What a book!

The brisk prose simply captivates the reader from the very first page. It flows with a rhythm and energy that makes it impossible to put down.

The world-worn attitude expressed within the book gives it a sense of authenticity and depth. It seems as if the author has experienced a great deal of life and is sharing their wisdom and insights with the reader.

And then there's the smell of legitimate "cool" wafting from the pages themselves. It's as if the book has its own unique charm and allure that draws you in and makes you want to explore its contents further.

Overall, this book is truly a masterpiece. It combines engaging prose, a relatable attitude, and a certain je ne sais quoi that makes it stand out from the rest. Whether you're a book lover or just looking for something new to read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

The 2011 - 2012 Re-read...
A paralyzed millionaire, General Sternwood, hires Los Angeles private eye Philip Marlowe to have a talk with a blackmailer who has his hooks in his daughter. But what does his daughter's missing husband, Rusty Regan, have to do with it? Marlowe's case will get him entangled in a web of pornography and gambling from which he may never escape...
For the last few years, my relationship with noir detective fiction has been as intertwined as that of strippers and c-section scars. When the Pulp Fiction group announced this as its January group read, I knew it was time to reacquaint myself with one of the books that started the genre.
I had forgotten most of the book in the past ten years, so it was like reading a completely new one. One of the things that immediately grabbed me was how poetic Raymond Chandler's prose seemed at times. I initially intended to write down some of the more clever bits, but I quickly abandoned that idea in favor of simply letting myself be carried along for the ride.
For many of today's readers, the plot and Philip Marlowe himself might not seem that original. This is because people have been ripping off Raymond Chandler for decades! However, Marlowe is the real deal. Now that I've read a few hundred more detective books since my original reading, I can truly appreciate how influential Marlowe is as a character.
The plot is actually a lot more complex than it originally appeared. I almost wish I didn't know that the plot of the Big Lebowski was partly lifted from the Big Sleep. I couldn't help but picture characters from the movie while I was reading. In fact, the plot is almost inconsequential. The atmosphere and language are the real stars of the show.
Five stars. If you're a fan of noir and haven't read this, stop what you're doing right now and get started!

Too cool for school.

The gin flowed freely, and my favorite scene was that of the old, rich invalid in the greenhouse filled with orchids, intently watching Marlo drink. This was because the old man could no longer partake in the pleasure of drinking himself.

This depression era novel not only created a unique atmosphere but also raised the noir genre to a level where very few books could rival the cool, untouchable power of Chandler's intricate yet satisfying style. Each sentence seems to be crafted with precision, drawing the reader into a world of mystery and intrigue.

The recent book by Saroff, Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder, comes close to matching Chandler's brilliance. However, to truly understand the real story behind the writing of this masterpiece, one should read the annotated version, The Annotated Big Sleep. If you've read it once, you'll surely want to read it a second, third, fourth time, and so on.

It's a book that keeps revealing new layers with each reading, making it a timeless classic in the world of literature.

This seminal work of the detective genre is truly remarkable. It introduced the iconic Los Angeles PI, Philip Marlowe. He operates on the fringes of the law, determined to work for his clients at all costs.

As we enter this world, we encounter wild women lurking in the shadows, dark and dimly lit streets that seem to hold countless secrets. There are hoodlums and grifters aplenty, and smokey bars where the atmosphere is thick with mystery. Marlowe is often seen lighting a woman's cigarette, adding to the allure of this gritty world.

Unlike the super intelligent upper class detectives of the past, Marlowe is an everyman. He is doing his best in a tough and unforgiving environment, sometimes having to brush with the grey edges around the law to get his job done. After my 2016 reread, I upped my rating from 5 out of 12 to 6 out of 12.

The image of Marlowe in this world is further enhanced by the accompanying gif, which shows a scene that perfectly captures the essence of this detective's adventures.

Overall, this work is a must-read for any fan of the detective genre.

Not my kind of book.

I understand that it was written in a different time, but I really didn't appreciate it.

The misogynistic portrayals of women in the book were quite offensive. It seemed as if the author had a very negative and demeaning view of women, which is unacceptable in today's society.

Moreover, the homophobic and racist remarks also made me uncomfortable. These kinds of discriminatory attitudes have no place in a good piece of literature.

I believe that books should strive to promote understanding, acceptance, and equality, rather than perpetuating harmful stereotypes and prejudices.

Although it may be a product of its time, this book fails to meet the standards of modern-day values and sensibilities.

I would not recommend it to others who are looking for a thought-provoking and inclusive read.

I truly liked The Big Sleep, yet not to the extent that I would wholeheartedly recommend it.

Philip Marlow, the protagonist, is indeed a remarkable character. His charm and wit make him stand out. However, when it comes to the other characters, I didn't have much of an affinity. There were simply too many of them, and not all of them were developed in a satisfactory manner.

Many of these secondary characters seemed to be included merely to convolute the plot and perplex the reader. It was a bit frustrating at times.

One couldn't help but wish that the General and his two daughters had more prominent roles. Their interactions with Marlowe were among the highlights of the book.

The humor in the story is excellent. Chandler has a knack for achieving the perfect blend of humor and melancholy.

Nevertheless, it feels as if he is overly preoccupied with flaunting the intricate plot, perhaps at the expense of a more engaging and well-rounded narrative.

Overall, The Big Sleep has its strengths, but it also has its flaws that prevent it from being a truly outstanding piece of literature.

My first encounter with Chandler has been a truly enjoyable one, as I was introduced to the captivating world of Philip Marlowe.

The story revolves around a wealthy family, with elements of possible blackmail and the mysterious disappearance of the Patriarch's friend. It creates an atmosphere that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

The book offers a wonderful snapshot of 1930s Greater Los Angeles, bringing together characters from different walks of life. We have the rich and privileged, those from downtown, and even some from the sleazy areas. This diverse cast includes wealthy individuals, small-time crooks, and a couple of bigger-time criminals, all interacting in a web of intrigue.

As many others have noted, Chandler's writing is indeed of a high caliber. Two of my favorite passages are: "..But nobody's going to break your heart, if it hasn't been done already. And it would take an awful lot of chisellers an awful lot of time to rob you of enough so that you'd even notice it\\".

"His thin claw like hands were folded loosely on the rug, purple-nailed. A few locks of dry white hair clung to his scalp, like wild flowers fighting for life on a bare rock\\". These lines paint vivid pictures and add depth to the story.

Iconic Hard Boiled Detective Story

This was a truly engaging read. Set in 1939, it was a product of its times, which unfortunately meant it had elements of sexism and homophobia. However, when considered within its historical context, these aspects were rather typical.

The story unfolds in Hollywood, California and its neighboring towns. Philip Marlowe, a hard-boiled private detective, is hired by General Sternwood to deal with Arthur Geiger's attempt to blackmail his youngest daughter, Carmen. Meanwhile, Vivian, the older daughter, believes Marlowe was hired to find her missing husband, Rusty Regan.

The plot thickens and becomes quite convoluted. Marlowe discovers Geiger's bookstore, but Geiger is missing and someone is moving the stock. I won't spoil the entire story as it is full of intricate details.

The characters are diverse and interesting. Marlowe, the cynical narrator, has his own moral code and is incorruptible. General Sternwood is elderly and ill, while his daughters Carmen and Vivian are sources of trouble. Carmen is a giggling ditz, and Vivian is a beautiful gambler. There are also many other characters, each with their own motives and secrets.

Despite a few plot holes and unbelievable moments, this classic detective story is still enjoyable. The ending was a surprise, and Chandler's spare prose style is wonderful. The book is filled with great phrases that add to its charm. Overall, it's a must-read for fans of the genre.

Do yourself a massive favor and read this one.

It truly belongs on every personal bookshelf.

This remarkable piece of writing offers a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and entertainment.

It has the power to transport you to different worlds, expand your horizons, and challenge your thinking.

Whether you are a passionate reader or someone who is just starting to explore the joys of literature, this book is a must-have.

It will engage you from the very first page and keep you hooked until the very end.

So don't hesitate, add this gem to your collection today and discover the countless benefits it has to offer.

You won't be disappointed.

Since I've been indulging in a plethora of detective-type urban fantasy recently, I made up my mind to pick up one of the original texts of this genre, simply to get a sense of what it was like.

Chandler penned this work way back in 1939, and astonishingly, the book has endured remarkably well despite the passage of 70 years.

It is highly readable. Granted, some of the slang might be a bit晦涩难懂, but not nearly to the extent one might expect.

Moreover, some of the intuitive leaps that Philip Marlow makes can be a little challenging to fathom. However, I'm not certain if this is due to:

1) The cultural divide between the present and the era when the novels were written.

2) The presumption that readers back then were more willing to exert a bit more effort.

3) The fact that this was Chandler's maiden novel.

What intrigued me the most were the aspects of the novel that had nothing to do with the story per se. Marlowe frequently laments about the corruption in society and the government, and I had always regarded that as a relatively modern sensibility.

Nevertheless, the most significant and pervasive obstacle to fully enjoying the book is the fact that racism and sexism are moderately prevalent. It's not on par with something as malicious as "Birth of a Nation," but the reality remains that Marlow slaps a woman a couple of times to bring her to her senses. And there is open talk demonizing "queers" and "fags."

In many ways, it's similar to "Gone with the Wind." There is racism, sexism, and casual violence against women. Given the time period, it's difficult to envision how one could tell a story set in that era and location without these elements. It all seems like a very natural part of the story, and so matter-of-fact that it's almost inoffensive.

That being said, I'm not sure if this makes it better or worse than something malicious and blatantly attempting to promote these toxic views. We tend to be more aware of propaganda, and thus it's easier to think about and potentially resist. Propaganda is like someone standing too close to you, speaking too loudly, and poking you in the chest with a finger. It's pushy, and for the most part, humans resent and resist being pushed.

However, stories like this, where these toxic elements seem like inherent parts of the genre, world, culture, or story... they are persuasive in a way that blatant persuasion can never be. They are like visiting a cool loft apartment in a repurposed warehouse. It's quirky, interesting, and cool people inhabit it, but also all the old industrial solvents have seeped into the brick, and so every time you go there, without even realizing it, you inhale a significant amount of benzine. And when you touch the banisters or walk around barefoot, you absorb just a little lead from the old paint. And so every time you visit, just by passing through, you become ever so slightly poisoned without even being aware of it....

That said, this was a book that played a crucial role in founding a genre. And upon reading it now, I can see how countless people have been following in Chandler's footsteps. Many of the tropes were clearly established by him, and they persist to this day.

All in all, it's a complex yet worthwhile read, depending on how much you're interested in the history of a particular type of story. But it's probably more informative than outright enjoyable.

(Note: I originally wrote this review back in 2013, and today (in March of 2021, 8 years later) someone brought to my attention that some of what I originally wrote about the problematic elements of this book were themselves problematic. After re-reading it, I realized I hadn't done a good job of communicating what I truly meant to say. So I've revised this to make my thoughts more lucid.)

A wonderful mystery unfolds, set during the glamorous era of Art Deco in Los Angeles. The city is alive with the glitz and charm of that bygone era, with its sleek buildings and stylish inhabitants. As I delve into this mystery, I can almost hear the smooth voice of Humphrey Bogart, adding an air of authenticity and intrigue to the story. The details are rich and vivid, painting a picture of a world full of secrets and surprises. I find myself completely immersed in this captivating tale, eager to uncover the truth and solve the mystery that lies at its heart.

Jar of Death Pick #30

I've never watched the movie The Big Sleep, yet I own the DVD. I bought it with the intention that one day I would watch it, as it's on my list of movies to watch before I die. However, before watching the movie, I wanted to read the book first. I've owned this book for almost 10 years, but I was a little scared to read it. Classics can be hit or miss for me, and I've found that I prefer noir movies over noir books. I just think noir is better as a visual art form.

Now, let's talk about my thoughts on the book. The Big Sleep is about the infamous private eye Philip Marlowe. Marlowe is a tough-talking, hard-drinking, grizzled womanizer. He is tasked with finding out who is blackmailing a wheelchair-bound millionaire. Marlowe thinks this will be easy money, but he hadn't counted on the millionaire's two young and wild daughters. Marlowe knows he should stay away, but who can turn down a dangerous vixen?

I like to think of Phillip Marlowe as the precursor to James Bond. While Bond is slick, Marlowe is kind of grimy. Both men share a love/disdain for women, but I chalk that up to being men of their time. I enjoyed The Big Sleep, but I will admit that I was confused at times. This book contains a lot of 1930's slang. I did have to reread a page or two at several points because I missed a major plot point. That's the only thing that stops this from being a 5-star read. I had fun reading this book and I can't wait to meet Humphrey Bogart's Phillip Marlowe. A classic that I highly recommend!