Raymond Chandler's detective writing from a bygone era is truly excellent.

His works have a certain charm that transports readers back in time.

The stories are filled with complex characters and intricate plots that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Chandler's writing style is unique, with his use of vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue.

However, while his writing is of a high standard, it may not be to everyone's taste.

Some may find the pace a little slow or the language a bit old-fashioned.

Overall, Raymond Chandler's detective writing is definitely worth a read, especially for those who appreciate classic literature.

It earns a solid 6 out of 10 stars for its quality and historical significance.

The Big Sleep is one of those Goodreads specials.

Without the influence of Goodreads, I probably would never have bothered to read this book. It lies outside of my preferred genres. It's a detective story, which I generally think is overplayed, and it's not even that popular in the wider world.

Thank goodness for Goodreads. I'm sorry if it sounds like pandering, but it's the truth.

The Big Sleep was incredibly smooth and really good. I don't want to spoil it with a crappy synopsis. It's definitely worth a read, and that's all I'll say for now.

Let me leave you with some of these great quotes:

“It seemed like a nice neighborhood to have bad habits in.”

“She lowered her lashes until they almost cuddled her cheeks and slowly raised them again, like a theatre curtain. I was to get to know that trick. That was supposed to make me roll over on my back with all four paws in the air.”

Being 6'5\\", this one speaks to me: “Tall, aren't you?” she said. “I didn't mean to be.” Her eyes rounded. She was puzzled. She was thinking. I could see, even on that short acquaintance, that thinking was always going to be a bother to her.

“Neither of the two people in the room paid any attention to the way I came in, although only one of them was dead.”

“You can have a hangover from other things than alcohol. I had one from women.” (Yes, it's a bit sexist, but it was published in 1939, so you can cut it some slack without necessarily supporting it. I like the sentiment of this line comparing a hangover to other things.)

“Under the thinning fog the surf curled and creamed, almost without sound, like a thought trying to form itself on the edge of consciousness.”

“I don’t mind if you don’t like my manners. They’re pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings.”

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

Highly recommended.

4 out of 5 Stars.

(Book 599 from 1001 books) - The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe #1), Raymond Chandler

In the month of October, private investigator Philip Marlowe is summoned to the home of the wealthy and elderly General Sternwood. The general wants Marlowe to handle the blackmail attempt by a bookseller named Arthur Geiger against his wild young daughter, Carmen, who had previously been blackmailed by Joe Brody. General Sternwood also mentions that his other, older daughter Vivian is in a loveless marriage with Rusty Regan, who has disappeared. On Marlowe's way out, Vivian wonders if he was hired to find Regan, but Marlowe remains tight-lipped.

The story is narrated by Marlowe. General Sternwood hires him to uncover the secrets of his younger daughter Carmen's debts from gambling, which lead to her being blackmailed. Meanwhile, Rusty Regan disappears, and Vivian suspects that Marlowe's hiring might be related to finding him. Arthur Geiger, the owner of a rental store, drugs Carmen and takes compromising photos of her to blackmail her.

The best cinematic adaptation of this novel was made by Warner Bros. in 1946. Howard Hawks directed the film, and Humphrey Bogart played the role of Philip Marlowe.

First reading date: 27th February 2003 AD

Title: The Big Sleep: The first book in the Philip Marlowe series; Author: Raymond Chandler; Translator: Qasem Hashmi Nejad; Tehran, Iran Book, 2003; 299 pages; Subject: Police stories by American writers - 20th century

Warning: If you haven't read the book yet and want to read it, please refrain from reading the rest of the review.

Date of posting: 23/10/1399 Hijri Shamsi; 20/08/1400 Hijri Shamsi; A. Sharbiani

\\n  “What did it matter where you lay once you were dead? In a dirty sump or in a marble tower on the top of a high hill? You were dead, you were sleeping the big sleep, you were not bothered by things like that. Oil and water were the same as wind and air to you. You just slept the big sleep, not caring about the nastiness of how you died or where you fell.”\\n

One thing that seldom works for crime fiction is re-readability. For example, with Agatha Christie, once you've read Death on the Nile, why would you pick it up again? You know the crime, the criminal, and the entire sequence of events. There's a clear and logical explanation for everything that occurs from start to finish.

And herein lies the brilliance of this book, which I also recall in Paul Auster's novels, although they are of a completely different genre. Like Auster's works, there are certain significant shifts in the character of the detective genre here, shifts that inevitably mirror the setting in which it was written. Whether overtly criminal or ostensibly lawful, corrupt networks define Chandler's post-Prohibition society, and it is these murky spaces that give the investigator Philip Marlowe his raison d'être. It's not Kafkaesque at all, though. Marlowe understands the stakes and can fight to survive. And that's something you'll often feel anxious about, even when you know he can't possibly die (because it's the first book in the series).

The aspect of the story I love the most is the quirkiness, which is risky but works brilliantly due to the skilled storytelling. Marlowe comes across as a guy who can be sarcastic with a straight face. Of course, there are sinister elements to deal with, including pornographic elements (handled in a far more mature way than most espionage thrillers, too)… but a good, quick-witted sense of humor seldom fails when used appropriately, and Chandler does just that.

\\n  “I don’t mind if you don’t like my manners. They’re pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings.”\\n

The novel's central theme is the drab, constrictive metropolitan space. Although it's set in Southern California, the setting could really be any large city given the lack of exteriors. It's fascinating to know that this kind of atmospheric storytelling existed in the thriller genre even back then, though, of course, it isn't as easily imitated as the other elements of the story were. The city itself becomes a character in the novel, a stylization that was appreciated when directors adapted it into movies like Chinatown, L.A. Confidential, Heat, or Collateral.

\\n  “I’m a copper,” he said. “Just a plain ordinary copper. Reasonably honest. As honest as you could expect a man to be in a world where it’s out of style.”\\n

Even though this is Chandler's first Marlowe narrative, the character isn't introduced in the traditional way (like Conan Doyle did with Watson or Holmes). Instead, we're thrown right into the investigation as it begins. A new type of "hero" who only seems to act when there's a case to solve is crucial to the nature of both the setting and the character. We know nothing about his past, and the only time we see him return to his office is when a lead has run its course.

I read online that many people have compared the shabby fallibility of Marlowe to Sergio Leone's Man With No Name — a heavy drinker who always seems to be beaten up by men and women—yet has an almost supernatural authority, allowing him to calmly navigate the case's twists and turns, observing and randomly following leads and providence until a solution is finally reached. But we're living in a time with an overdose of thriller and crime stories, so ask anyone, and they can find at least half a dozen stories with the same narrative format for you.

Of course, it's supposed to add an aura of mystery (perhaps even a mythical one, in some cases if the readers allow it) to the protagonist. Now, I can't say if it had the impact on me that it would have if I'd read it when it was first published (strictly hypothetical and nonsensical), but The Big Sleep is practically everything I could ask for in hardboiled crime fiction. It's complicated but not for the sake of being convoluted, it's atmospheric… can I just cut to the end of my praise and say that you should read it?

Yeah, that's that.

\\n  “If I had a razor, I'd cut your throat - just to see what ran out of it.\\"

\\"Caterpillar blood,\\" I said.”\\n

General Sternwood, a wealthy millionaire residing in 1930s Los Angeles, decides to hire Phillip Marlowe to look into a man who alleges to possess controversial photos of his socialite daughter. As Marlowe delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers that the situation is far more complex than he initially anticipated.

In recent years, I have developed a strong penchant for detective fiction. However, in the past few months, I have been eager to explore the hard-boiled and noir sub-genre. What better place to begin than with a work that is regarded as one of the founding fathers of all modern detective fiction.

Chandler not only presents us with a captivating mystery but also showcases his highly respected original style. After completing this book, I can understand why his prose had such a profound influence on a generation of writers. There are numerous memorable quotes within its pages! I have selected just a few of my favorites, but there are many more that I can scarcely recall.

It must have been an extraordinary experience to be an enthusiastic reader when this book was first published in 1939. To read something so unique and refreshing, something that was truly special and rare at that time, must have been a delight. With the plethora of signature characters and series that now inundate bookstores, it is difficult to envision the impact of seeing something like this for the very first time.

After just one encounter with Marlowe, I have undoubtedly become a fan, and I am eagerly anticipating getting my hands on the subsequent novels.

In this game, knights held no significance. It simply wasn't a game designed for them.

Knight, as a traditional and noble figure, often symbolizes honor, courage, and chivalry. However, in this particular game, these qualities seemed to have no place.

The rules and mechanics of the game might have been such that the skills and characteristics that knights possess were not relevant or advantageous.

Perhaps the game required different strategies, abilities, or mindsets that were not within the purview of knights.

It could be that the game was more focused on other aspects such as agility, intelligence, or adaptability.

Whatever the reason, it was clear that knights had no meaning in this game. They were like fish out of water, unable to施展 their usual skills and fulfill their expected roles.

This realization might have come as a surprise or disappointment to those who associated knights with power and success in other contexts.

Nevertheless, it also served as a reminder that different games call for different approaches and that not all skills and qualities are equally valuable in every situation.

The only reason I didn't award this book a full 5 stars and instead opted for a rather despicable 4-star rating is that Philip Marlowe doesn't have vegetarian half-dark-elf assassins or Dead Men as his sidekicks. Glen Cook, you are entirely to blame for this. You have truly ruined me forever. It's as if you've set a new standard in my mind for what a character's sidekicks should be like. Now, whenever I read about a detective like Marlowe, I can't help but compare and feel a bit disappointed. Your creation of unique and fascinating sidekicks in your Garrett P.I. series has spoiled me. I find myself constantly looking for that same level of eccentricity and charm in other books. But alas, it seems that nothing quite measures up. .

A more appropriate title might have been THE BIG SNOOZE!

I find myself truly baffled, wondering what on earth the gods of literary history were thinking when they bestowed the status of a classic and a landmark achievement in the history of “hard-boiled” detective fiction upon THE BIG SLEEP. From my vantage point as a thoroughly perplexed reader who struggled in vain to untangle an actual plot, this story was a convoluted, byzantine, and tortuous mess. It unfolded at a painfully slow pace, making it a slog to get through. The tale was rife with deceit, blackmail, extortion, lust, seduction, murder, and even pornography.

Even conceding that the social milieu of the Prohibition era was a vastly different place with cultural norms that are now foreign to our modern sensibilities, the level of misogyny, racism, and homophobia on every single page was simply off the charts and intolerable. The self-assured, swaggering machismo of the men, contrasted with the grotesque caricature of women as clueless bimbos, often unclothed and driven by sexual lust and material greed, presented in conversations peppered with tiresome and arcane street slang and euphemisms, served to transform THE BIG SLEEP into what could perhaps more accurately be characterized as an early parody of detective fiction to come.

Then there is the matter of alcohol. When I reviewed Hemingway’s erstwhile classic THE SUN ALSO RISES, I penned, ”If THE SUN ALSO RISES has a theme, perhaps it is the character’s recognition of the ability of copious and endless quantities of alcohol at any time of the day or night (or perhaps more accurately, at ALL times of the day and night) to render their thought processes immune to the wear and tear that might be caused by the recognition of their other shortcomings.” I highly doubt it, but it does seem a distinct possibility that Raymond Chandler was a Hemingway enthusiast and used THE SUN ALSO RISES as inspiration for his characters’ penchant for booze and their all-day, anytime, any-reason drinking habits.

The back cover blurb from the Los Angeles Times proclaims, “Marlowe remains the quintessential urban private eye.” Well, not in my opinion. This book is definitely not recommended.

Paul Weiss

I was really on the fence about how to rate this book.

This particular genre is completely new to me, and I wasn't sure what to expect at first.

However, as I delved deeper into the story, the piquant narrator and his unique perspective truly won me over.

The book is an extremely entertaining read. It moves at a brisk pace, which keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Surprisingly, even though a black and white movie seems to play out in your brain as you read, it doesn't detract from the experience.

I constantly had to remind myself that the story was set in 1939, and that perhaps people really did communicate in such a manner back then.

This is also the first book of Chandler's that I have read, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the improvement in his other works.

I plan to space them out and read them whenever I'm in need of a fix of that hardboiled noir atmosphere.

Overall, I'm quite glad I gave this book a chance.

The Big Sleep is the quintessential noir, and it is truly worth reading just for the similes alone. Chandler was an absolute master when it came to creating ambiance.

The plot, although it can be a bit confusing at times, has its own charm. And while I didn't always understand the slang used, it was as if I was taking a step into a bygone era.

The story unfolds in a world of mystery and intrigue, with characters that are both complex and captivating. Chandler's writing style is so vivid that it makes you feel as if you are right there in the middle of the action.

Whether you are a fan of noir literature or just looking for a good read, The Big Sleep is definitely a book that you should check out. It will transport you to a different time and place, and leave you with a sense of satisfaction and wonder.

So, go ahead and pick up a copy of The Big Sleep, and let Chandler's masterful storytelling take you on a journey that you won't soon forget.

I listened to this as an Audiobook. The reason was that I was afraid my home counties English accent wouldn't do it justice. And it turned out to be a great decision.

The narration was extremely smooth, just like the grease on a 50s rocker. The narrator, Ray Porter, did the over-the-top voices that these exaggerated characters truly deserve. I listened to it during my daily lockdown exercise walks in the nearby woods. It was enjoyable to experience the contrast between the peaceful nature around me and the seedy, crime-ridden Los Angeles described in the tale.

I have a passion for noir and neo-noir movies. So, it was a great pleasure to read one of the original hardboiled novels that have inspired so many of them. It was interesting to observe how many of the tropes and formulae have directly translated to the big screen. Especially in the emphasis on character and mood rather than just the mystery to be solved. And also in the way Phillip Marlowe stumbles upon one new character after another in a meandering fashion, so that each scene serves as a showcase for their larger-than-life characteristics. This can be seen in movies like The Big Lebowski or more recently in David Robert Mitchell's excellent Under the Silver Lake. Both of these movies also feature rich patriarchs with similarities to The Big Sleep’s General Sternwood.

I also adored the slang used in the book. Words like Dick, slicker, shill, hooch, hotcha, nix, and so on. There were plenty of new terms, but usually, you could understand the meaning from the context.

However, there is a significant amount of misogyny and homophobia in the book, both hidden and blatant. This is not so great. It comes from the characters, but you get the impression that Chandler's views are not far off. The female characters are all what I imagine the word 'hussy' is used to describe. While most of the characters are depraved reprobates, the women seem particularly low. And the term fag is used liberally.

And, of course, there are the mind-boggling similes. There are similes everywhere. And I will conclude this review with a few of them.

If you like these, you will probably enjoy the book:

“They smelled as overpowering as boiling alcohol under a blanket.”

“Her eyes narrowed until they were a faint greenish glitter, like a forest pool far back in the shadow of trees.”

“I was as empty of life as a scarecrow’s pockets.”

“She lowered her lashes until they almost cuddled her cheeks and slowly raised them again, like a theater curtain.”

“Her eyes [were] large and dark and empty as rain barrels in a drought.”

“A few locks of dry white hair clung to his scalp, like wild flowers fighting for life on a bare rock.”

"Hair like steel wool grew far back on his head.”

"Blood began to move around in me, like a prospective tenant looking over a house.”

Raymond Chandler introduced his iconic private eye Philip Marlowe in 1939. Since then, countless hardboiled detective novels have been written. These novels are set in a seedy world of crooked cops, organized crime, and double-crossing grifters. In such a world, an honest detective can trust no one, not even their client.

"The Big Sleep" is a masterpiece of American literature. It has all the elements of a great novel, including well-developed characters, a complex plot, vivid scenes, suspense, sharp dialogue, and a unique atmosphere and tone. Let's take a closer look at some of the characters in "The Big Sleep".
Carmen Sternwood is a young and delicate woman, but she looks durable. She has a tawny wave of hair and slate-gray eyes. Vivian Regan is a tall and rangy woman with black hair and hot black eyes. Gangster Eddie Mars is a gray man with polished black shoes and scarlet diamonds in his tie. District Attorney Wilde is a middle-aged plump man with clear blue eyes. Police Captain Cronjager is a cold-eyed hatchet-faced man. Grifter Harry Jones is a very small man with tight brilliant eyes. Hitman Mr. Canino has a cool face and cool dark eyes.
Each of these characters is unique and adds to the rich tapestry of "The Big Sleep". Chandler's attention to detail and his ability to create vivid and memorable characters are what make this novel a classic.
In conclusion, "The Big Sleep" is a must-read for anyone who loves hardboiled detective novels. It is a masterpiece of American literature that has stood the test of time. Raymond Chandler's writing style and his ability to create a seedy and dangerous world are truly remarkable.