The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By

By: Georges Simenon, Sian Renyolds - Translator

Narrated by: Mark Meadows

A brilliant new translation of one of Simenon's best loved masterpieces.

'A certain furtive, almost shameful emotion...disturbed him whenever he saw a train go by, a night train especially, its blinds drawn down on the mystery of its passengers.'

Kees Popinga is a respectable Dutch citizen and family man. Then he discovers that his boss has bankrupted the shipping firm he works for - and something snaps.

Kees used to watch the trains go by to exciting destinations. Now, on some dark impulse, he boards one at random and begins a new life of recklessness and violence. This chilling portrayal of a man who breaks from society and goes on the run asks who we are and what we are capable of.

©1953 Georges Simenon (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Classic Simenon...extraordinary in its evocative power." (Independent)

"What emerges is the bare human animal." (John Gray)

"Read him at your peril, avoid him at your loss." (Sunday Times)

Exceptional existential classic

Totally relatable angst of wanting that of which you know little. Been there. Done that. Worked out, with the grace of the universe.

the story

the reader had a calm voice, he pulled you into the story, made feelings of character seem real,