunday, The Blue Room. Most of these have been made into films, which probably help me to remember them more easily. I have read a lot of Maigrets but remember them less.
Yes, the standalones are much darker than the Maigrets, Jeff. I have a couple I still haven't read because Phil talked about how dark they were (Dirty Snow and Tropic Moon)
I will have a post on one of Georges Simenon's translators, Eileen Ellenbogen (Alexander) in a few weeks. Like you, I like Simenon's stand-alone novels.
Inquest on Bouvet, Mr. Hire's Engagement, The Old Man Dies, The Little Doctor (short stories) are other possibles.
Oh, yes, I forgot Mr. Hire-great one.
I’ve only read Maigret novels and short stories, and have many still unread. If the stand-alone books are darker, I’ll probably skip them.
I've read and enjoyed November. The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By is to me at the top of the stand-alones (of the ones I've read. The Premier I remember enjoying. Next on my list to read is Belle, which was originally one of the stories in the omnibus Tidal Wave (that included The Brothers Rico and The Bottom of the Bottle-quite a lineup I have that hardback omnibus but will likely read the Signet paperback with a classic cover. The setting of Belle is in New England, written when the author was living in the US, Signet noted that it was the first Simenon it had published with a US setting.
I've read about a dozen standalones. Mostly ones that have been reprinted by NYRB. And I have liked them better than his Maigrets. Haven't read this one. It is always nice that his books are fairly short.
I agree, Richard. That's been my favorite.
And yes, Steve, the length is a real strength.
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