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'Thin Man' picked for One Book, One Denver reading program

By Patti Thorn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 9, 2008 at 10:58 a.m.

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Mayor John Hickenlooper unveils

Matt McClain © The Rocky

Mayor John Hickenlooper unveils "The Thin Man" as the title for this year's One Book, One Denver program today at the Central Denver Public Library.

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This year's One Book, One Denver selection is "The Thin Man" by Dashiel Hammett. Are you going to read it?


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Dashiell Hammett’s classic crime novel, The Thin Man, is this year’s pick for the community reading program, One Book, One Denver.

The title was announced by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in a press conference this morning at the central branch of the Denver Public Library. It marks a divergence from the past four titles, which have all featured living authors. Hammett died in 1961.

The Thin Man has been lauded for its spare realism and wit. It begins when former private detective Nick Charles is approached by Dorothy Wynant, the 20-year-old daughter of one of his past clients, the eccentric inventor Clyde Wynant. Dorothy hopes Nick can help her locate her father, who has disappeared.

Soon after, Clyde Wynant’s secretary is found murdered — and the intrigue begins. Did the inventor kill her, as police suspect? Or could it have been any number of others in the Wynant family, each offering their own shaded versions of the truth?

Through it all, the suave, wise-cracking Nick and his beautiful heiress wife Nora flirt with each other and trade sardonic quips, while drinking enough cocktails to drown Manhattan. The dashing couple, the subject of only one Hammett book, later inspired the popular series of Thin Man movies featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy.

Often heralded as the father of the hard-boiled detective novel, Hammett wrote scores of short stories and five novels, including the highly acclaimed The Maltese Falcon, which later became a movie staring Humphrey Bogart.

The One Book, One Denver program was begun in 2004 to promote community dialogue and literacy. Past titles, in order, have been: Peace Like A River, by Leif Enger; Caramelo, by Sandra Cisneros; The Milagro Beanfield War, by John Nichols, and Articles of War, by Nick Arvin.

Comments

  • September 9, 2008

    12:07 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gr8fuldude writes:

    Good to see that all of the city's problems are solved so that hizzoner can focus his attention on this issue of critical importance.

  • September 9, 2008

    1:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    fleetmack writes:

    I've never heard of the One Book, One Denver program before. Awesome idea, these are the kind of things that make us a community and bring people together. Kudos to all involved!

  • September 9, 2008

    1:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverHil writes:

    One Book One Denver is a proactive and innovative way to bring the diverse Denver community together. It ought to be applauded! I know what I'll be reading this fall...

  • September 9, 2008

    1:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    coarizona writes:

    I think Hick would spend some time reading the books on Colorado and Denver laws. And then start enforcing them. This guy has waaay too much time on his hands. What an empty suit.

  • September 9, 2008

    1:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HopiMedicineMan writes:

    You've got to open your eyes to the fact that Democrats are all about substance abuse. Give people an income to stay high and trial lawyers employed on the public dime. How many Democrats made their fortunes in the alcohol business? How much drug cash goes to Dem politicians? In the Thin Man series, Nick Charles, the detective is an alcoholic who works while he's drunk. Hickenlooper's business is alcohol. This is clearly a conflict of interest. Way to go Hick, start 'em young.

  • September 9, 2008

    1:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gr8fuldude writes:

    Shagster - Actually we live in the burbs, so I don't take Hick too seriously. But I have to wonder who sang the "Black National Anthem" at this ceremony.

  • September 9, 2008

    2:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gr8fuldude writes:

    Shag - Agreed...between that issue, along with crumbling infrastructure, the sate of DPS, gangs and all that goes with them, I think he should have WAY bigger priorities than telling people what to read.

    Btw, does anyone remember one of the first books in this program several years ago? It was called "Caramelo"...I remember Vic Lombardi doing an interview with Carmelo Anthony during that time, who asked "Is that book about me?"...And he wonders why he needs to work on his image...

  • September 9, 2008

    7:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rip84 writes:

    Shaggy and dude,
    Clearly you cannot see beyond the headline. The purpose of this type of program is to encourage people to come together as a community under the banner of a shared experience. Believe it or not, when people have a shared experience they tend to not kill, rape, or generally screw each other over. It starts with a book but it ends with people getting to know each other. Worse case, it encourages literacy. Do you have an issue with that? Also, it is a part of the cultural promotion of this city.

  • September 15, 2008

    10:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Seanchai writes:

    rip84: >>The purpose of this type of program is to encourage people to come together as a community under the banner of a shared experience.<<

    Shouldn't the shared experience be something people are interested in sharing? I'm confident that more people watch television than read, so why not create or select a television program for the city all to watch and discuss?

    Or is that too low-brow?

    DenverHill: >>Awesome idea, these are the kind of things that make us a community and bring people together.<<

    How is it bringing together the area's sizeable Hispanic and Russian communities? I haven't seen a copy of The Thin Man available in Spanish or Russian for these citizens and residents to read.

    Or is this program really just aimed at creating a community out of middle and upper class White citizens who have an interest in reading and time on their hands? - John