The best short story ever written was Simenon's "The Man Behind the Looking Glass" ("La Cage d'Emile" or something in French), which appeared in the New Black Mask fifteen years ago or so. The story shows Simenon at his best (Jon Franzen should take lessons on how to create character, setting, and atmosphere-- to the nth degree-- in a phrase or word or two from Simenon). One always has a sense of place-- can see the bistros and taste the beers and sandwiches; and see the characters. The tale is about a battle of wits between a brainy detective and a beautiful jewel thief. Was there ever a sexier writer than Simenon? He knew the mind games played between men and women. The chase of the thief, by the deteective, is a metaphor for man chasing his ideal mate. Does he catch her? This writer in sophistication and knowledge of the world is so far beyond the feeble "literary" writers of today it's funny and sad at the same time. The short story would be read and ALIVE as an art form if we had stories like that around today. (Simenon was less able to handle the novel form-- beyond him to reach a higher level. Still, the best of all detective writers. His books are always alive.)
I'm reading The Strangers in the House, just out in an edition by NYRB Classics. It's one his psychological thrillers, not one of his mysteries. I actually like his novels - and King is right on about the sense of place he conveys.
Which one are you reading? I've yet to try one but I've got 'My Friend Maigret' out of the library at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThe best short story ever written was Simenon's "The Man Behind the Looking Glass" ("La Cage d'Emile" or something in French), which appeared in the New Black Mask fifteen years ago or so.
ReplyDeleteThe story shows Simenon at his best (Jon Franzen should take lessons on how to create character, setting, and atmosphere-- to the nth degree-- in a phrase or word or two from Simenon).
One always has a sense of place-- can see the bistros and taste the beers and sandwiches; and see the characters.
The tale is about a battle of wits between a brainy detective and a beautiful jewel thief. Was there ever a sexier writer than Simenon? He knew the mind games played between men and women.
The chase of the thief, by the deteective, is a metaphor for man chasing his ideal mate.
Does he catch her?
This writer in sophistication and knowledge of the world is so far beyond the feeble "literary" writers of today it's funny and sad at the same time.
The short story would be read and ALIVE as an art form if we had stories like that around today.
(Simenon was less able to handle the novel form-- beyond him to reach a higher level. Still, the best of all detective writers. His books are always alive.)
I'm reading The Strangers in the House, just out in an edition by NYRB Classics. It's one his psychological thrillers, not one of his mysteries. I actually like his novels - and King is right on about the sense of place he conveys.
ReplyDelete