In May 1978 Marie-Jo, Georges Simenon’s much loved daughter, committed suicide. It was a tragedy which prompted him, two years later, to write his autobiography, partly as a memorial to her. It is a revealing account of his life. Born in Liege in 1903, the son of a poor clerk, he eked out a living as a journalist until his stories and novels became successful. He wanted to see everything, try everything, and so travelled widely, particularly in America, before eventually settling in Switzerland. The experiences of his wanderings have been used to brilliant effect in his writings. But, as he himself acknowledges, it was the homely character of Maigret who brought him the most fame, and it was thanks to him that he ceased being an amateur writer and became a novelist. Well-known for his frankness about his personal life, he discusses freely his relationships with his first wife, Tigy (they were divorced in 1950), his second wife, D., the mother of Marie-Jo, and many other women. He is devoted to his children and describes his fascination in watching them grow up and develop their own personalities. He delights in sharing with the reader his intense curiosity in everything around him and his tremendous enjoyment of all that life has to offer. One of the twentieth century's most famous and widely read novelists has written a memoir that is as absorbing and readable as any of his novels.