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Summary: If you read only one book of the genre . . . .
Review: . . . . it must be this one. So well written the characters just leap out of the pages. You're there with them, a silent witness to a mystery being unravelled bit by bit. I'm a slow reader but this book didn't last long. If I could have my memory erased, I'd behappy to read this book again and again. As it is, I'll still read it again and again. Just brilliant.
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Summary: The Maltese Falcon
Review: I think that Hammett was attempting to create a thrill ride type novel with The Maltese Falcon. The novel moves quickly and the ride and language is a little rough around the edges. I like Sam Spade more than I would like to admit. He's the kind of man woman love and men hate. And he's a great detective.
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Summary: THE MALTESE FAKE
Review: With the publishing of this novel came an entirely new form of mystery novel-the hard boiled genre. Dashiel Hammett was clearly an expert at crafting these types of novels. With this particular one, however, I could not get past the language (cuss words) and the dark nature of Sam Spade, the main character, long enough to get any true enjoyment out of it.
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Summary: A great read over 50 years later...
Review: If you had never seen the movie or heard of the book, you would think Dashiell Hammett's writing was that of a modern contemporary. The story could be taking place in today's San Francisco. But, you HAVE seen Houston's Masterpiece, so you probably think there are no surprises left. You would be wrong. 'nuff said' on that point.My only problem, and this is purely MY PROBLEM, is that while reading the book, I couldn't help but put Bogart and Greenstreet in their title character roles. It made me wonder how I would have envisioned the characters and setting the day the novel was released or if I lived in a cave my whole life. It doesn't ruin the book, but imagine reading Gone With The Wind after first seeing the movie. No pun intended, but you get the picture. :)
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Summary: The Maltese Falocn
Review: The Maltese Falcon is a great book. The story is very excited. However, the relationship between character is a little confused and very easy to get lost. The ending of the novel is very good and unexpected.
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Summary: I couldn't put it down
Review: I started the book at 5:30 PM after getting home from classes and read it non stop until 3:00 AM (I'm a slow reader). This should serve as testimony to the greatness of this book. The characters are timeless and the fast-moving plot is fascinating. The story is a believeable one and I really like how Hammett ends each chapter with a mini-cliffhanger. That's the main reason I kept reading after struggling to keep my eyes openn during my "Canadian Government and Politcs" class; I couldn't wait to see how Sam Spade would get out of the "jam" Hammet ended the chapter with. Hammet doesn't exactly pull you into 1930's San Francisco, but he does hook you. It's a very enjoyable read.
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Summary: UnBelievable
Review: I saw the reviews has been from 1 star to 5 stars. Those with 1 to 4 stars definitely have no tastes for detective stories. The Maltese Falcon is by no doubt Hammett's best work and one of the best mystery detective stories. If you enjoy the book you will enjoy the film. Even if it's old it's worth watching. I read the books twice a week now. I just can't put it aside ignoring it. It's just beyond words to describe. My drooling over this book is almost synchronized with every word that I read. Hammett's not ONLY a great writer but he's EVERYTHING in a great writer.
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Summary: Wow
Review: Reading these reviews (while stuck at work) it reminds me of opening the Maltese Falcon fourteen years ago. It was incredible, a superb piece of atmospheric writing; I swear I finished the book with my mouth wide open, too enthralled to think of anything else. I love the ending with its hard pragmatism; compared to the romantic slush we are so often bombarded with,the ruthless logic of Sam Spade was a revelation. The film is also a masterpiece. Reading Dashiel Hammett inspired me to move onto Raymond Chandler a few days later. Dashiel Hammett is a master, Raymond Chandler had great admiration for a man who "gave murder back to the people who do it for a reason", compared to the inane plots and social snobberies of the Agatha Christie. brigade". I will always admire Dashiel Hammett, but my preference is for Raymond Chandler. A hard choice, but I love Raymond Chandler's hard poetical prose. They were both superb.
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Summary: One of three definitive "Hard-Boiled" Detective Books
Review: The "Maltese Falcon" is arguably Dashiell Hammett's best and most well-known hard-boiled detective story, made even more famous by the Warner Bros. film starring Humphrey Bogart. "Falcon," "The Continental Op" and Raymond Chandler's "The Big Sleep" are three of the defining books of the age of wise-guy detectives. Hammett conjures up the sordid side of San Francisco, blind-greed and desire with tight prose and razor-sharp dialogue that makes this one of the classics of the genre, and a classic work of literature as well. This has been one of my favorite stories for years, and this reprint provides exceptional readability in a well-bound form.
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Summary: The Book Thats Not All That Great!
Review: I didnt really enjoy reading this book. It wasnt very exciting. The only reason i read it is because i was forced to for a school project. the book literally put me to sleep several times while reading it. i recommmend reading Death in Venice. I really like tadzio.
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