mkcd's review against another edition
3.0
This is an absolute classic of the genre. A great example of noir private detective fiction.
From that perspective it was great.
I understand that how the author/narrator talks about women is of the time and emblematic of the character. I don't have a problem with it. I just don't find it that pleasant to read--and maybe it's not because we're so far removed from that kind of casual misogyny that it seems shocking or foreign...but because we're not quite removed enough.
So yeah. I get that it sets tone and character and it's of the time. That's all well and good. But there are other things for me to read.
From that perspective it was great.
I understand that how the author/narrator talks about women is of the time and emblematic of the character. I don't have a problem with it. I just don't find it that pleasant to read--and maybe it's not because we're so far removed from that kind of casual misogyny that it seems shocking or foreign...but because we're not quite removed enough.
So yeah. I get that it sets tone and character and it's of the time. That's all well and good. But there are other things for me to read.
ohnoflora's review against another edition
5.0
It is deeply misogynistic, homophobic, and probably racist too. It is preoccupied by masculinity (let's be real, white masculinity) as the Ideal, everything else being a fractured (and therefore suspect) imitation. And yet, and yet, the joy of that prose, the clarity of those images. The incessant rain (still not enough to wash away the filth and degeneracy of LA), the thunder in the foothills sounding a constant warning, the dark and dingy rooms with sticky floors, the clink of ice, the smell of cordite. A tired man, jaded but not quite ready to give up the hope of finding some kind of good in the world, whatever that means...but not surprised when he doesn't find it.
ianomath's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
breaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
chrischrischris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
redeyedandhungry's review against another edition
3.0
Almost decided to drop this one entirely, but I'm glad I didn't. It certainly has its flaws, but the book certainly has its charms, and the plot is generally compelling despite some slow moments. In my opinion, Chandler and Hammett were decent writers in their own ways but the entire neo-noir movement just went above and beyond, and I think I generally prefer works from that movement that kind of left the genre conventions in favor of more interesting and remarkable experiences.
narcon_27's review against another edition
3.0
Almost decided to drop this one entirely, but I'm glad I didn't. It certainly has its flaws, but the book certainly has its charms, and the plot is generally compelling despite some slow moments. In my opinion, Chandler and Hammett were decent writers in their own ways but the entire neo-noir movement just went above and beyond, and I think I generally prefer works from that movement that kind of left the genre conventions in favor of more interesting and remarkable experiences.
corikane's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
barffalo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
punchingpilots's review against another edition
4.0
They say this is the novel that planted the seed for the detective genre.
This felt pretty far ahead of its time with the socio-political musings on capitalism in America and its enablement of corruption of government -which is a well trodden subject by now. The dialogue was witty and many of the one liners garnered a laugh from me.
This was more of a quick dose of comedy and snappy writing than a dose of mystery. I never found myself very invested in unravelling the conspiracy but was instead committed to the characters and general vibe of the world. If anything I wish this novel was 30% longer and dug a bit deeper into characters such as Vivian, Camino, Rusty, Mars and Mona. Such a compelling cast of characters that felt a little underexplored - but maybe that's the nature of this genre.
This felt pretty far ahead of its time with the socio-political musings on capitalism in America and its enablement of corruption of government -which is a well trodden subject by now. The dialogue was witty and many of the one liners garnered a laugh from me.
This was more of a quick dose of comedy and snappy writing than a dose of mystery. I never found myself very invested in unravelling the conspiracy but was instead committed to the characters and general vibe of the world. If anything I wish this novel was 30% longer and dug a bit deeper into characters such as Vivian, Camino, Rusty, Mars and Mona. Such a compelling cast of characters that felt a little underexplored - but maybe that's the nature of this genre.