#Paris in July: The Occupation Trilogy by Patrick Modiano (1968-72)

This July as we celebrate all things French, here's a description of another July in Paris: July is the fireworks season. A whole world, on the brink of extinction, was sending up one last flurry of sparks beneath the foliage and the paper lanterns. People jostled each other, they spoke in loud voices, laughed, pinched …

#1940 Club: Jean Villemeur (Troubled Waters) by Roger Vercel

Captain Villemeur is a troubled man. He and his wife, Helene, have tried to give their son, Jean, a college education because they want him to become a gentleman and hold a good office job rather than piloting a deep-sea trawler as the captain does. However, the eighteen year old Jean is now insisting that …

(Impossible) Crime in Translation: The Seventh Guest by Gaston Boca (1935)

Then a dispute arose between d’Arlon, his wife, and Émile. There were six of us, including Émile, who were supposed to share the table. But seven settings had been laid.Émile claimed he had taken the number of place settings prepared by his mistress. She claimed to have laid out the correct number. According to John …

In Translation: Three Novels

This year, I read only three books in translation. THE DOGS AND THE WOLVES (LES CHIENS ET LES LOUPS) by IRENE NEMIROVSKY (1940) Ada Sinner, from the wrong side of the fence, has a glimpse of her wealthy cousin, Harry and falls in love with him. This is no childhood infatuation because even in her …

Tuesday Night Bloggers: The Sixth Simenon Omnibus

Georges Simenon, was a prolific Belgian author, most famous for his fictional commissaire of Paris' Brigade Criminelle, Jules Maigret. However, he also wrote many books which did not feature Maigret.The Sixth Simenon Omnibus contains three novels which discuss the role that sex has in people's lives - whether as a way of exhibiting their power …

First Read: Ninety Three by Victor Hugo

Last year, I had challenged myself to read 2 books by Victor Hugo: Les Miserables andNinety Three. While I was able to read the first one, I couldn't quite manage the second one. This year, I was determined that it be the first read of the year for me and I am glad that it …

French Bingo 2016

In 2015, I couldn't finish the French Bingo Reading Challenge hosted @ Words and Peace. But this year I am determined to do so. Here are the details if you would like to join too.

Challenge Complete: Books on France: Wrap-Up and Sign-Up

I am glad to have successfully completed the Books on France 2014 Reading Challenge hosted @Words and Peace. I had to read 3 books, I have done one better, having read four books. Two of the books are in English, one in German, and one in French.Here are the books read:The Fourth Door by Paul …

Challenge Complete: Books on France

I feel a great sense of accomplishment having successfully completed the BOOKS ON FRANCE challenge hosted @ Words and Peace. It is always easier for me to read fiction rather than non-fiction and so I am glad that I read not one but two Non-fiction books for this challenge. Frantz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth is a classic …

Forgotten Book: Maigret Loses His Temper by Georges Simenon

Jules Maigret is the creation of Belgian writer, Georges Simenon, who made his first appearance in Pietr-le-Leton. Between 1931 and 1972, he appeared in some 100 odd novels and short stories. He has also made numerous appearances on both big and small screens. Despite such a prolific career, I had not heard of him till …