Journal Entry 1 by crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, March 11, 2010

Journal Entry 2 by crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, August 28, 2010

I can't quite work out why this book was included in the 2006 list of "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die", (although it was removed from the list in 2008). Granted, it is one of those groundbreaking books in the 'hardboiled' subset of the genre, but it's not his first. However it is said to be Hammett's favouite. You do have to admit it is pretty appallingly written. Ned Beaumont is always referred to as Ned Beaumont, and Janet Henry as Janet Henry, though others are given one name only (either first or last), such as Jeff or Farr or Madvig. Strange. There's lots of conniving and double-crossing - with the omniscient Ned Beaumont wandering about seemingly able to say anything to anyone, and being able to withstand more beatings than you can imagine.

And you have to laugh at the really dodgy dialogue. My favourite bit is:
. . . He broke off contemptuously. 'It doesn't make any difference.' He jerked a thumb carelessly at the door. Get out, you heel, this is the kiss-off.'
Ned Beaumont said: 'I'll get out when I've finished talking.'
Madvig said: 'You'll get out when you're told to. You can't say anything I'll believe. You haven't said anything I believe. You never will now.'
Ned Beaumont said: 'Oke.' He picked up his hat and overcoat and went out.


It will be in the post to dolphin-au on Monday.
 

Journal Entry 3 by crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Monday, August 30, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (8/30/2010 UTC) at Balingup, Western Australia Australia

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

In the mail today . . . enjoy! 

Journal Entry 4 by dolphin-au at Bellingen, New South Wales Australia on Friday, September 03, 2010

Thanks crimson-tide. I've read a couple of Hammett's books in the past and seen a few film-noirs based on his books, so am looking forward to read this. 

Journal Entry 5 by dolphin-au at Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I agree with you crimson-tide, it seems an odd book to be in the 1001 list, but it is far from the only one in that respect in my opinion.
One of the interesting aspects of this book is the amazing shift in values and attitudes that must have occurred in the time since this book was written. I guess that even in its time it did not portray the average attitudes, but in some aspects it seems utterly foreign to me, probably more so that say novels of the 19th century, or novels from Europe from the same era. I also recently watched the movie based on The Maltese fakcon again, and it definitely has this same strange (and clumsy) aura about it.
Thanks for sharing the book with me cromson-tide.