Reviews

Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon, David Bellos

8797999's review

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3.0

My first time reading an Inspector Maigret novel and I have to say I quite enjoyed it. A very fun and enjoyable plot. Quite a short book but with over 70 books in the series, there will be a lot to enjoy.

I know there is a television adaptation featuring Rowan Atkinson as Maigret, that is the jarring thing for me, he seems polar opposite to how Maigret is physically described in the book.

For a first book it was a good start and I am sure I will be reading many more of these.

bstewaa's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

jmscwht's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

cinzia_2509's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

sanfordc11's review against another edition

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mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

cindanorberg's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

spy1729's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced

3.75

clarebear2218's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

nsfinch's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I think I would’ve liked this one better if I could’ve read it faster. It’s a slim little book, well under 200 pages! But I was really busy at the time I was reading it and had trouble sitting down and focusing on the book. 

I’m glad I read it for historical reasons, but I didn’t love the writing style. It’s hard to tell how much of that has to do with the translation, but I think I didn’t appreciate the melodramatic phrasing as much as I might have. It’s a police procedural incorporating the forensic science of the time, so that’s interesting. It also incorporates the racism of the time, so be forewarned about the descriptions of various ethnic groups.

davidkelly0324's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0