Pulp Fiction discussion

While Sam Spade is more well known, much of Dashiell Hammett's output concerned a nameless investigator working, mostly, for the Continental Detective Agency. He is a man whose experience of human depravity has left cynical and holds on to his humanity via a strict moral code, occasionally letting sympathy get the better of him.

I've not read this one yet, but I do plan on it. Is he the same unnamed detective from Red Harvest?

Yes, KL. He made his first appearance in Red Harvest. Here's the remainder of the series:

http://www.goodreads.com/series/69339...

May I nominate Red Harvest as a future group read? ;D

Mike wrote: "Yes, KL. He made his first appearance in Red Harvest. Here's the remainder of the series:

http://www.goodreads.com/series/69339..."

I didn't realise that was book 1 of the series

Paul 'Pezter' wrote: "May I nominate Red Harvest as a future group read? ;D"

and yes, we should do that book

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Mike wrote: "Yes, KL. He made his first appearance in Red Harvest. Here's the remainder of the series:

http://www.goodreads.com/series/69339..."

I didn't realise that was book 1..."

I think 'series' is a bit strong; there's no real connection other than the character - to the best of my knowledge, although I confess I've not read all the stories.

I would say series in the sense its different adventures with the same character (a great protagonist at that). I can't think of a hard-boiled series that really run on together.

Good point, they don't really do that, do they? I guess I'm thinking 'serials', in the RKO sense :D

Yeah, that's normally what I do, but I need to break out of that habit. I still try to read the series in order, even if they are not a continuation.

I'm definitely up for re-reading Red Harvest in 2012.

I have spent the last month writing about Red Harvest for uni lit paper so im pretty sick of it right now:D

My alltime fav PI novel and The OP is the ideal near amoral, tough as nails, mean, smart. He is the best still today. Spade,Marlowe and their copies is not as big favs to me.

I have read 10-15 The OP short stories, Red Harvest. They are a series because they follow the same type of story patterns,tone.

Hammett wrote 2 novels and 36 stories about The OP for a reason.

Mohammed wrote: "I have spent the last month writing about Red Harvest for uni lit paper so im pretty sick of it right now:D"

That is understandable! Although I guess you'd be able to take part in discussions without having to re-read ;D

I feel much the same, I love Hammett and his creation. I haven't read all the short stories yet, though. Must remedy that...

Paul 'Pezter' wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "I have spent the last month writing about Red Harvest for uni lit paper so im pretty sick of it right now:D"

That is understandable! Although I guess you'd be able to take part in..."

I read it for the second time just before i wrote about it. It was fun reading it for the second time. I saw things i missed the first time.

The short stories are wonderful, mean,they say alot about Hammett world view. Just because he was realistic some critics call his OP stories heartless. I like the documentary feel of his OP stories. Simple paper,evidence,criminals chasing done down to earth done with cool style,wit.

Hammett knew the work he was writing about.

So far I've enjoyed The Continental Op very much.

In the book of the same name, each story adds to the overall picture of the Op - how he does his job - which is very different for the Op working for an agency, than Marlowe who is a one-man operation. Details like how the Op flushed the murderer out in The Golden Horseshoe; or how many of the Agency clients are insurance companies wanting to recover high value stolen property; or how the writing samples he collects when on a case are useful when comparing check or hotel register signatures - all those type details are really great.

- I like the Op himself, he keeps his eye on the ball - the aiders and abettors may be within reach (The Main Murder), but he'll let them go in order to get the one he's after.
- The Op knows his colleagues and his informers, their strengths & weaknesses, but can still be surprised when one of them does a complete reverse (informer Porky Grout in The Girl With Silver Eyes). All sorts of good stuff.

Jonathan wrote: "The Op stories are great: brisk and no-nonsense, with a thoroughly unglamorous antihero at their center."

The methodical, simple detective work The OP does and his unglamorous self is why i enjoy him as my alltime fav PI lead. Why i like Spade for example but he is too romantic,glamorous version. The Op makes them look more fake.

Jonathan wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "The Op stories are great: brisk and no-nonsense, with a thoroughly unglamorous antihero at their center."

The methodical, simple detective work The OP does and hi..."

You just have to read the Hammett quotes about one of them being based on a real Pinkerton agent he worked with and the other based on the dream operator they wished they were like.

The OP stories are also darker, more political,corruption etc

Mohammed wrote: "You just have to read the Hammett quotes about one of them being based on a real Pinkerton agent he worked with and the other based on the dream operator they wished they were like. "

That's a really good way of putting the difference between the Continental Op and Sam Spade.

Simon wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "You just have to read the Hammett quotes about one of them being based on a real Pinkerton agent he worked with and the other based on the dream operator they wished they were like..."

Yeah i have fun sometimes reading their short stories and comparing their actions, how they are described. Lets just say there is a reason why The OP isnt the famous heroic PI Spade has the rep for and not only the looks.

The OP is sometimes so amoral in his pursuit of the criminals that there is little difference between him and them. He couldnt be written today without being in a criminal noir series. Never as the PI lead.