Welcome to the paperback trails, today we have a book which virtually gave birth to the genre of hardboiled crime fiction. What is more, is that this is one of those books which actually deliver justifying its cult status within this genre. Before we begin let's talk about this genre of "Hardboiled" detective/crime fiction and understand how it differs from the Sherlocks and Hercule Poirots of the world
Hardboiled crime fiction was the predecessor of what one may today call pulp fiction. It was a typical style of writing which showcased gutsy characters, earthy language and languid morals. It brought a sense of naturalism and realism to detective works. Amongst the genre's pioneers, one name emerges on top - Dashiell Hammett. Hammett popularised hardboiled fiction with his works like The Maltese Falcon, Red Harvest, Thin Man etc. His characters like Nick Charles and Sam Spade came to symbolise everything the debonair, tough and unsentimental detective should be.
Maltese Falcon was and remains one of Hammett's most significant work, which introduced us to a new style of detective writing, which was a pretty big departure from the works of say an Arthur Conan Doyle. The book's protagonist is Sam Spade a private detective who along with his partner Miler Archer, takes on the case of tailing a Floyd Thursby on behalf of Ms. Wonderly. On the first night of the tailing Archer is shot and the plot begins to thicken. Ms Wonderly is actually Brigid O'Shaughnessy and Thursby is also found murdered. With a couple of murders, Spade begins to unravel the mystery of the case only to realise that he is in the middle of bigger forces all vying for a particular bejewelled statuette of a falcon. Spade uses his wit and guts to figure out his way and solve the case of the falcons and the murders.
What eventually happens and how he solves the murder would be a major spoiler so I won't divulge that information. What I can say wholeheartedly though is that the book is extremely satisfying and provides immense gratification, just as any detective novel should. It keeps you guessing till the very end as to who is the real culprit only to leave with confounded with the actual perpetrators and modus-operandi. Hammett's expertise in weaving a masterful yarn is very evident from this book and the Maltese Falcon keeps you glued from cover to cover. I had picked up this book after a long stint with non-fiction books and it was a refreshing feeling to read such a thrilling and well-knit detective story after a long time.
If you decide to explore the genre of hardboiled crime fiction then by all means pick up a Hammett and what better way to start off than the Maltese Falcon. I hope you too have great fun reading about the exploits of Sam Spade as he manoeuvres his way through the nexus of the police, the mafia and the femme fatale. I sure did. So till the next time we meet, keep on reading, recommending and sharing for more the passengers on the paperback trail the better.
Hardboiled crime fiction was the predecessor of what one may today call pulp fiction. It was a typical style of writing which showcased gutsy characters, earthy language and languid morals. It brought a sense of naturalism and realism to detective works. Amongst the genre's pioneers, one name emerges on top - Dashiell Hammett. Hammett popularised hardboiled fiction with his works like The Maltese Falcon, Red Harvest, Thin Man etc. His characters like Nick Charles and Sam Spade came to symbolise everything the debonair, tough and unsentimental detective should be.
Maltese Falcon was and remains one of Hammett's most significant work, which introduced us to a new style of detective writing, which was a pretty big departure from the works of say an Arthur Conan Doyle. The book's protagonist is Sam Spade a private detective who along with his partner Miler Archer, takes on the case of tailing a Floyd Thursby on behalf of Ms. Wonderly. On the first night of the tailing Archer is shot and the plot begins to thicken. Ms Wonderly is actually Brigid O'Shaughnessy and Thursby is also found murdered. With a couple of murders, Spade begins to unravel the mystery of the case only to realise that he is in the middle of bigger forces all vying for a particular bejewelled statuette of a falcon. Spade uses his wit and guts to figure out his way and solve the case of the falcons and the murders.
What eventually happens and how he solves the murder would be a major spoiler so I won't divulge that information. What I can say wholeheartedly though is that the book is extremely satisfying and provides immense gratification, just as any detective novel should. It keeps you guessing till the very end as to who is the real culprit only to leave with confounded with the actual perpetrators and modus-operandi. Hammett's expertise in weaving a masterful yarn is very evident from this book and the Maltese Falcon keeps you glued from cover to cover. I had picked up this book after a long stint with non-fiction books and it was a refreshing feeling to read such a thrilling and well-knit detective story after a long time.
If you decide to explore the genre of hardboiled crime fiction then by all means pick up a Hammett and what better way to start off than the Maltese Falcon. I hope you too have great fun reading about the exploits of Sam Spade as he manoeuvres his way through the nexus of the police, the mafia and the femme fatale. I sure did. So till the next time we meet, keep on reading, recommending and sharing for more the passengers on the paperback trail the better.
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