The Little Restaurant Near Place Des Ternes by Georges Simenon

Georges Joseph Christian Simenon, born on 12/13 February 1903 in Liège, Belgium, and passing away on 4 September 1989, was a prolific Belgian writer renowned for creating the iconic fictional detective Jules Maigret. Simenon's literary legacy extends beyond the realm of detective fiction, with his impressive body of work comprising approximately 400 novels, 21 volumes of memoirs, and numerous short stories, totaling sales of over 500 million copies.
While Jules Maigret brought Simenon widespread fame, he also garnered critical acclaim for his romans durs, or "hard novels," demonstrating his versatility as a writer. Esteemed literary figures such as Max Jacob, François Mauriac, and André Gide praised Simenon, with Gide hailing him as a "great novelist, perhaps the greatest" in contemporary French literature.
Simenon's life unfolded against a backdrop of diverse locales. After being born and raised in Liège, he spent considerable periods residing in France (1922-45), the United States (1946-55), and, ultimately, Switzerland (1957-1989). His literary creations were deeply influenced by his semi-autobiographical reflections, drawing inspiration from his formative years in Liège, extensive travels across Europe and the world, wartime experiences, troubled marriages, and numerous love affairs.
Renowned for his psychological insights and vivid portrayal of time and place, Simenon's novels have been lauded by critics such as John Banville. Among his notable works are "The Saint-Fiacre Affair" (1932), "Monsieur Hire's Engagement" (1933), "Act of Passion" (1947), "The Snow was Dirty" (1948), and "The Cat" (1967). Simenon's enduring impact on literature lies not only in the enduring popularity of Jules Maigret but also in the rich tapestry of narratives that reflect the complexities of human nature and the varied landscapes of his own life.
We read out a classic detective story every week.

[@CleoHarperReturns]

As much as I love your ghost stories I just can't get enough of these. They make me feel feisty.😏

[@classicdetective]

I'm glad I started this too.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Lol, thanks now I can’t stop wondering how in the heck that may choose to manifest itself on various occasions.

[@CleoHarperReturns]

@@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz Oh you know: Me, sitting in an after-hours cafe, imagining I'm a smoldering, street-hardened French sex worker while wondering if the guy in the corner to blow his head off. In actuality I'm looking like a slob, sitting in the kitchen window not talking to anyone and hoping the guy next door will blow his head off. 😁 Life, ridiculously romanticized until it no longer resembles anything close to reality. It's how I cope.

[@mirmcnabb]

Agreed!!

[@marymary5494]

Great stories here. Thank you.

[@classicdetective]

Very happy you are enjoying

[@trex3003]

Simenon never disappoints-- never shallow.

[@sparklemotion8377]

I am glad you have a detective channel. I don't like listening to horror stories at night. Happy Christmas 🎄

[@classicdetective]

Well that;s another good reason to start watching the detectives.

[@evelanpatton]

@@classicdetectiveElvis? 🎶🖤🎶

[@thurayya8905]

Thank you for this story! Confusing? Not a bit. Very atmospheric. I love being alone. People are fine, but living with others is very draining. Please have a 🎄Merry Christmas🎄 and a 🎉 Happy New Year 🎉

[@classicdetective]

Merry Christmas 🎅

[@janetrocha3584]

Thank you!

[@LucicPower]

I had been reading a Seabury Quinn compilation before learning Tony had this channel. Hope it brings in more listeners as Horror and Detective are the best genres

[@classicdetective]

It seems to be growing

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

This… was awesome. Loved her.

[@jennifercoralie9158]

Simenon is a wonderful writer. His stories never date, and this is a prime example. It could have been written today.

[@kathleenellenford4816]

❣️thank you.. Simenon always is rewarding, whether book, film or audiobook. indeed a . premier prose writer .. 9 star.. gave up on good reads long ago.. Penguin editor is on point!! Slightly Foxed is marvelous!

[@debra333]

Merry Christmas, dear Tony. I thought this was a fascinating story, and deeply appreciate all the thoughtful analysis you put into your work. ❤

[@lynnhardaker5466]

I wasn't familiar with his non-Maigret stories. This one was touching and charming; I'll be on the lookout for more. Thanks! Merry Christmas to you, Sheila, and the pups.

[@jordsupp]

Inspector Lorgnon! That was an unexpected treat.

[@terigunderson5905]

Thanks!

[@classicdetective]

thank you very much !

[@vickijoseph2731]

Love your narration! Wonderful voice. Your French is stunning! Not like any detective story I'm used to! Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@classicdetective]

i think we may wander from strictly detective stories 🕵️ but not too far

[@dshe8637]

What a great story. A classic anti-detective story in so many ways. (Spoilers) There is a shooting without a murderer; there's no anonymous female victim; there's a police inspector who understands his city and a hero who saves the day by getting drunk and starting a catfight brawl that nobody wins. I can hardly believe it was written by a man, to be honest. The empathy for these people is remarkably free of judgement. Thank you for reading it for us x

[@evelanpatton]

I ❤ George Simeon’s writing he was INCREDIBLY PROLIFIC! His stories always empathic, without being pathetic, & a slight apathetic overview, yet STILL a sincere agreed understanding that both the criminal & the police exist & DON’T need to be examples of abuses of power if the police do a good job of policing (not a criminal themselves of power abusing) & the criminals are treated with a deep understanding of what it is to be human in HUMANITY as a JUST enforcer. It’s VERY FRENCH! And La ce fair about sexuality in ALL its presentations.

[@jodironey9814]

Enjoyed very much, could see it all in my mind!

[@classicdetective]

it’s a great story

[@michaelgreaves2375]

I enjoy your horror and your detective channels. But what I really enjoy are the stories that cross genres with paranormal detective tales. Your narration is is uniquely suited to it.

[@classicdetective]

Ha ha! i feel another channel coming on

[@michaelgreaves2375]

@@classicdetective YES!!!

[@Paul_W.E_Ingham]

"Inspector Hard Done By" features in a Magriet novel where he is shot while trying to solve a breakthrough case, and the Chief Inspector has to find out why.

[@classicdetective]

I think I will do another Simenon soon as I really rate him

[@veronicamaria2730]

Thank you, Merry Christmas 🎄

[@classicdetective]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@lcarole3131]

O,Holy Night!🤓 Outstanding_ glad i gave it a listen

[@classicdetective]

It’s a beat story

[@ritamartin4782]

Loved the Maigret!

[@classicdetective]

it was a great story

[@otempora5799]

Merry Christmas! Intriguing, understated Christmas story about profound existential questions. Discovered Slightly Foxed not long ago - it’s one of the best literary publications out there!

[@evelanpatton]

Is “Slightly Foxed” a shorty story or a novel or a magazine. (?)please, thank you.(?)

[@otempora5799]

@@evelanpatton it’s a literary quarterly, with excellent and thoughtful articles about older books and classic literature.

[@danjsy]

Merry Christmas, thank you 👍

[@classicdetective]

Same to you!

[@user-zn7of3bd6o]

Thank you so much 😊. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 🎉2024

[@classicdetective]

Same to you! merry christmas and happy new year 🥳

[@angelariley.9963]

I much prefer your narration.

[@roelienpostma2367]

Who is the painter of the picture?

[@evelanpatton]

I think it’s AI based on what inputs Tony Walker plugs into “the machine” for AI to amalgamate www images into a new translation via “fair use”. Tony’s getting pretty good at utilizing the program for his unique channel image. 😊