100% NZ-owned | All books ship from NZ 📚

The Snow Was Dirty

3.89 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 4,082 ratings, 561 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Snow Was Dirty by Georges Simenon delves into the life of a young man in an occupied city, exploring his descent into a morally ambiguous world amid war. As he seeks power and identity, he grapples with the cold, harsh realities around him, reflecting the darkness of both his environment and his own psyche. This novel paints a compelling picture of inner conflict and existential questioning.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2600
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks
Add to Wishlist

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by gritty, atmospheric narratives that delve into the human psyche and moral ambiguity. Set in the shadowy world of occupied Europe, this compelling tale explores themes of identity, power, and existential crisis through the experiences of a young protagonist navigating a bleak and corrupt environment. Fans of thought-provoking psychological fiction will find its intense storytelling and exploration of character particularly captivating.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Snow Was Dirty

Other translations published as: Dirty snow.

Georges Simenon's matchless novel is a brutal, compelling portrayal of a world without pity; a psychological no-man's land of the soul.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A new translation of Simenon's visceral, critically acclaimed classic.

And always the dirty snow, the heaps of snow that look rotten, with black patches and embedded garbage. The white powder that occasionally peels off from the crust of the sky in little clumps, like plaster from a ceiling, is unable to cover the filth.

Most people struggle to get by in a country under occupation, but Frank takes it easy in his mother's whorehouse. But Frank is restless and through the unrelenting darkness and cold of an endless winter, he will pursue abjection until at last there is nowhere to go.

In The Snow Was Dirty, Simenon maps a no man's land of the spirit in which human nature is driven to destruction—and redemption, perhaps, as well—by forces beyond its control.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

View all

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The book offers a brutal examination of a wartime collaborator's lack of morals, highlighted by Simenon's cold and ruthless writing style. It is considered modern and strikingly effective in its stark portrayal of sex and violence. The novel is praised as a masterpiece for its nihilistic themes but is redeemed by Simenon's compelling storytelling and insightful narrative voice. Recognised for its intense and pitiless depiction of human longing and cruelty, it showcases Simenon's skill at drawing readers into the depths of his characters.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241258569

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 November 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Howard Curtis
  • Translated by Howard Curtis

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 224g

Pages: 304

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

About the Author

Georges Simenon (Author) Georges Simenon was born in Li ge, Belgium, in 1903. He is best known in Britain as the author of the Maigret novels and his prolific output of over 400 novels and short stories have made him a household name in continental Europe. He died in 1989 in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he had lived for the latter part of his life.

Also by Georges Simenon

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 20,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Pick Ups

Auckland Pick Ups

We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

header_image
5.0
838 reviews
Bill H_image
1 day ago
Verified
Great service. Arrived very quickly. Totally recommend
Olaf Q_image
2 days ago
Verified
Great experience. Shipped within a few hours of my order and arrived the next day, packaged very securely. Thanks!
Lakin L_image
2 days ago
Verified
Fantastic service! Heaps of new release and older books on the website with competitive prices! Shipping is super fast and customer service is excellent! Can’t recommend highly enough
Diana H_image
3 days ago
Verified
Unbelievably quick!! Excellent communication and book arrived next day. Highly recommend :)
Margo K_image
3 days ago
Verified
Was delighted to find Book Hero after being alerted by a friend. My first order has just arrived speedily and efficiently. This is a great new venture and I wish Book Hero all the best and am telling all my bookish friends about the business. Margo Knightbridge
Show more
Ashleigh J_image
3 days ago
Verified
Love the selection of book choices, way too many to choose from. Also super fast delivery, my new favourite online book store 😍🥰