Reading List - L'homme à l'envers

Book came in the mail today! Tip from Euro Crime. Can't wait to read it after L'homme aux cercles bleus.

From Daily Meanderings

TV - Maigret en Finlande

Not bad. A French criminal sociologist's the leading suspect in a murder while visiting Finland, and he insists on having a French policeman as an advocate. The lead Finnish investigator asks for Maigret, whom he's worked with before. Amusing study of approaches between the 'useless' academic who's studying the murder logistics, the provincial Finnish superintendent who just wants a clean and fast wrap-up, and of course, Maigret, who wants to know the actual culprit.

Besides the pain-in-the-ass main suspect, seems that almost everyone had a reason for wanting to bump the guy off, as he'd slept with most of the women in the town, and was planning on running off with his latest. Was also the navigator for the local smuggling operations. But it's the sister-in-law who offs him because he told her he was leaving and he'd only been sleeping with her out of pity since her deformity after an old accident. Gee.

TV - Maigret et L'Affaire Saint-Fiacre

Billed in English as "Maigret goes home". Of the series, this was the most enjoyable for me, but that's not saying much. Really watch this just to exercise my French. Never really got enthusiastic about this detective, although these guys are usually right up my alley.

Spoiler: Former employer dies in church exactly at the time stated in a threatening note sent to her. It's the son of the current steward who had an affair with her and was cast aside after she finished.

Hey! This just popped into mind: some time ago, a weird uber-fan (ran a Maigret forum) commenting on behalf of all French people (but my buddy Pierre declines inclusion) blasted me for being 'superficial' simply for saying nothing about the TV show except for some woman's appearance and wondering about French standards of beauty. Then went off on several long rants on all Americans caring about boob jobs and huge lips, but how much more superior the French were cause THEY didn't care about such things. Who said we all cared? Talk about being superficial! No generalizing about us, was there. How pathetic was that? Besides, how serious can a blog on FLOWERS and CATS be?! (Serious stuff's on my other blogs.) OMFG, it was so bizarre and funny I still remember it.

TV - Les Vacances de Maigret

Really liked this one, pretty good. While visiting his in-laws in Belgium, wifey gets ill and ends up in hospital. While there, a mysterious patient, along with a slipped note in Maigret's pocket piques his interest. Sordid tale of doctor, who tried to kill sister-in-law, kills little red-haired girl, and imprisons wife. Maigret steps on everyone's toes while 'not' investigating. Hilarious.

So annoyed the ending was cut off, just as Maigret's turning the screws on the good doctor.

TV - Maigret: La Vente à La Bougie

Was I not in the mood? French references we didn't get? Hubby even wanted to watch this with me, mostly to keep me company while we were mourning our boy.

Whatever. This one just plain sucked. Incredibly boring, thin story that was just repetitive. Maigret's in town to check out an "ex-con" now managing a small hotel. Meanwhile there's a candle auction to sell some old lady's house that has a story of hidden treasure in it. Guy gets stabbed to death in bed, all the guests become suspects. Another guy dies. Maigret still investigates even while sick in bed. Turns out to be the 2 cousins.

Movie - L'Homme du Train

Another excellent movie for our Thanksgiving movie marathons. A leisurely paced character observation. The developing relationship between the gentleman retired teacher Manesquier and the bank robber Milan is mesmerizing. It was an excellent reflection on that 'road not taken'. The understated performances of both actors really emphasized the scenes and highlighted the dialogue in a way an overwrought performance couldn't have.

One evocative scene was the two of them quietly sharing a meal, and Manesquier asks Milan if he's really going to rob the bank that day (yup), then expresses his wish and disappointment that he can't participate cause he really can't reschedule his appointment. All delivered in a matter-of-fact, typical conversational tone.

TV - Maigret Se Trompe

Second viewing. Better. Don't get that whole blind devotion thing to one guy that some women have, so I wasn't particularly sympathetic.

Louise Filon is found shot in her apartment. Her sugar daddy happens to live upstairs with his wife. But the boyfriend is the prime suspect, and he's on the lam. Maigret unravels the bizarre and sordid story of one Étienne Gouin, the doctor/sugar daddy, who seems to have screwed and commanded extraordinary sacrifice and loyalty from all the women around him.

TV - Maigret se Trompe

Wasn't paying attention much, so missed a bit. Still, didn't get this episode at all. Saved it, probably watch again.

TV - Maigret Se Défend

Maigret answers a late night phone call at his home, goes out to help the caller, and ends up getting accused of raping a young girl who happens to be the daughter of a VIP. He goes after a disabled crook and his wifey whom he's had 24/7 surveillance on, and is convinced are behind the framejob. Turns out it's the dentist across the street who's doing illegal abortions and thought the cops were investigating him, so he figured getting Maigret out of the way would derail it.

Giant plot hole - the dentist made no sense at all. Why would removing Maigret stop the investigation? Anyway, still an entertaining show.

TV - Maigret: Cécile est morte

Finally, a very good episode! Great tight story. Good twists but not contrived, and Dandurand was just perfect.

TV - Maigret et Le Corps sans Tête

Mehhhh. Hmmmm.

Really tedious and predictable story, but redeemed somewhat by Cremer's & the woman's performances. Really interesting to watch his fascination for the story and the woman he's trying to unravel, great performance. The woman was one of the few I've liked out of this series so far. Still wasn't enough to stop me napping thru part of it.

TV - Maigret et Les Témoins Récalcitrants

This was a pretty good episode, although it was so obvious who killed the guy. Guess the redhead was supposed to be really pretty, obviously kinda ignorant of French standards of beauty. But definitely worth watching, for a good commentary on class snobbery.

French and Yardwork

Since I wrote down about the practice slack-off yesterday, I remembered it today. Got 2 French lessons in. Not only that, I did some yard work today! Got the right side hedges trimmed, and part of one of the front hedges done.

REALLY gusty tonight, like shaking the house and slamming against the windows. Still waiting for that Pride and Prejudice DVD, a Prime Suspect came in. Caught the rest of it on YouTube, but still want to see it on bigger screen. Caught the latest Persuasion too, liked it a lot.

Having a very good hair day today.

Book - Stupeur et Tremblements

Very cool, just got my copy in the mail. Wanted to read something light, nothing taxing on my French abilities (or lack thereof). Have an English translation too to help matters along.

Closet Planning, Etc.

After a shitty market day, nothing better than a propeller-purring orange furrball curled in your lap, using your hand for a pillow as you slog through the next tedious task of designing organizers for 4 closets. Mozart’s decided I really only need one hand on the computer. Have to stop myself chuckling when he snores and sighs away. The only one with funnier sleeping sounds is Pixie, with a repertoire of loud grunts, snorts and looong drawn out sighs.

2 hrs later: finally made closet designs I’m happy with, and easy enough to get from Home Depot. Now just Hubby’s closet left to go. God, I am SO looking forward to having all my stuff neat and organized! No more digging through precariously teetering piles of clothing. Of course, now I have to sort crap that’s probably really out of date. And I’ve already seen stuff that I wondered, “What the hell was I thinking when I bought *this*?!”

Only did 1 lesson each of French and Spanish, but still good. *Love* French in Action and Destinos. Saw them years ago on KCSM (they’re always on), and watched a few occasionally. Then, in January, caught the first episodes, and thought, why not? It’s entirely different starting from the beginning than the middle, and once I got the method, I was hooked. It’s elementary, and they’re speaking really slowly, but it’s perfect for practicing accents. Hilarious: I could read books and write book reports, but butchered it speaking! I love Professeur Capretz, and "Raquel"'s good. My accent’s improved a lot. Typed up complete transcripts while watching, and have been faithfully doing the lessons every day. Really proud of myself.

Second spray on the cyms and catts in the war on scale. Dunno if it's working. Some cym spikes coming up, very cool.

Well, back again after feeding the kitties. Had the usual Circle of Death around me, complete with a threat from Mozart that I wasn’t providing dinner fast enough. He licks my bare skin, then nips it. We joke that if we died and the kitties were hungry, they’d eat us. But it’s true, and they’d eat me first. Nature - there you have it. LMAO.