cyanscanner's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
dcsilbertrust's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
laurahastoomanywips's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Two interesting tales featuring Maigret. Very much of their time, so writing style may not be for everyone.
circularcubes's review
3.0
I first heard about the Maigret books when I found a check-out slip for The Cellars of the Majestic in a library book a few years book (in a copy of The Maltese Falcon, judging by what I was reading at the time I added it to my to-read list). I'm found of crime fiction, and I was intrigued by this long-running and seemingly popular French detective series, so I added it to my ever-growing to-read list.
It's not exactly what I was expecting. The writing is bit odd - a little disjointed, with a lot more exclamation marks and ellipses than I was expecting. I'm not sure if it's the translation or a feature of the original French, although I suspect it may be perhaps either a stylistic feature of the crime/detective novel genre in France at the time or a way to make Maigret as unpretentious and masculine as possible.
I also felt uncomfortable reading about the way Jewish characters were depicted, especially knowing that the book was published just a few years before the start of the Holocaust.
Despite all the above, I enjoyed reading this, and I think I'll give a few more Maigret novels a try (although I can't say yet whether or not I'll be able to commit to reading all 75(!) Maigret mysteries).
It's not exactly what I was expecting. The writing is bit odd - a little disjointed, with a lot more exclamation marks and ellipses than I was expecting. I'm not sure if it's the translation or a feature of the original French, although I suspect it may be perhaps either a stylistic feature of the crime/detective novel genre in France at the time or a way to make Maigret as unpretentious and masculine as possible.
I also felt uncomfortable reading about the way Jewish characters were depicted, especially knowing that the book was published just a few years before the start of the Holocaust.
Despite all the above, I enjoyed reading this, and I think I'll give a few more Maigret novels a try (although I can't say yet whether or not I'll be able to commit to reading all 75(!) Maigret mysteries).
eb00kie's review against another edition
3.0
Good for French practice, but unlike the Arsène Lupin collection it is based more on the drama than action scenes, character development, cunning and intrigue.
lit_chick's review
4.0
Not my usual fare, but I what a joy to read. Well written, rich language and detail, great characters. Looking forward to more of the curmudgeonly Maigret.
dajna's review against another edition
3.0
Comincio, a tempo perso, la lettura del commissario Maigret.
Mi piacciono i gialli pre-CSI, quelli dove sembra esserci un codice etico tra guardie e ladri e dove c’è poco sangue.
Questa trama coinvolge con un classico gioco delle parti ed identità reinventate. Il commissario è ingombrante al punto giusto, senza sminuire i suoi comprimari. I cattivi si pentono ed espiano le loro colpe. Forse la fine è prevedibile, ma contemporaneamente anche rassicurante.
Mi piacciono i gialli pre-CSI, quelli dove sembra esserci un codice etico tra guardie e ladri e dove c’è poco sangue.
Questa trama coinvolge con un classico gioco delle parti ed identità reinventate. Il commissario è ingombrante al punto giusto, senza sminuire i suoi comprimari. I cattivi si pentono ed espiano le loro colpe. Forse la fine è prevedibile, ma contemporaneamente anche rassicurante.
paulataua's review
3.0
Short and a reasonably good story, but I think I made a mistake by starting with the very first Maigret before the writer had time to develop the character. All i got was he was a big man who constantly refilled his pipe as he won the day. in retrospect, I think I should have started later in the series. Still worth reading!
8797999's review
3.0
My first time reading an Inspector Maigret novel and I have to say I quite enjoyed it. A very fun and enjoyable plot. Quite a short book but with over 70 books in the series, there will be a lot to enjoy.
I know there is a television adaptation featuring Rowan Atkinson as Maigret, that is the jarring thing for me, he seems polar opposite to how Maigret is physically described in the book.
For a first book it was a good start and I am sure I will be reading many more of these.
I know there is a television adaptation featuring Rowan Atkinson as Maigret, that is the jarring thing for me, he seems polar opposite to how Maigret is physically described in the book.
For a first book it was a good start and I am sure I will be reading many more of these.