1. jazzman

    jazzman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2010
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Halifax, UK

    a french detective

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by jazzman, Aug 28, 2011.

    gday all, toying with the name of a french detective and ive settled on two names, just want your feelings on them and which one you prefer etc
    Felix Moreau
    Felix Cocteau
    Am writing a detective novel set in england before WW2 and without going into much detail, the murders are similiar to those committed in France during the decadence of 1920's paris....
    The character thinks of himself as a bit of a ladies man, well educated and likes the high life....he also has the annoying habit of quoting Rimbauld and Baudelaire
     
  2. StrangerWithNoName

    StrangerWithNoName Longobard duke

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Messages:
    351
    Likes Received:
    8
    Location:
    the waste lands, somewhere in Europe
    I'd go for something like Deveraoux, it feels less "stock character" to me, and please, avoid the typical french stereotypes as well! Stereotyping is always bad IMO.

    For what I know about the french cousins, they always had a great sense of the State (la grand nation) and their civil servants are bred in special schools where they're taught to serve the Government and France above all, so they take their job very seriously and they won't womanize or quoting decadent poets who were considered, especially between the two wars the reason of the weakening of the French spirit at the end of the Second Empire and during the Third Republic.
     
  3. GreenRain

    GreenRain New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2011
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Hemet, CA
    And yet, if set during the Victorian Era or the so called Age of Reason, such a character might be in keeping with historic reality.
     
  4. StrangerWithNoName

    StrangerWithNoName Longobard duke

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Messages:
    351
    Likes Received:
    8
    Location:
    the waste lands, somewhere in Europe
    Second Empire: 1852->1870
    Third Repubblic: 1870->1940

    So they cover what in England is called "Victorian Era".
     
  5. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    of the two, i'd go for 'moreau' since 'cocteau' is too connected with the renowned 'jean'...
     
  6. VM80

    VM80 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2010
    Messages:
    1,209
    Likes Received:
    46
    Moreau makes me think Dr Moreau...

    Perhaps look for something different/less well-known?
     
  7. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    is this 'flic' the sam spade type, or more an hercule poirot?
     
  8. Solar

    Solar Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2011
    Messages:
    980
    Likes Received:
    747
    I thought Poirot was Belgian
     
  9. TobiasJames

    TobiasJames New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    England
    French detective = Inspector Clouseau of "Pink Panther", and nothing you say in your book will ever get me to see a French detective differently.
     
  10. jazzman

    jazzman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2010
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Halifax, UK
    cheers everyone for their thoughts and opinions, might change it to Hugo Romilly :)
     
  11. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    yes, poirot was belgian... i didn't say he wasn't... and spade was american, so i thought it was clear i was only referring to tec types, not nationality...

    hugo romilly doesn't sound french at all, if that matters...
     
  12. Solar

    Solar Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2011
    Messages:
    980
    Likes Received:
    747
    lol

    oh right, never heard of sam spade.
     
  13. jazzman

    jazzman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2010
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Halifax, UK
    thanks for this guys and girls, much appreciated, so ive gone back to the drawing board, and this is what ive come up with
    Hugo Vernon
    Arnaud Benoit
    Simon Fornier
    thoughts, opinions, ideas.....please :)
     
  14. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    still need more info... do you want this guy to be macho, wimpy, super-brainy, or what?
     
  15. Solar

    Solar Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2011
    Messages:
    980
    Likes Received:
    747
    To add to mammamaia's comment:

    Is he from a privileged background? Or is he from a poor, working class family? etc etc
    These are the kinds of question that'll help you with the name.
     
  16. jazzman

    jazzman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2010
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Halifax, UK
    upper class definately but a black sheep of the family thus why he joined the police....
     
  17. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    jaques jourdan
    henri duplessis
    maurice archambeau
    antoine bevier
    claude de lange
    marcel gaillard
     
  18. jazzman

    jazzman Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2010
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Halifax, UK
    really liking the surname archambeau....what do you think about Blaise Archambeau?
     
  19. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    'blaise' sounds effeminate to me, for a flic... but if that fits your character, it does go well with the surname...
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice