The Maltese falcon — Dashiell Hammett — Can't recommend

 

Why did I read this? It was on Jordan Peterson's reading list and I've liked most of them on his list. Why didn't I like it? Maybe because I accidentally got the dramatized (for radio) version.

In a nutshell, I found the protagonist competent (something to admire) but also brash (something to repel). What's the difference? In novels brash people succeed through luck, competent people succeed through, skill, grit, cunning, etc. Moreover, he seemed entirely bereft of a moral compass. Other than that, I'm not sure what moral lesson I could take away.

Overall I found the production moderately entertaining, not thought-provoking, and generally uninspiring.

I'll give it a few months, find the novel, give it a listen, and update accordingly.

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