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valsplace's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sungmemoonstruck's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was stylish and satisfyingly snappy but also felt a little dated, especially in its portrayal of women besides the impossibly cool Nora and a few comments from Nick that I suspect came off as part of the cool touch guy act in the 1930's but just seem creepy now. I did really enjoy the lightning-fast banter between Nick and Nora, the blend of a twisty mystery with a screwy comedy of manners, and the New York noir atmosphere.
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
3.0
I'm glad I read this classic but have no desire to read anything else by the author. Although I was told that his other books aren't like The Thin Man in tone so maybe, someday, I'll be persuaded to try another.
I didn't have any idea who did it - and honestly couldn't have - until the very end, which was nice. But I also didn't like any characters, so that wasn't nice at all. Nora was the closest I came to liking someone and there really wasn't much more of her besides getting Nick drinks.
Between the shrewish women and the sexist men (yes, I know it's the cultural atmosphere of the time), I didn't like the book as much as I had hoped I would.
I didn't have any idea who did it - and honestly couldn't have - until the very end, which was nice. But I also didn't like any characters, so that wasn't nice at all. Nora was the closest I came to liking someone and there really wasn't much more of her besides getting Nick drinks.
Between the shrewish women and the sexist men (yes, I know it's the cultural atmosphere of the time), I didn't like the book as much as I had hoped I would.
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
5.0
Hammett gives with the dialogue...the short, choppy noir dialogue you would expect, full of hard-boiled slang. I loved it. It made me want to watch Miller's Crossing again, because I know the Coen brothers had to have read Hammett's stuff. I like that Nick and Nora crack jokes while dealing with murder and mayhem...there's just something cozy about it. A fun and short read.
oliviakoeppen's review against another edition
Could not finish - every page was a reminder of how much Dashiell Hammett seems to hate women
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook performed by William Dufris
Nick and Nora Charles are spending the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in New York. Having cocktails one evening they run across a young woman whose father once employed Nick as a detective. The girl hasn’t seen her father in quite a while and hopes that Nick can help, but he’s no longer in the detective business, so refers her to her father’s lawyer. The next day the lawyer, Herbert Macauley, calls on Nick and asks him if he’s working for the Wynant family. Seems that “screwy inventor” Clyde Wynant has gone missing and his wife and children are trying to find him. Nick assures him he’s not working ANY case, let alone this one. But a day later the newspapers report that Wynant’s secretary was found shot to death in her apartment. Wynant is the chief suspect … or is it his ex-wife Mimi … or his son Gil … or the thin man? No matter how hard he tries to stay out of it, Nick is embroiled in the case.
This is a delightful mystery and a sophisticated comedy of manners all in one. Nick and Nora are wonderful characters – calm and cool, rich and glamorous, full of wisecracks and martinis. I loved their witty banter and unflappable natures. The story is convoluted and full of red herrings. Hammett has the reader chasing just about every character as a suspect. The final reveal was a complete surprise to me, and only after Nick laid out the case did I understand all the clues.
William Dufris is marvelous performing the audio version. He has a gift for voices and really brings this large cast to life. He even does a good job of the young Dorothy Wynant (though her whiny voice irritated me that was the character as Hammett wrote her, not Dufris’ interpretation).
Nick and Nora Charles are spending the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in New York. Having cocktails one evening they run across a young woman whose father once employed Nick as a detective. The girl hasn’t seen her father in quite a while and hopes that Nick can help, but he’s no longer in the detective business, so refers her to her father’s lawyer. The next day the lawyer, Herbert Macauley, calls on Nick and asks him if he’s working for the Wynant family. Seems that “screwy inventor” Clyde Wynant has gone missing and his wife and children are trying to find him. Nick assures him he’s not working ANY case, let alone this one. But a day later the newspapers report that Wynant’s secretary was found shot to death in her apartment. Wynant is the chief suspect … or is it his ex-wife Mimi … or his son Gil … or the thin man? No matter how hard he tries to stay out of it, Nick is embroiled in the case.
This is a delightful mystery and a sophisticated comedy of manners all in one. Nick and Nora are wonderful characters – calm and cool, rich and glamorous, full of wisecracks and martinis. I loved their witty banter and unflappable natures. The story is convoluted and full of red herrings. Hammett has the reader chasing just about every character as a suspect. The final reveal was a complete surprise to me, and only after Nick laid out the case did I understand all the clues.
William Dufris is marvelous performing the audio version. He has a gift for voices and really brings this large cast to life. He even does a good job of the young Dorothy Wynant (though her whiny voice irritated me that was the character as Hammett wrote her, not Dufris’ interpretation).
designgeek54's review against another edition
2.0
The only time I have loved the movie more than the book.
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
5.0
Truly a classic. A quick read and so fun. You may want to shake up some martinis before you sit down with this.
carrvan3's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5