Interesting that you don't mention classical crime writers. I grew up reading Georges Simenon. His books were all over the house. He was one of my dad's all-time favorites. I never thought of "lessons in writing" when I read him. Now, thinking back, what I recall (and must have been an unconscious influence) are the simplicity of the language (French writers can be ornate, lol) and the atmosphere suggested with an economy of words, a short description, an attitude. I read an English translation of one of his books recently and it felt stilted - something definitely went "missing in translation".
Interesting that you don't mention classical crime writers. I grew up reading Georges Simenon. His books were all over the house. He was one of my dad's all-time favorites. I never thought of "lessons in writing" when I read him. Now, thinking back, what I recall (and must have been an unconscious influence) are the simplicity of the language (French writers can be ornate, lol) and the atmosphere suggested with an economy of words, a short description, an attitude. I read an English translation of one of his books recently and it felt stilted - something definitely went "missing in translation".