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funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Read this book for a college class on detective narratives. I had seene the movie with Humphrey Bogart like 5 years prior so I knew the main story and the broad strokes since that film was pretty close to the book.
Its an excellent read, definitely a staple of hard boiled detective fiction. Obviously theres going to be some elements that didn’t age well. Sexism and racism for the most part. Sam Spade is weirdly very physically affectionate towards the women in the story, who all love him for some reason, but in a disrespectful way. Its clear he cares but in a very patronizing way like they arent smart enough to keep up with him. idk its weird lol.
I would reccommend the Bogart version of the film, bc its a hallmark of the detective genre and has stunning cinematography but the book is still a good time.
Its an excellent read, definitely a staple of hard boiled detective fiction. Obviously theres going to be some elements that didn’t age well. Sexism and racism for the most part. Sam Spade is weirdly very physically affectionate towards the women in the story, who all love him for some reason, but in a disrespectful way. Its clear he cares but in a very patronizing way like they arent smart enough to keep up with him. idk its weird lol.
I would reccommend the Bogart version of the film, bc its a hallmark of the detective genre and has stunning cinematography but the book is still a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Police brutality, Stalking, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Its from the 30s so typical drinking habits/casual alcoholism and smoking.
It’s black and white so while there is blood its not red, if that distinction changes anything. It will only be really visible as a stains, bloody knuckles, or cuts/scrapes. Typical of film at the time
Technically Spade (protag) is sexually harassing the women in the book by being overly physical with them (pulling them in by the waist while he’s seated, kissing, etc. its weird). The one he isnt in a relationship with it doesnt go much further than that, but the one he is in a situationship with, he’s very rough with her. To get info from her and when just making out/fade to black.
One of the male characters is sometimes seen as feminine, and theres a few comments thrown around. I can’t remember if it was more direct about it or not, so take caution.
Films at this time had restrictions on showing violence and murder, in addition to not having developed a lot of practical effects yet so the gun violence is not going to be graphic, and theres not much if any blood.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I first became familiar with the story of The Maltese Falcon from the classic film noir. The main character Sam Spade is the prototypical private detective, quick thinking and outmaneuvering and deceiving the other characters and readers/listeners along the way. The actual production I listened to was the BBC radio play adaptation, but since I couldn’t find on StoryGraph, I am tracking with this title instead.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Murder
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Murder
Minor: Violence
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
This is hell on anyone autistic or from a different culture (and and the future is a different country). It's so visual and there's no explicit interiority. It's all dialogue and descriptions. Like, what do the clothes descriptions imply? Formality, tedium, sex appeal, time wasting? And the fatale is so annoying. Drop the coy act already? My favorite character is the secretary and I don't know what she sees in the client, plus she still has to deal with the gender dynamic & assault from her boss.
WHAT DOES ARTOISE MEAN!?
WHAT DOES ARTOISE MEAN!?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Gaslighting
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Murder
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Violence, Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, Grief, Gaslighting
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder