Talk:Georges Simenon

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Sex life[edit]

  • This article is too obsessed with numbers, with, for such a thin bio, a strange insistence on the subject's sex life.
    • I disagree. There is a little over one line that focuses on his sex life, and nine lines involving the rest of his life. So yes, I agree, the bio is thin, but if you would like to make it thick, the talk page is not the place for it.--Methegreat 01:18, 7 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]
      • Sex was the most important thing in his life, besides writing, so it's not strange it features the subject's bio prominently.
  • Sex IS the most important thing in life, before writing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.83.102.19 (talk) 23:32, 7 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]
        • He was mentioned in Vonnegut's "Hocus Pocus" because "According to his obituary in the New York Times, he copulated with 3 different women a day for years and years." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.63.82.37 (talk) 02:17, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
          • If it's true, it needs refs. There's no excuse for the lack of them. Malick78 (talk) 17:00, 13 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Bibliography[edit]

I'm wondering, should we maybe make a list of his books? And yes, there are way too many, but we could at least try to do the maigrets, because it doesn't name any of his books, just says how many there are. If so, I can help with the effort.--Methegreat 01:11, 7 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The French Wikipedia has the complete list, we could copy it and add the English translations. Karl Stas 17:25, 17 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]
The problem is that some, if not most of his best books are not Maigrets (La neige etait sale, Les inconnus dans la maison, La Veuve Couderc, Le Chat, etc.). A good selection of books could be the one in the two volumes of Bibliothèque de la Pléiade (2003). The list of the Pléiade novels is the following: Le Charretier de la « Providence » - L'Affaire Saint-Fiacre - Les Fiançailles de Mr. Hire - Le Coup de lune - La Maison du canal - L'Homme qui regardait passer les trains - Le Bourgmestre de Furnes - Les Inconnus dans la maison - La Veuve Couderc - Lettre à mon juge - La Neige était sale - Les Mémoires de Maigret - La Mort de Belle - Maigret et l'homme du banc - L'Horloger d'Everton - Le Président - Le Train - Maigret et les braves gens - Les Anneaux de Bicêtre - Le Petit Saint - Le Chat Hektor 22:14, 3 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Cleanup[edit]

I think there is much to be improved in this article. I wrote the first version, using information I basically "googled" together. Sadly, the article has hardly expanded or improved since. The facts should be checked and the style could use some polishing too. Karl Stas 17:25, 17 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The New York Review of Books has been reissuing a number of his novels in traslation over the past year or so. If you go to their website [1] you can see what they've put out so far. If I'm not mistaken, they're the only American english-language editions in print (I'm not sure about British editions). Thanks.--Staple 03:52, 1 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

oops. Looks like the Maigret books are also in print here, with a different publisher...--Staple 20:43, 1 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • Penguin Classics UK has a number of books in print by Simenon, at least 15, maybe more. They include: The Bar on the Seine, The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, Maigret and the Idle Burglar, The Strangers in the House, The Friend of Madame Maigret, Maigret and the Ghost, My Friend Maigret, Monsieur Monde Vanishes, The Hotel Majestic, Maigret in Court, The Yellow Dog, The Man on the Boulevard, A Man's Head, Lock 14, and The Little Man from Archangel (italicized books are my preferred editions). The site is http://www.penguinclassics.co.uk/ . You can also go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/ . As a side note, I will say that I find it odd that only the original french titles of Simenon's books are mentioned on this wikipedia page... since this is the english language version of wikipedia, might it be more helpful to just use the english translations of those titles? or at least have the english language titles in addition to/alongside the french? --Johnny Panic 09:43, 18 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Cleanup and overhaul[edit]

I've just begun cleaning up and greatly expanding the article. I'm borrowing liberally from the excellent French-language Wikipedia page on Simenon. I recently read Simenon's Mémoires Intimes and hopefully remember some of it.

Another thing that needs to be looked into is just how many copies of Simenon's books were printed. This page said 1.4 billion but the French Wikipedia page said only 550 million.

--Gregory Arkadin 21:15, 18 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

New Section Added[edit]

I went ahead and added a Selected Bibliography section. Seems a bit sloppy at this point, but at least it's something, I suppose. Perhaps the section should be divided into 2 sub-sections: UK editions, and American editions, or something to that effect. If any one thinks they have a better way of doing it... Johnny Panic 11:41, 20 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Wouldn't "Novelist" be more accurate than merely "writer"?

Michael Donovan, 11 September 2006.

"...pages per day"[edit]

This isn't a very useful measure. Words per day would be more useful. Also, like much of this article, it's unreferenced. Cooke (talk) 00:17, 20 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

New on Wikimedia Commons[edit]

  • File:Georges Simenon (1963) without hat by Erling Mandelmann.jpg and File:Georges Simenon (1963) by Erling Mandelmann .jpg. Jo Lorib (talk) 15:13, 11 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Novels and short story collections, Chronological, from fr:wikipedia, via google translate[edit]

  • Pietr-le-Letton (mai 1931)
Pietr-le-Latvian (May 1931)
  • Le Charretier de la Providence (mars 1931)
Wagoner Providence (March 1931)
  • Monsieur Gallet, décédé (février 1931)
Mr Gallet, who died (February 1931)
  • Le Pendu de Saint-Pholien (février 1931)
Le Pendu de Saint-Pholien (February 1931)
  • La Tête d'un homme (L'homme de la Tour Eiffel) (septembre 1931)
The Head of a Man (The man of the Eiffel Tower) (September 1931)
  • Le Chien jaune (avril 1931)
Yellow Dog (April 1931)
Maigret And The Yellow Dog
  • La Nuit du carrefour (juin 1931)
The Night of the crossroads (June 1931)
  • Un crime en Hollande (juillet 1931)
A crime in Holland (July 1931)
  • Au rendez-vous des Terre-Neuvas (août 1931)
At the appointment of Terre-Neuvas (August 1931)
  • La Danseuse du Gai-Moulin (novembre 1931)
The Dancer Gay-Moulin (November 1931)
  • La Guinguette à deux sous (décembre 1931)
The two sub Guinguette (December 1931)
  • L'Ombre chinoise (janvier 1932)
Chinese Shadow (January 1932)
  • L'Affaire Saint-Fiacre (février 1932)
L'Affaire Saint-Fiacre (February 1932)
  • Chez les Flamands (mars 1932)
With Flemish (March 1932)
  • Le Port des brumes (mai 1932)
The Port of Shadows (May 1932)
  • Le Fou de Bergerac (avril 1932)
The Madman of Bergerac (April 1932)
  • Liberty Bar (juillet 1932)
Liberty Bar (July 1932)
  • L'Écluse no 1 (juin 1933)
The Lock No. 1 (June 1933)
  • Maigret (mars 1934)
Maigret (March 1934)
  • Les Nouvelles Enquêtes de Maigret (mars 1944), recueil de nouvelles :
News Investigations of Maigret (March 1944), collection of short stories:
  • L'Affaire du Boulevard Beaumarchais (24 et 31 octobre 1936)
The Affair of the Boulevard Beaumarchais (24 and October 31, 1936)
  • La Péniche aux deux pendus (30 octobre et 7 novembre 1936)
Houseboat both hanged (October 30 and November 7, 1936)
  • La Fenêtre ouverte (7 et 14 novembre 1936)
The Open Window (7 and Nov. 14, 1936)
  • Peine de mort (14 novembre 1936)
Death Penalty (14 November 1936)
  • Les Larmes de bougie (22 novembre 1936)
Candle Tears (22 November 1936)
  • Rue Pigalle (28 novembre et 5 décembre 1936)
Rue Pigalle (November 28 and December 5, 1936)
  • Monsieur Lundi (20 décembre 1936)
Mr. Monday (20 December 1936)
  • Une erreur de Maigret (2 janvier 1937)
An error Maigret (2 January 1937)
  • Jeumont, 51 minutes d'arrêt (écrit en octobre 1936)
Jeumont, 51 minutes stop (written in October 1936)
  • Mademoiselle Berthe et son amant (29 avril 1938)
Miss Berthe and her lover (April 29, 1938)
  • Tempête sur la Manche (20 mai 1938)
Storm on the English Channel (May 20, 1938)
  • Le Notaire de Châteauneuf (17 juin 1938)
Châteauneuf Notary (June 17, 1938)
  • L'Improbable Monsieur Owen (15 juillet 1938)
The Improbable Mr. Owen (15 July 1938)
  • Ceux du Grand-Café (12 août 1938)
Those of the Grand Café (12 August 1938)
  • L'Étoile du Nord (30 septembre 1938)
North Star (30 September 1938)
  • L'Auberge aux noyés (11 novembre 1938)
The Auberge aux drowned (11 November 1938)
  • Stan le tueur (23 décembre 1938)
Stan the killer (23 December 1938)
  • La Vieille Dame de Bayeux (3 février 1939)
The Old Lady of Bayeux (3 February 1939)
  • L'Amoureux de Madame Maigret (28 juillet 1939)
The love of Madame Maigret (28 July 1939)
  • Menaces de mort (8 mars au 12 avril 1942), nouvelle reprise en volume en 1992
Death threats (March 8 to April 12, 1942), further recovery in volume in 1992
  • Maigret revient\u2026 (octobre 1942), recueil de courts romans :
Maigret returns ... (October 1942), a collection of short novels:
  • Les Caves du Majestic (terminé en décembre 1939)
Les Caves du Majestic (completed December 1939)
  • La Maison du juge (terminé le 31 janvier 1940)
The House of Justice (ended January 31, 1940)
  • Cécile est morte (terminé en décembre 1940)
Cecilia died (ended December 1940)
  • Signé Picpus (janvier 1944), recueil de courts romans :
Signed Picpus (January 1944), a collection of short novels:
  • Signé Picpus (écrit en 1941)
Signed Picpus (written in 1941)
  • Félicie est là (écrit en mai 1942)
Felicie is (written in May 1942)
  • L'Inspecteur Cadavre (écrit en mars 1942)
The Inspector Cadaver (written in March 1942)
  • La Pipe de Maigret (juillet 1947), nouvelle
Pipe Maigret (July 1947), new
  • Maigret se fâche (juillet 1947)
Maigret is angry (July 1947)
  • Maigret à New York (juillet 1947)
Maigret in New York (July 1947)
  • Maigret et l'Inspecteur malgracieux (octobre 1947), recueil de nouvelles :
Inspector Maigret and ungracious (October 1947), collection of short stories:
  • Le Témoignage de l'enfant de ch\u0153ur (écrit le 28 avril 1946)
The Testimony of the altar boy (28 April 1946)
  • Le Client le plus obstiné du monde (écrit le 2 mai 1946)
The most stubborn of the world Client (written May 2, 1946)
  • Maigret et l'Inspecteur malgracieux (écrit le 5 mai 1946)
Inspector Maigret and ungracious (5 May 1946)
  • On ne tue pas les pauvres types (écrit le 15 août 1946)
You do not kill the poor guys (15 August 1946)
  • Les Vacances de Maigret (juin 1948)
Maigret's Holiday (June 1948)
  • Maigret et son mort (mai 1948)
Maigret and his death (May 1948)
  • La Première Enquête de Maigret, 1913 (février 1949)
The First Survey of Maigret, 1913 (February 1949)
  • Mon ami Maigret (juin 1949)
My Friend Maigret (June 1949)
  • Maigret chez le coroner (octobre 1949)
Maigret at the Coroner (October 1949)
  • Maigret et la Vieille Dame (février 1950)
Maigret and the Old Lady (February 1950)
  • L'Amie de madame Maigret (mai 1950)
L'Amie Madame Maigret (May 1950)
  • Maigret et les Petits Cochons sans queue (août 1950), recueil de nouvelles, dont deux avec Maigret :
Maigret and tailless Little Pigs (August 1950), collection of short stories, two with Maigret:
  • L'Homme dans la rue (écrite en 1939)
The man in the street (written in 1939)
  • Vente à la bougie (écrite en 1939)
Sale in the candle (written in 1939)
  • Les Mémoires de Maigret (janvier 1951)
The Memoirs of Maigret (in January 1951)
  • Un Noël de Maigret, recueil de nouvelles, dont la nouvelle éponyme avec Maigret (écrite en mai 1950), nouvelle
A Christmas Maigret story collection, whose title story with Maigret (written in May 1950), new
  • Maigret au « Picratt's » (avril 1951)
Maigret the "Picratt's" (April 1951)
  • Maigret en meublé (juillet 1951)
Maigret furnished (July 1951)
  • Maigret et la Grande Perche (octobre 1951)
Maigret and Great Perche (October 1951)
  • Maigret, Lognon et les Gangsters (février 1952)
Maigret, Lognon and Gangsters (February 1952)
  • Le Revolver de Maigret (septembre 1952)
The Revolver de Maigret (September 1952)
  • Maigret et l'Homme du banc (janvier 1953)
Maigret and the Man of the bench (January 1953)
  • Maigret a peur (juillet 1953)
Maigret is afraid (July 1953)
  • Maigret se trompe (novembre 1953)
Maigret is wrong (November 1953)
  • Maigret à l'école (mars 1954)
Maigret Goes to School (March 1954)
  • Maigret et la Jeune Morte (juin 1954)
Maigret and the Young Dead (June 1954)
  • Maigret chez le ministre (novembre 1954)
Maigret and the Minister (November 1954)
  • Maigret et le Corps sans tête (juin 1955)
Maigret and the Headless Body (June 1955)
  • Maigret tend un piège (octobre 1955)
Maigret Sets a Trap (October 1955)
  • Un échec de Maigret (septembre 1956)
A failure of Maigret (September 1956)
  • Maigret s'amuse (mars 1957)
Maigret fun (March 1957)
  • Maigret voyage (décembre 1957)
Maigret trip (December 1957)
  • Les Scrupules de Maigret (juin 1958)
The Scruples of Maigret (June 1958)
  • Maigret et les Témoins récalcitrants (mars 1959)
Maigret and recalcitrant Witnesses (March 1959)
  • Une confidence de Maigret (septembre 1959)
A confidence Maigret (September 1959)
  • Maigret aux assises (mai 1960)
Maigret at the Assizes (May 1960)
  • Maigret et les Vieillards (novembre 1960)
Maigret and the Elders (November 1960)
  • Maigret et le Voleur paresseux (novembre 1961)
Maigret and the lazy Thief (November 1961)
  • Maigret et les Braves Gens (avril 1962)
Maigret and the Braves People (April 1962)
  • Maigret et le Client du samedi (novembre 1962)
Maigret and the Customer Saturday (November 1962)
  • Maigret et le Clochard (1963)
Maigret and the Tramp (1963)
  • La Colère de Maigret (1963)
Wrath of Maigret (1963)
  • Maigret et le Fantôme (juillet 1964)
Maigret and the Ghost (July 1964)
  • Maigret se défend (novembre 1964)
Maigret on the Defensive (November 1964)
  • La Patience de Maigret (novembre 1965)
The Patience of Maigret (November 1965)
  • Maigret et l'Affaire Nahour (décembre 1966)
Maigret and the Case Nahour (December 1966)
  • Le Voleur de Maigret (avril 1967)
The Maigret Thief (April 1967)
  • Maigret à Vichy (janvier 1968)
Maigret in Vichy (January 1968)
  • Maigret hésite (1968)
Maigret hesitates (1968)
  • L'Ami d'enfance de Maigret (novembre 1968)
The childhood friend of Maigret (November 1968)
  • Maigret et le Tueur (octobre 1969)
Maigret and the Killer (October 1969)
  • Maigret et le Marchand de vin (février 1970)
Maigret and the Wine Merchant (February 1970)
  • La Folle de Maigret (novembre 1970)
La Folle de Maigret (November 1970)
  • Maigret et l'Homme tout seul (mai 1971)
Maigret and the Man himself (May 1971)
  • Maigret et l'Indicateur (octobre 1971)
Maigret and the indicator (October 1971)
  • Maigret et Monsieur Charles (juillet 1972)
Maigret and Mr. Charles (July 1972)
~~ Xb2u7Zjzc32 (talk) 01:51, 31 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Dimanche[edit]

I don't know why his 1959 novel Dimanche doesn't appear on lists of his works. We probably should have an article on it. It should at least be mentioned in this one. Andrewa (talk) 02:04, 4 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

amazon.com[edit]

External links modified[edit]

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Early life and education[edit]

Hello all,

I have expanded this section with more information on how Simenon's childhood experiences shaped his later life and writings. I have corrected some information, added sources, and have replaced some sources with more reliable English language sources. Happy to discuss. Aemilius Adolphin (talk) 10:26, 31 January 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Early career (1919-22)[edit]

Hello all

I have changed the title to something more descriptive and less clumsy. I have added sourced information and have removed some unsourced and incorrect information. Happy to discuss. Aemilius Adolphin (talk) 00:16, 1 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

France, 1922-45[edit]

Hello all

I have expanded this section considerably. I have added new sourced information and have replaced some unsourced and incorrect information with reliably sourced information. I have added sub-headings to make the contents easier to follow. Happy to discuss. Aemilius Adolphin (talk) 06:31, 2 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

"Mad Years"[edit]

There isn't anything described in the "Mad Years" section that makes the title make obvious sense. Why are we calling these years the "mad" ones? Tuptastic (talk) 21:32, 3 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I see your point. The French equivalent for the Roaring 20s is Les années folles, but I thought a French sub-heading would be too obscure on the English language Simenon page. I'm not wedded to the sub-heading, but couldn't think of anything better. Happy for any suggestions. Perhaps it would be easier if I put a reference to it in the section. Aemilius Adolphin (talk) 23:19, 3 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
I have changed it to "Literary apprenticeship". It still doesn't seem quite right, seeing that Colette advised Sim to be "less literary"! Aemilius Adolphin (talk) 23:28, 3 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Birth date[edit]

Hello all,

I have changed the birth date in the info box to 12 February. This is the birthdate recorded on his birth certificate.[1] Simenon later said that according to family legend his was actually born at 12.10 am on Friday, 13 February and that his mother made his father falsify the date on the birth cetificate due to her superstition about Friday 13th.[1] However, Simenon later conceded that he wasn't sure about his real birthday.(See Simenon, Georges (1978). Au-delà de ma porte-fenêtre. p. 183). The Belgian National Biography gives his birth date as 12 February.[2] So I think the most reliable evidence supports the 12 February birthdate. Happy to discuss. Aemilius Adolphin (talk) 04:50, 10 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

References

  1. ^ a b Marnham, Patrick (1994). The Man who Wasn't Maigret, a portrait of Georges Simenon. Harvest Books. pp. 10–11. ISBN 0156000598.
  2. ^ Acadamé Royale des sciences, des lettres et des beaux-arts de Belgique (1997). Nouvelle Biographie Nationale (in French). Vol. 4. Brussels: Acadamé Royale de Belgique. pp. 354–9.