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The Big Sleep & Farewell, My Lovely (Modern Library) Hardcover – May 2, 1995

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Raymond Chandler (Author)
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4.5 out of 5 stars 65 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Modern Library
  • Hardcover: 544 pages
  • Publisher: Modern Library (May 2, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0679601406
  • ISBN-13: 978-0679601401
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.4 x 7.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsThe best place to start if you're a Chandler novice
By Continental Op on January 13, 2003
Format: Hardcover
Seeing as how "The Big Sleep" and "Farewell, My Lovely" are the first two Philip Marlowe detective novels that Raymond Chandler wrote (published in 1939 and 1940, respectively), this is a grand place for a Chandler novice to begin pursuing the morally decrepit alleys and boulevards of the rich and not-so-rich in Los Angeles.
One thing you should note is that Chandler held the conventional detective stories (think: Agatha Christie) in disdain. Ergo, any attempt of mine to barf back the plots to you is a waste of time. They are so complex that you often forget exactly what happened shortly after you finish reading the books themselves...which doesn't detract from their quality whatsoever mind you. It's been told often enough that after their publication, Chandler often didn't even know what was going on in his own novels!
Suffice to say that both books concern murder among the wealthy elites in L.A. during Chandler's life--a time when the city was a lot smaller than its present size, and more hostile to outsiders--particularly to people of color. "The Big Sleep" concerns a disappearance and a reclusive millionaire and his two daughters (one is a mentally deranged nymphomaniac; the other is a bit more sensible, but no less shady) and the lengths he'll go to protect them. While this isn't the best Marlowe novel, this is probably the best place to start. Plus, it got made into a pretty good movie starring Bogie and Bacall.
"Farewell, My Lovely" is perhaps the most politically incorrect of the Marlowe books. It starts off with a murder at a bar in South Central L.A. and extends its tentacles into jewel heists and gambling rings where it is difficult to ascertain exactly who is doing what to whom. In Chandler's L.A., nothing is what it seems.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA polished and refined example of a rough, gritty genre
By Matthew Farrell on March 15, 2009
Format: Hardcover
I read this largely on a whim, having had no exposure to this genre before except various parodies of it. I can easily see why this style of book in general and the "hard-boiled" presentation in particular remains popular 70+ years after the fact. After finishing The Big Sleep, my initial reaction was an urge to quit my job and become a private detective.

Chandler can write: he has an sense of vivid description, and his use of similes is masterful. His prose alone was a pleasure to read, but he also has a keen sense of characters, plots, and almost byzantine twists there-in.

Of the two stories, The Big Sleep struck me as the better of the pair both in terms of plot and presentation. I was a bit skeptical for much of Farewell My Lovely, as he seemed to be using a lot of "coincidence" to move things along -- something of a pet peev of mine -- but to my surprise he was able to tie it all together at the end in a fairly satisfactory manner. A calling card of HBDF is the slang and lingo, and there's plenty of it here, and quite often it made me chuckle.

These are interesting little time capsules of 1930s L.A. Modern readers with modern "politically correct" sensibilities should probably be warned that the books (especially Farewell) contain a good deal of un-PC sentiment: there are multiple racial stereotypes, N-bombs, and even a fair amount of misogyny. How much of this is Chandler's own view and how much is his imitation of contemporary culture I don't know, nor do I especially care. Others might not be so forgiving, so you have been cautioned.

This is worth getting for The Big Sleep alone, but Farewell My Lovely is a decent companion piece. I wouldn't want a steady diet of this type of reading, but it certainly piqued my interest enough that I will come back for more.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA shot of Hard-boiled; and make it a double.
By G. Bruce White on April 22, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The Kindle screen looked bright until IT downloaded. The mood then darkened like a winter storm in LA bringing not so much cold as dark and gloom with now and then a flash of tough guy wit followed by the crash of a violent come back from some underworld goon. The plots were as tight and twisted as a hangman's noose and the characters as many faced as stolen diamond. The message was clear. So, read IT, Wiseguy. Savor the noir. But watch out for the doll-faced lady with curves like a mountain road and the gorilla with a bulge in is overcoat pocket and nothing under his fedora but orders from the Boss.
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5.0 out of 5 starsNot just a mystery writer....
By johnglor94 on November 4, 1998
Format: Hardcover
Raymond Chandler was not just a mystery writer, but a keen observer of the human condition. In this edition, two of his Philip Marlowe novels are collected in one volume. These stories are positively ALIVE with atmosphere and characterization. Dont miss these novels, as a great introduction to Chandler's work. You can feel the emotions boiling under ther surface of these characters, especially Marlowe, an honorable man in an increasingly dishonorable world. Not to be missed!
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5.0 out of 5 starsThe original detective noir genre that started it all
By George Coppedge on June 28, 2005
Format: Hardcover
Raymond Chandler, the author, is the definitive writer of the detective genre. His wise-cracking, earthy detective Philip Marlowe constantly sticks his nose into dangerous places, sometimes catching the far end of a swinging fist for his troubles. And trouble is a euphemism for his working life. His books led to the creation of several famous films with Humphrey Bogart playing Marlowe. But having seen the movies, there is no comparison to the quality of Chandler's original prose.

Here are a few witty samples full of imagery from his books:

"I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn't care who knew it."

"I was as empty of life as a scarecrow's pockets."

"... he looked as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food."

"He looked as nervous as a brick wall."

Chandler's stories move fast and contain a lot of action, just like his protagonist. Marlowe's character is a bit of a blue-collar cynic, an occasional ladies' man, a rebel, and a steadfast (but sometimes puzzlingly) honest man. Marlowe is just an average guy who just happens to solve cases involving the rich and beautiful (and their dirty little secrets) in mid-twentieth century LA. And I suppose Marlowe's fast-talking, action-oriented character is one most of us average guys could identify with, which accounts for the success of his books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I don't usually like reading fiction - and highly recommend it. Chandler really is a pleasure to read. Why couldn't we have read something like this just once in my high school English lit classes!?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsChandler - A Master

You can't be a first-class American reader without sampling Raymond Chandler. Most love "The Long Goodbye. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Shawna W T Monson
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book is awesome. I can't recommend it enough

This book is awesome. I can't recommend it enough.

Published 1 month ago by Ryan D. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Classic book at a great price.

Published 5 months ago by BoyInTheDesignerBubble
2.0 out of 5 starsDid not finish the book; not my style, I guess.

I tired to be a Raymond Chandler fan, but it did not interest me.

Published 7 months ago by Linda
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Chandler (Philip Marlowe) is the man.

Published 8 months ago by Junnu Airaxin
1.0 out of 5 starsJust happy I finished reading the book so that the download ...

Just happy I finished reading the book so that the download is not wasted.
The storyline is a chore to follow!!

Published 10 months ago by Chuen Tick
5.0 out of 5 starsChandler's mid century LA

It's fascinating to read Hammet and Chandler describe SF and LA from a totally bygone era. Chandlers plots are possibly a little far fetched, but thoroughly enjoyable due to his... Read more

Published 11 months ago by Henry Way
5.0 out of 5 starslassic

It's Raymond Chandler, it could only be 5 stars.

Published 12 months ago by ctjean
5.0 out of 5 starsGood pace, entertaining

Exc. detective/mystery from the old school of mystery writers. Good pace, entertaining, hard boiled and flawed detective that I loved.

Published 17 months ago by W. Korson
4.0 out of 5 starsEnjoyable reads - both of them

Both are great page-turners. I especially liked Farewell My Lovely. Two books for the price of one is also a reason why I purchased this but I'll probably be reading many more... Read more

Published 21 months ago by Jonathan D. Geisler

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