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Book Description
The greatest crime novel of the 20th century launches Orion¿s Crime Masterworks series
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
It's San Francisco, 1928, and Sam Spade is a wisecracking, womanizing Private Investigator. Missing husbands and unfaithful wives are his usual stock-in-trade, but when the beautifully distressed Miss Wonderley calls he gets involved in a dangerous caper most people would run a mile from. Miss Wonderley asks Sam's partner, Miles Archer, to shadow Floyd Thursby, whom she maintains has kidnapped her sister. But then Archer is shot dead, and Miss Wonderley's story turns out to be a lie - just like her name, which is actually Brigid O'Shaughnessy. And Miss O'Shaughnessy keeps on lying. But one thing's for sure: she does know about the Maltese Falcon, an ancient statuette which has attracted more than one interested party. With a bunch of heavies at his elbow and the police on his tail, Sam needs to think fast if he's to outlive the person who killed his partner...Tom Wilkinson, Jane Lapotaire, Peter Vaughan and Nickolas Grace star in this stylish dramatization of Dashiell Hammett's classic detective story.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although several of his novels have considerable merit, Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) will be best remembered for a single work: THE MALTESE FALCON.
Perhaps the single most extraordinary thing about the novel is its radical departure from the norm. In the 1920s and early 1930s, detective novels were not really considered "literary;" they were light entertainment, and they generally came in two varieties: pure pulp, which was more akin to action-adventure, and "the master detective" as created by such authors as Agatha Christie. In one fell swoop, however, Hammett not only fused these two ideas but also endowed his novel with tremendous literary style--more than enough to catch the eye of "serious" critics and more than enough to stand the test of time.
THE MALTESE FALCON is not a long novel, but Hammett packs a lot into it. The plot, which generally concerns the theft of a priceless, jewel-encrusted statue, walks a fine line between pulp mythology and modern pragmatism, never veering too far in either direction to seem impossible; the prose is lean and clean and packed with detail conveyed both simply and sharply; the characters stand out in a sort of high relief on the page. It is all memorable stuff.
It is difficult to discuss THE MALTESE FALCON without reference to the famous 1941 film version starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor. The film has been both a blessing and a curse, so famous that it has drawn thousands of readers to the novel, but so widely seen that it can become difficult to read the novel without seeing it through the lens of the film. But while the film presents the plot and much of Hammett's dialogue intact, readers will find the novel has somewhat different strengths--not the least of which is Hammett's prose itself. An essential of 20th Century American literature; strongly recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Format:Paperback
I have no doubt that this was an important trendsetter in its day and I can understand its appeal in that context. But reading it today it just does not seem to be either a good story or well-written. The plot is extremely far-fetched but most importantly, I found the dialogue to be childish. I guess it was intended to be witty but I felt it was more like a pantomime or stage farce. To be frank, I found the banter between Spade and the police officers just plain silly and the long discussions he had with all the plotters throughout the story almost equally so.
Overall, I found it interesting as a study of a classic rather than as a book to enjoy in its own right.
Overall, I found it interesting as a study of a classic rather than as a book to enjoy in its own right.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is of course a legendary book but I have only just read it now, although I have read thousands of thrillers over the years. You have to realise this is a 1929 book which defined the genre. It does not have much action, it is a sequence of scenes taking place mostly in rooms, offices, with lots of dialogues, so don't expect a kinematic novel here. It is very well written with lots of subtle hints in the expression, and overall I enjoyed it but it felt quite slow. As per the plot it is quite linear. Anyway, put in the context it is quite remarkable and I am glad I read it, it is part of the heritage.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
classic hard-boiled detective fiction at its best
Great classic story from outstanding "father" of the hard-boiled detective fiction genre. Delivered before estimated date, time being a factor as I needed the text for my... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Niki
Puzzlement
Having heard the film of the same name praised to the skies, and Dashiell Hammett ditto, I thought I'd try it. I'm afraid I really had to work hard to get myself to the end. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roy Collins
Dashiell Hammett's classics for the Kindle
Not only do you get the wonderful Maltese Falcon you also get The Thin Man and Red Harvest. Three of Hammett's finest works for around £4! Read more
Published 9 months ago by C. Jewell
Review of Kindle Edition
The Maltese Falcon is a brilliant novel, one which defined the hard-boiled genre, and is of course worth reading. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Rusty Shackleford
See the film
Not bad, but I don't like Hammett's prose as much as Raymond Chandler's. If you've seen the film, this doesn't really add much to it. Read more
Published 14 months ago by moby-dick
As others say, a classic.
Like most readers, I watched the film before I read the book. Maybe this is why I enjoyed it so much - I could precisely picture Bogie, Astor, Lorre and Greenstreet in the roles. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Snowman
The Maltese Falcon Soars
The Maltese Falcon well deserves its place in history as a classic hardboiled novel. The main character, Sam Spade, is a loveable rogue that the audience can't tire of trying to... Read more
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by S. Taylor
Brilliant - and not for men only!
All the other reviewers seem to be male - but as a female reader, I'd like to add that this book is terrific. Even better than the film ... Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by booksetc
Sam Spade is as good as it gets
Sam Spade arrived on the scene in 1930 with a vitality and directness that remains fresh and convincing today. Read more
Published on 26 July 2009 by Mick Read
As good as it gets
If you like crime writing of any sort then look no further. This is the pinnacle, this is as good as it gets.
Published on 8 May 2009 by Officer Dibble
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