I wasn't really aware of non-Maigret Simenon either (I don't
know if they are available as cds, but BBC radio has done
some cracking Maigrets over the years) and on the what are
you reading front, I've not long since finished Derek
Raymond's posthumous Nightmare in the Streets (Serpant's
Tail), which, I am sorry to say was greatly disappointing. It
had the requisite Raymond style, some nice scenes, and
lashings and lashings of existential gloom, but felt very
underdeveloped, particularly as a crime novel and the
Parisian setting was pretty much non-existent. The copy I
have says the novel has been published from a typescript, but
I see from other websites that the novel has been published
before in France. I gather Raymond was probably treated more
seriously as an 'artist' in France (I'm pretty sure he won a
literary medal there) and I'm wondering if Nightmare perhaps
fits better into a French tradition/style
- it was basically one man and his thoughts. If anyone can
enlighten me I'd be most grateful.
On recent reads, I've had something akin to reading
block for around three years now (it's horrible, believe you
me), which I'm sure is related to depression/addiction thangs
I've been battling - and the medication to treat them. I just
can't concentrate. So, I'm trying short strories and
discovered a Raymond Chandler collection - Pearls Are A
Nuisance. The title story is the first Chandler I've read and
not really cared for - it's the drunkest story I've ever read
with bottles and bottles of the hard stuff flying around and
features
a supremely annoying protaganist in Walter Gage - an
amateur investigating the theft of some pearls from his
girlfriend's employer. (the rest of the collection is much,
much better).
Oh, and if anyone can cure readers' block, send the
tablets here please.
All the best,
Colin
Join my Church:
www.myspace.com/thereverendspadgedooley
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