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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
They say some people are Dashiell Hammett people, and others are Raymond Chandler people. I guess I'm a Raymond Chandler person. This wasn't bad by any means, but I found that I had to make myself continue reading it, so here we are. Still, cornerstone of noir, so worth reading if you're into the hardboiled detective genre!
The tropes of the hard-boiled detective novel are so well-known in popular culture, that reading the original version feels like experiencing the genesis of a lot of cliches. I couldn't read this without seeing and hearing Bogey muttering the clunky, tough guy dialogue. There is also a noxious dose of misogyny, as every woman (including the long-suffering secretary, Effie), is portrayed as a paramour for the handsy Sam Spade.
Most problematic is the Irish temptress Brigid O'Shaughnessy, a damsel in distress who morphs into a femme fatale - an absurd character arc, if you really think about it. There are a couple of gratuitous scenes of naked or scantily clad women at the mercy of Spade's ministrations. Barely elevated pulp fiction, but influential enough, I guess, to warrant reading if you really want to know where detective noir originated. If you want classic mystery without feeling like you are reading a bad movie script, Poe and Doyle are much better than this slop.
Most problematic is the Irish temptress Brigid O'Shaughnessy, a damsel in distress who morphs into a femme fatale - an absurd character arc, if you really think about it. There are a couple of gratuitous scenes of naked or scantily clad women at the mercy of Spade's ministrations. Barely elevated pulp fiction, but influential enough, I guess, to warrant reading if you really want to know where detective noir originated. If you want classic mystery without feeling like you are reading a bad movie script, Poe and Doyle are much better than this slop.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So good. The writing style is apropos of the time & creates the noir feeling of fast-action, danger, and strength. The wry humor of Sam Spade (along with the events) is both affable & contrarian. What a great story. A good reminder to stay on the balls of your feet, play your cards strategically, keep your priorities straight, and never ever be the sap for anyone.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another nostalgic re-read of a classic noir/pulp tale that my father first encouraged me to read when I was a kid. Still love it!
November 2024 was a perfect month to read some classic noir. Great distraction from the dumpster fire that is our country, and also -- the cinematic writing is pretty fabulous. (And then, yes, I watched the movie.)
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There's a lot of side characters but it's all about Sam Spade, detective. 1939. One needs to keep that year in mind when reading the book. The women are either clingy, weak, clueless, or treacherous....but then so are some of the men. LOL . Just read this while envisioning Bogart as Spade and you'll enjoy it.