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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
After a second reading of this book years later I still can say this is one of my favorite books. The first time I read this I was in high school and just starting to find my true love of reading. Since taste in literature was limited and I really only read two authors, my Dad recommended this to me. I had nothing else to read and it would be months before I had a new book so I gave it a try. Sam Spade is my favorite type of detective. The whole Noir style novel is one of my favorite types. Spade gets the job done but maybe not by the best of methods which makes for an interesting story. Some of the characters are a bit cheesy but considering how old this book is I can understand.
This is just a fun read for Mystery lovers. It is shorter than most of the books I have read recently but it is fun to escape into this book from time to time. It has been over a decade since I read it the first time but it still holds a special place on my book shelf.
This is just a fun read for Mystery lovers. It is shorter than most of the books I have read recently but it is fun to escape into this book from time to time. It has been over a decade since I read it the first time but it still holds a special place on my book shelf.
This was such a fun book! And having never seen the movie, I enjoyed watching it this evening after finishing the book. The ending was a surprise, as all good detective novels should be, and the audible narrator was incredible! As I listened to the book I could picture a fantastic black and white movie playing in my imagination.
This isn't usually my cup of tea (I'm a fan of the Poirot school of detecting) but a change can be nice and I was curious to read this classic tale. Sharp, snappy dialogue, an admirable intent to not over explain, some significantly outdated misogyny, racism, homophobia and sexism, brisk and lean. There are pros and cons here but ultimately it's an interesting tale and has a satisfying ending, proving you can wrap things up without explaining everything. I'm not sure I like the world they inhabit and think I'll stick with my preferred detective fiction, but it was an interesting read.
A detective. A mystery. A dead partner. Sam Spade must unravel everything before time runs out or gets killed.
A gripping novel. A classic in noir detective stories but I found it lack but I understand the draw.
A gripping novel. A classic in noir detective stories but I found it lack but I understand the draw.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the most iconic noir novels.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
Well written book, but unfortunately I am just not a fan of the hard boiled detective novel. Not to mention that there’s just a tad too much sexism in there for me.
This is probably the book after which all private detective books/movies are modeled after. I enjoyed the change from something I’d normally pick up.
As someone that has never seen the film, I wasn’t entirely sure what this book was about. A smoke filled noir mystery full of liars and betrayals is what I got and I enjoyed every bit of it. I might even consider reading Hammett’s other novels.