Spade and Archer get hired to tail a shady guy named Floyd Thursby… and one of the greatest detective novels begins. Dashiell Hammett, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

 

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The Boston Globe said, “Dashiell Hammett is a master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer.”  The London Times Literary Supplement said, “The Maltese Falcon is not only probably the best detective story we have ever read, it is an exceedingly well written novel.”. I am inclined to agree.

 

The characters are economically written, yes. But Hammett also pauses to set the stage and create a dynamic ambiance in a masterful way. The way he describes Spade’s apartment, or the breeze through the window blowing the cigarette ash on his desk. There are many elements of brilliance with this book, and I’m so excited it’s entered the public domain.

 

There is a little more foul language in this story than in our usual fare, and as with nearly all detective novels of the time, it’s got its share of homophobia and misogyny. Take the time to pause the show and point it out to your kids.

 

 

And now, The Maltese Falcon, Part 1 of 8, by Dashiell Hammett.

 

 

 

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