Leora

This was a much more fun read than I expected for a “classic.” It’s a book of its time, meaning: expect misogyny, homophobia, and some words you dont know. And yet it’s just a good time - a true hard-boiled noir detective story. The plot can be a little tough to follow at times but if you’re patient and attuned to description and dialogue, it just really is the best embodiment of this genre I’ve encountered and is filled with lots of amazing and funny wise cracks and one-liners.

At times the character arcs felt a little unrealistic or maybe overwritten? You didn’t have to work for a lot in terms of understanding the characters. Some of the movement through time felt rushed.

That said, it’s a beautiful book, which touches on important themes like the constant modern fight against fascism, class, race, how a life-long partnership can have many different phases, and the cruelty of war and anti-leftist ideology. An important book for our times.