Dashiell Hammett: A Daughter Remembers

Rating:
Summary: a distant relationship
Review: Jo Hammett's book about her father, fabled tough-guy writer Dashiell Hammett, includes many family photos and documents never before seen by Hammett enthusiasts. The book, printed on glossy paper, is visually appealing. Jo Hammett's description of her childhood years, when her father's presence was a treat and time spent with him seemed magical, must be weighed against her growing realization that her parents were hopelessly mismatched, that her father was an intensely private man who shared his life with no one, not even his long-time mistress, Lillian Hellman.

Her father found his niche in American publishing, and is beloved by many readers devoted to his hard-boiled style. His family life, or the lack of it, may take some of the sheen from his image. A pervasive sadness invades this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good but not great...
Review: While I enjoyed this book by Dashiell Hammett's daughter, Josephine, it was not quite what I expected. I purchased Dashiell Hammett: A Daughter Remembers thinking that it was going to be an in-depth biography about Dashiell Hammett. Instead, it is a short book filled with remembrances of her dad that are short snippets and stories and anecdotes. While the book is filled with many wonderful photos, the story skips around a bit and Jo Hammett doesn't delve into any one topic (early years, married life, Lillian Hellman, service years, prision time, etc.) in any great detail. Still, Hammett was a very fascinating character and his daughter tries to give us just a little insight into the real man. She also tries to separate some of the Hammett-myth that was created and perpetuated by long-time friend and lover, Lillian Hellman. While I enjoyed the things that I read, I just wish there had been more.