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The Maltese Falcon

Dashiell Hammett

Start date: June 1, 2014

Finish date: June 30, 2014

Discussion: June 2014 - The Maltese Falcon

Discussion leader: Beth

Why we're reading this: "a brilliant literary work, as well as a thriller, a love story, and a dark, dry comedy. The only critici…more
[close] "a brilliant literary work, as well as a thriller, a love story, and a dark, dry comedy. The only criticism one could offer Hammett’s private-eye classic is that it is so much fun to read, it might be hard the first time through to realize how deeply observed and morally serious it is."
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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 5 topics — 47 comments total

June 2014 - The Maltese Falcon

* Discuss Sam Spade as a detective
By Beth · 22 posts · 126 views

last updated Jul 22, 2014 07:06PM

Discuss Truth and Deception
By Beth · 7 posts · 58 views

last updated Jul 21, 2014 10:30AM

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What Members Thought

Jan 22, 2017 Avisek Bandyopadhyay rated it it was ok

Shelves: crime, overhyped

I chose Maltese Falcon out of the uncontrollable urge to cozy up to a detective genre because winter evenings are best complemented by a good detective story and a glass of good whiskey. Good whiskey I got but detective story I did not. This detective, Sam Spade, is an obnoxious asshole by his own self declaration and I agree. He is a womanizer, rather he is the type of guy who gets girl wet by his attitude. He loves money and his ethics are flexible. He is detached and thinks his shit smells sw ...more

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Dec 05, 2012 Grandpa Jud rated it liked it

I finished this book on Nov. 17, 2011 - over a year ago. Unfortunately, the details of the plot have faded but I think the book rates at least 3 stars. Perhaps if I began reading reviews of others - or a summary of the plot - I would start to remember additional details.

I re-read this book in June, 2016 and reaffirm its 3-star rating. Sam Spade, private investigator, is not a man to be taken lightly. Anyone playing games with Sam Spade just might lose - or will they? This book features an intere ...more

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Jun 03, 2015 Paul Wilson rated it liked it · review of another edition

Definitely one of those books that you appreciate more than like. I can see the influences on subsequent characters and authors like Ross MacDonald/Lew Archer, but those characters and books are better realized and written. The movie adaptation (well, the 3rd one) is top notch Bogart goodness, so the star rating is a little more generous than it probably should be. Meh...

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