Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - The Maltese Falcon

The mystery is good and compelling, and this is such an archetypal example of detective fiction that's its hard not to find it charming for that, the dialogue in particular. However, the characters are uniformly detestable for the most part, and even though other characters recognize that Spade is a bastard, it doesn't make it easier to swallow. My rating would be higher if it weren't for the way women are treated in the book. I know it's a factor of the time and the genre, but it just bummed me out ha ha. It's a fun crime, though, and well plotted! Moves at a good clip too!

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cherub__'s review

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mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Maltese Falcon is efficient. Hammett doesn't use three words when one will do, very little that is not explicitly necessary to the plot is described in any detail, dialogue is kept to a strict minimum until the very end, and descriptions of different characters are often repeated as though points were awarded for using the a smaller set of words. Oddly, the efficiency lends a force of personality to each character in a way more verbose descriptions did not; I found myself picturing the same word or phrase slightly differently each time due to the surrounding context, but each repetition burned the overall impression more clearly into my mind. I found the reveal at the end somewhat predictable, but my enjoyment of the climax was not lessened by it.

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kathrynhoss's review against another edition

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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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greatexpectations77's review against another edition

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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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