There were a few discussions on R-A about prominent HB French
writers. You could probably find them back in the web
archives of R-A by its search facilities.
I list some of them hereunder not knowing what is the present
state of published translations (but do not forget UK
editions in your research):
Leo Malet- one of the founders of French HB novel, especially
those with his French PI Nestor Burma, preferably from his
series 'The New Mysteries of Paris'- some were translated-
the best one: Mist on Tolbiac Bridge.
Patrick Manchette: the best French modern writer (from the
70's onward)-
Jose Giovanni: creator of some of the best characters, mostly
French mobsters or underworld people - a lot of his novels
were adapted for cinema into brilliant French Noir films. I
do not think he is available in English for the time being
(?)
Daniel Pennac: one of the very good contemporary writers-
some of his novels were translated, under which "La
f饠carabine" (sorry, I did not find back the English title)
one of his bests. Dark, surrealistic and full of black
humor.
Didier Daenninckx: a good writer but overvalued
(IMHO)- uses of a lot of political French problems as
backgrounds for his novels
Others already cited Izzo, and I agree to say that only his
first one "Total Kh鯰s" is really HB , close to masterpiece. I
do not think it's translated.
To answer a previous message: No, Maigret is definitely not
HB… and only very marginally Noir (grey in fact, as already
discussed a few monthe ago) The real Noir literature of
Georges Simenon is to be found in his "tough novels" as he
qualified them starting with 'Stains on the Snow', a
masterpiece.
There are a lot more top French HB/Noir writers since the
fifties, never translated in English and totally unknown
outside Europe. I already expressed my view on this in RA ,
believing that the American reader is denied to access one of
the more vivid and original branch of the modern Noir
literature by the indifference of the publishers. In fact
HB/Noir flourished in several countries, besides the UK, with
local ingredients and different approaches (starting with
France) and this is the best proof of its universalism…and
also that it overrode the simple status of regional
literature (status that a some contemporary comments still
try to prove!).
E.Borgers Hard-Boiled Mysteries http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
.
--- Stewart Wilson <
stewart@stewartwilson.com> wrote:
> I want recommendations for French HB, in
> non-translated
> editions, if possible, still in print.
>
> Looking through the archives, I could only
find
> mention
> in the context of translations and slang usage,
but
> I am
> really looking for personal
recommendations.
>
> What's good? Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks!
> --Stewart
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