I just finished reading The Maltese Falcon. I'm surprised I hadn't read it previously as I spent most of my teens reading detective fiction. I guess I was more into English locked-room whodunnits than hard-boiled American crime fiction. Although Hammett more or less invented the genre, it has been so overdone in the years since it is almost difficult to not laugh out loud at some of the now stereotypical moves Sam Spade makes. The thing that surprised me was the fact that a novel published in 1929 in America would make no bones about having a gay character or talking frankly about female nudity. I have never seen the movie either, although I plan to rent it sometime this week.
7 comments:
I've never read the book, but it's a great movie.
I am quite the fan of the closed room mystery. Indeed, it distresses me that everything nowadays has to be muuurder, rather than an interesting case of the cat's missing collar.
Possibly the finest example of a closed room story, with a novel twist, is the first story in the sadly overlooked collection "The Mournful Demeanor of Lieutenant Boruvka," by Josef Skvorecky, best known for the Engineer of Human Souls.
Lt. Boruvka is one of a long line of great European anti-detectives, or, at least, protagonists of anti-detective stories. Other very good examples are the crime stories of Leonardo Sciascia(typical plot: quickly identify the culprit, but ordered away by corrupt superiors); and Freidrich Durrenmatt (typical plot: identify the culprit, realize he will likely get away with it, surreptitiously kill him).
Hammett invented it, but man, read Raymond Chandler. I've noted Andrew's suggestions, just spelling those names correctly is a feat.
What's your favorite all time mystery novel? Mine is probably 'Ten Little Indians' by Agatha Christie.
Tough question Dave. I've long been a fan of detective fiction. I agree with Mike about Raymond Chandler; although I was always partial to Ross MacDonald in the same vein, I think Chandler is a class above.
Not sure I can pick an all time favorite, but I will offer two suggestions (in addition to the ones in my last post) (we can do spy novels, another favorite genre, some other time):
Book you probably won't read otherwise, but are most likely to recommend to other like-minded individuals: The Berlin Trilogy, by Philip Kerr. Terrific noir trilogy featuring a private detective in pre-war Germany. (Typical plot: suspect has influence with the Gestapo; must tread carefully.)
Also worthy of mention is the little -known "The Mortdecai Trilogy" by Kyril Bonfiglioli. (typical plot: detective gets drunk, is implicated in the crime, may even be guilty of the crime.) A little ham-fisted at times, but mostly very amusing.
I haven't read any Hammett or Chandler, but I got on a big James M. Cain kick about 10 years ago - The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity. I'll add some of these to my Amazon Wish List. Thanks, ladies.
I had no idea we were all on the same page, so to speak. I may have to suspend my obsessive "1001 Books" list to get back on the mystery train.
If you are a fan of medieval history AND mysteries, check out Michael Jecks' series of Templar mysteries. The mysteries themselves are not all that great, but he is meticulous in the background history for these stories set in the time of Edward III. The politics and intrigue of the court are just as interesting as who killed the jester. Start at the beginning if you want to read these. Or better yet, let me know if you're interested and I'll mail 'em to you.
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