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I came to this book on a circuitous route via the American musician Ry Cooder. I have loved Cooder's work for many years, and when I discovered he had written the soundtrack for the movie 'Paris, Texas' (directed by Wim Wenders), I was curious to watch it. I loved the film, and was then curious to learn more about Wenders. I also really liked 'Buena Vista Social Club', the Wenders' film documenting Cooder's musical collaborations in Cuba. I learnt Wenders had also directed a film about the writer of mystery novels, Dash Hammett. I had never heard of Hammett before, but I then read his first book, 'Red Harvest'. What a wild ride! When I came across 'The Life of Dashiell Hammett' by Diane Johnson in a second hand book shop I decided I had to buy it.
I can scarcely imagine the amount of work that must go into writing a book like this. First there is all the research, then there is the process of writing itself - distilling an enormous amount of background material into a readable form that tells the story of Hammett's life. This book is an incredible achievement.
Hammett reminded so much of the Australian writers C. J Dennis and Henry Lawson - particularly Dennis. They all shared the same fondness for alcohol, and the same careless attitude to money. Both Hammett and Dennis made a huge amount of money in a very short space of time, and frittered it away just as quickly. They all died young, at least in part due to alcohol, and in poverty. Hammett was 66, but in very poor health for a number of years before that. Dennis was 61, and Lawson only 55. Perhaps one day the neurophysiologists will be able to explain this phenomenon to us properly. (I wouldn't hold your breath, though...)
The book also gives an insight into the years of McCarthyism in the U.S. I hadn't realised before now how the defeat by America of fascism in Europe paved the way for the introduction of fascism to America. I still don't understand how this works, but there is a grain of truth in there somewhere, I am sure.
The last chapters are painful to read. The early glory days were followed by long periods of restlessness and low productivity. Then came the accusations of anti-American activity, the trial, the imprisonment, the deteriorating health and the slow, drawn-out death.
Many of Hammett's personal letters to friends and family are included, and give a good insight into how he thought and wrote. He was clearly a very funny guy, and must have been great company - at least for those few people he liked and respected. His way of letter writing also reminds of C. J. Dennis, though I would be hard pressed to explain exactly why.
I wouldn't describe this book as a particularly easy read. (Let's face it, most really worthwhile books aren't!) However, if Hammett has in any way got under your skin (as he has mine), then reading this is an excellent way to learn much more about him.
I can scarcely imagine the amount of work that must go into writing a book like this. First there is all the research, then there is the process of writing itself - distilling an enormous amount of background material into a readable form that tells the story of Hammett's life. This book is an incredible achievement.
Hammett reminded so much of the Australian writers C. J Dennis and Henry Lawson - particularly Dennis. They all shared the same fondness for alcohol, and the same careless attitude to money. Both Hammett and Dennis made a huge amount of money in a very short space of time, and frittered it away just as quickly. They all died young, at least in part due to alcohol, and in poverty. Hammett was 66, but in very poor health for a number of years before that. Dennis was 61, and Lawson only 55. Perhaps one day the neurophysiologists will be able to explain this phenomenon to us properly. (I wouldn't hold your breath, though...)
The book also gives an insight into the years of McCarthyism in the U.S. I hadn't realised before now how the defeat by America of fascism in Europe paved the way for the introduction of fascism to America. I still don't understand how this works, but there is a grain of truth in there somewhere, I am sure.
The last chapters are painful to read. The early glory days were followed by long periods of restlessness and low productivity. Then came the accusations of anti-American activity, the trial, the imprisonment, the deteriorating health and the slow, drawn-out death.
Many of Hammett's personal letters to friends and family are included, and give a good insight into how he thought and wrote. He was clearly a very funny guy, and must have been great company - at least for those few people he liked and respected. His way of letter writing also reminds of C. J. Dennis, though I would be hard pressed to explain exactly why.
I wouldn't describe this book as a particularly easy read. (Let's face it, most really worthwhile books aren't!) However, if Hammett has in any way got under your skin (as he has mine), then reading this is an excellent way to learn much more about him.