Maigret and the Man on the Bench

One of the greatest writers of the twentieth century . . . Simenon was unequalled at making us look inside, though the ability was masked by his brilliance at absorbing us obsessively in his stories. - The Guardian (London) I love reading Simenon. He makes me think of Chekhov. -William Faulkner The greatest of all, the most genuine novelist we have had in literature. -André Gide A supreme writer . . . unforgettable vividness. - The Independent (London) Superb . . . the most addictive of writers . . . a unique teller of tales. - The Observer (London) Compelling, remorseless, brilliant. -John Gray A truly wonderful writer . . . marvellously readable-lucid, simple, absolutely in tune with the work he creates. -Muriel Spark A novelist who entered his fictional world as if he were a part of it. -Peter Ackroyd Extraordinary masterpieces of the twentieth century. -John Banville