End of the first cycle

Completed what is perhaps my third reading of Maigret story called 'Maigret', otherwise reference 4. The last story of the first Maigret cycle. The first of three. Cycles which are mixed in with clumps of other stories involving characters with continuing lives, spanning more than one story. Very Trollopian and still a popular, easy read formula.

A story which is set just after Maigret's retirement, so another story where he sees things from the outside, rather than from the inside. While the previous story, 'L'Écluse No.1', is a story in which Maigret's antagonist knows that Maigret is going to retire in a few days, a fact which has been reported in the Paris newspapers - as well as to us, the readers. An antagonist from the working classes who has dragged himself to somewhere near the top of the canal cargo trade and who shares, I believe, a good deal with Simenon himself. Who, for example, rather takes advantage of his female servants. And who has something of a chip on his shoulder about people from the middle classes, born to comfort and money.

According to reference 1, I seem to have last read 'Maigret' in March of this year, so I must have been dipping, rather than working my way through. And search suggests at reference 2 that the time before that was around September 2016. Much more consistent with working my way through.

Maigret himself is not obviously very like Simenon. A public servant, not very well paid. He is happily married, in a quiet way, sorry not to have had children. Socialises with his colleagues and when on a case, but not much in his private life. On the other hand, he smokes his pipe a great deal and he spends a lot of time people watching, with Simenon being known to have done the first and it seems very likely that he did the second.

One thing that is missing from the Maigret stories is the trade and paraphernalia of writing. Of which I have noticed quite a bit in Dr. Zhivago of reference 3. Where there is quite a lot of talk about gloating over supplies of suitable paper, pens and ink. The writing table - but no typewriter that I have noticed. Giving the impression of a writer who does a lot of writing, with a spot of ritual giving support to the creative passion. I have read elsewhere that Simenon had his rituals. As I do too, in my own small way. As I use a computer, not rituals about pens and paper, more rituals about how I lay things out. The way I name the corresponding files on the computer and organise them into folders. My custom and practise regarding headings, footnotes, annexes and references. My very own house style, as it were. A style which, as an amateur, I allow to evolve and grow over the months. And I do have my version of a writing desk, at which I do nearly all my writing. I stand at it now.

PS: Conan Doyle was another successful writer who tried for early retirement for his creation, Sherlock Holmes. Maybe I will look up how long that lasted. Don't know about Agathe Christie: not heard of such a thing.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/03/not-maigret.html.

Reference 2: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2016/09/more-maigret.html.

Reference 3: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/11/dr-z-part-3-clerks.html.

Reference 4: Maigret - Simenon - 1933. Volume V of the collected works in the Rencontre edition. The rather good looking blue edition, in which the spines are apt to split away from the boards. A problem easily and inconspicuously fixed with Sellotape. Best to use the real thing rather than some imitation, just to be on the safe side.