Georges Simenon’s birthday, a celebration in translation
The Book Office is delighted to celebrate Georges Simenon’s 115th birthday today!
(Wait, are we a day too early? It seems that the Belgian writer Georges Simenon might have been born on a Friday February 13th 1903, but that his superstitious mother preferred to declare him on the 12th...)
Georges Simenon certainly marked the French-speaking literary world, through his enormous collection of works: 192 novels, 158 short stories and 27 pseudonyms - he does sound like a man of records. Simenon is particularly well-known for having invented Inspector Maigret, who made it to 75 novels and 28 short stories. Far from being a quantitative achievement, it is first and foremost for the quality of his writing that Simenon has been praised. André Gide described him as a genius. Georges Simenon is the most translated Belgian author ever, and his readers know why: beyond a simple plot, the stories introduce strong characters, remarkable settings and, of course, Maigret himself – an engaging hero, full of humanity.
Five years ago, Penguin Classics set a new challenge: translating his detective novels anew. Today, the task is well underway: 59 novels are available on their website, translated by Linda Coverdale, David Coward, David Watson and Ros Schwartz, among others.
Ros Schwartz tells us more about the fascinating work of translation which she has undertaken, its difficulties and surprises, and her love for the author’s work:
... what is brilliant is the variety and range of his storylines and settings. His descriptions
of place are what mark him out for me as unique. He can conjure up a town, its atmosphere,
mood and people in a single paragraph. You can see it, hear it, smell it and taste the air.
Ros Schwartz just completed her 13th translated Maigret (Maigret in Court, coming out in May this year), and we can’t wait to read the rest!
Among the numerous available Maigret novels, beautifully covered with photographs by the Belgian Magnum photographer Harry Gruyaert, you will find:
Signed, Picpus (2015) #23, translation: David Coward
Maigret Gets Angry (2015) #26, translation: Ros Schwartz
Maigret at the Coroner’s (2016) #32, translation: Linda Coverdale
Maigret’s First Case (2016) #30, translation: Ros Schwartz
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