I don't like THE MALTESE FALCON (the book).

[raccoon]

The movie was palatable because of Bogie.

But I tried to listen to the book and I just don't care to go on with it. IMO, Sam Spade is an asshole, and I don't like to read books where the protagonists are assholes.

I'll stick to cozies, thank you.

Note: I was trying to read THE MALTESE FALCON because a book discussion group I'm in is reading it.

[rfranklin]

1. That's an erudite analysis of the book...

Now can we discuss Oliver Twist?

[raccoon]

2. Never read that one, but I've read lots of Dickens.

David Copperfield

Dombey and Son

Martin Chuzzlewit

Hard Times

Bleak House

The Old Curiosity Shop

And of course Christmas Carol.

[cyberswede]

3. Listened to the book?

Try reading it instead. I'm not trying to be flip - it's just that when you read a book, YOU decide how the characters "sound." Admittedly, when I read the book, I "heard" Bogie's characterization of Spade, since I'd seen the movie prior to the book. :)

Seriously, though, Spade is supposed to be "hard-boiled," so he probably is an asshole. Books of this genre typically have a semi-flawed "hero" - that's kind of the point. Oh - and they're usually pretty sexist, too. It's just part of the package.

If you haven't already, read some Chandler next time. :)

[raccoon]

7. Chandler's on the agenda for May! nt

[cyberswede]

8. Which book?

Here's my favorite excerpt from the beginning of Red Wind (actually a short story):

"There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge."

Chandler rocks! :)

Useless trivia: Ed Asner (as Lou Grant) reads the above passage to Mary in a great scene from the Mary Tyler Moore Show - his reading of it is fabulous!

[raccoon]

9. "The Big Sleep."

That excerpt sounds interesting.

[cyberswede]

10. Great!

The Big Sleep is a great book! Great dialog! I think they toned down some of the plot for the movie (the 1946 version, anyway).

As for Red Wind, you can read it in its entirety here (it's not terribly long):
http://ae-lib.org.ua/texts-c/chandler__red_wind__en.htm

[raccoon]

11. Thanks for the link. nt

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. Sam Spade doesn't have any redeeming features, does he?

I read the Maltese Falcon not long ago and thought it was just horrible writing. I'm sure the movie was a lot better than the book.

But its a classic so reading it was fun.

[Ranting_Wacko]

5. He has at least one good trait...

... he has enough sense of responsibility to see justice done for his murdered partner, even though it means turning in a woman he's attracted to and giving up a fortune and an easy life.

Granting that's not much for a character who is an alcoholic, slept with his partner's wife while he was still alive and then told her to stop calling him after she suggested that they could continue their relationship openly now that her husband was dead... but that is something.

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. He didn't much like his partner, did he?

It's been a while since I read that book. Seems to me that Sam was basically just out for Sam - that was the bottom line.