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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
As a classic and genre defining book, it feels harsh to rate it so low. I did genuinely like the book but a lot of my engagement was from seeing it as a piece of literature to study.
I loved the blunt descriptions with how forward they are, and the unreliable narrators, with also not noting whether the main character believes a story or not, but letting us the reader figure out instead.
I know there are some comments on how the women are written, and while it is a product of its time, I do think they are written very well. They fit into the roles they would have in that society but prove to be very resourceful and willful. Also for the time, heavy alluding queer characters is impressive, even if not great representations, though it should be noted they are still described from Spade’s opinions and he regards few well.
Overall I’d recommend if you’re giving this a read, have fun with the snappy dialogue, descriptions, and tone more than the plot or mystery.
I loved the blunt descriptions with how forward they are, and the unreliable narrators, with also not noting whether the main character believes a story or not, but letting us the reader figure out instead.
I know there are some comments on how the women are written, and while it is a product of its time, I do think they are written very well. They fit into the roles they would have in that society but prove to be very resourceful and willful. Also for the time, heavy alluding queer characters is impressive, even if not great representations, though it should be noted they are still described from Spade’s opinions and he regards few well.
Overall I’d recommend if you’re giving this a read, have fun with the snappy dialogue, descriptions, and tone more than the plot or mystery.
adventurous
dark
tense
I actually couldn't finish this completely because I didn't care for the writing at all and the main character was so annoying.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I dig tech-noir fiction, but it turns out that doesn't necessarily mean I dig true noir fiction. I wanted to like The Maltese Falcon, and there were a few moments that stood out for me, but on the whole it all seemed incredibly average. With such prescriptive description there wasn't room for my imagination to sink its teeth. I also felt like I was only observing the superficial, so I could never tell - for instance - whether Sam was stringing a girl along, or whether he was supposed to be actually feeling for her, or what. I guess it just wasn't my cup of tea.
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia