Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

5 reviews

zaqzaqzaq's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Police brutality, Gun violence, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny

Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexism, and Homophobia

mcc004's review against another edition

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Homophobia, Sexism, Gun violence, Misogyny, Fatphobia, and Violence

kathrynhoss's review against another edition

dark 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? Yes

2.5

Read this in preparation for writing my own 1920s noir detective novel and man did it age badly. A paragon of toxic masculinity to almost the point of satire. Sam Spade's need to physically and mentally best every man he comes in contact with is almost homoerotic. Of course he also manhandles every woman he comes in contact with, leaning on them and calling them "angel" while undercutting their intelligence. I feel like I understand the mindset of creepy old men now. This is a brutal and lonely way to live.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism

Moderate: Violence, Child abuse, Murder, and Racism

Minor: Sexual harassment

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

It was fun to read an author that was at the beginning of the super jerk detective novels that predated the whole film noir genre. But whew, were women just objects that could take a few calls for you and be available for you to harass. I probably won't read this author again, but I feel like I learned where the genre came from, and that's something. I'll see the movie. Also god is this man obsessed with writing about eyes. The writing style is definitely different than expected. I like more interiority to my characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Violence

Minor: Police brutality, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, and Racism

muffmacguff's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.0

I liked this well enough! I think the movie is a lot better so it was hard to get past that. Also Hammett’s descriptions of Spade are ridiculous. I’ve never met a person with yellow-gray eyes. Also, of course, deeply homophobic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Murder