The Pitards (Paperback)

Georges Simenon

ISBN 10: 0241325471 / ISBN 13: 9780241325476

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, London, 2019

About this Item

Paperback. A superb new translation by David Bellos of Simenon's haunting, rediscovered masterpieceAfter many years spent at sea, Captain Lannec finally manages to buy his own vessel, but not without the financial help of his in-laws, the Pitards. In return, his wife insists on accompanying him on the ship's first voyage and her presence on board makes him feel increasingly uneasy, especially after the threatening anonymous note he received before setting sail from Rouen.First published in 1935, The Pitards was one of the first novels Simenon wrote when he shelved his famous Maigret series in order to strike out in a new direction and make a name for himself as a literary writer rather than a creator of genre fiction. This captivating evocation of life at sea revolves around the claustrophobia of class snobbery and the tense unravelling of relationships conducted at close quarters, powerful themes that Simenon would return to throughout his writing career. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780241325476

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Pitards (Paperback)
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, London
• Publication Date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241325471
• ISBN 13: 9780241325476
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

''Read him at your peril, avoid him at your loss'' Sunday Times

Captain Lannec has finally managed to buy his own ship with the financial help of his in-laws, the Pitards - and they''ve never let him forget it. When his temperamental wife Mathilde insists on coming along on the ship''s first voyage, Lannec becomes increasingly unnerved by her presence, especially when he receives an anonymous note saying he won''t make it back to port. As they hit a storm in the Atlantic, jealousy, spite, snobbery and suspicion are churned up in the boat''s stiflingly close quarters...

First published in 1935, The Pitards was one of the first novels Simenon wrote when he shelved his famous Maigret series in order to strike out in a new direction and make a name for himself as a literary writer. This gripping evocation of life at sea revolves around class and the tense unravelling of relationships, powerful themes that Simenon would return to throughout his writing career.