Kees Popinga, a respectable Dutch clerk, finds his life turned upside down when he discovers his boss has bankrupted their shipping firm. Overcome by a dark impulse, he steals the company’s money and boards a night train to Paris, leaving behind his family and respectable life. As he navigates this new world of recklessness and violence, Kees encounters a mysterious woman who challenges his understanding of himself and his capabilities. “The Man Who Watched the Trains Go By” is a gripping exploration of identity and the thin line between sanity and madness.

Why You Should Read?

• • Delves into the psychological depths of a man’s breakdown and transformation.
  • Offers a chilling portrayal of the allure and danger of escaping one’s life.
  • Explores themes of identity, morality, and the human capacity for change.
  • A classic by Georges Simenon, known for his masterful blend of reality and fiction.