A review by cherub__
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

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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