The Big Sleep
Ratings220
Average rating3.8
Understatement of the century, but Raymond Chandler had a way with sentences like a Renaissance sculptor had a way with marble.
Fair warning: The book does contain some homophobic slurs. Not really surprising given that it was published in 1939.
This was a much more fun read than I expected for a “classic.” It’s a book of its time, meaning: expect misogyny, homophobia, and some words you dont know. And yet it’s just a good time - a true hard-boiled noir detective story. The plot can be a little tough to follow at times but if you’re patient and attuned to description and dialogue, it just really is the best embodiment of this genre I’ve encountered and is filled with lots of amazing and funny wise cracks and one-liners.
I wanted to like this one a lot more than I did. The vibe and aura was classic crime noir, but most of the book was the protagonist just describing his location. Meandering plot that followed (or maybe even defined) the classic trope of “well that wraps up this case nicely (halfway through the story). Oh, wait here's new evidence that changes the supposedly closed case.”
I didn't hate the book overall. I would try another by this guy just to get a better feel of the genre—especially since it's a quick and easy read.
Book Club Pick #15
I'm not going to actually rate the book because it's a classic, and people love it, and I'm sure for what it is, it's great...
I just hate what it is.
I know this is meant to be a classic of the genre, but yikes, this was not fine wine or gourmet cheese. It aged poorly enough for my eyes to be locked in a constant roll. While I don't read as widely as most folks, this has to be one of the most misogynistic pieces I've encountered to date (all the ditzy, seductress, objectifying stereotypes; way too much slapping; etc.).
Unless one of my trusted advisors offers up specific recs, I'm wary of giving this author another chance.
Gotta watch the 1946 movie now after reading this! Great mystery, tough talking P.I. of the 1930's! A bit of a problem trying to understand the “Lingo” of that time period!
This is a classic! David N.
I love noir and detective movies, I especially love noir detective movies. I'm not sure how I've read so much but never hit Chandler, one of the Ur-detective-noir novelists. Written in 1939 and in the genre its in, it's no surprise to find dated language and characterizations some (including myself) would find offensive today. You have to set that aside because they are ultimately manifestations of the world and setting Chandler is writing in. I loved the over-the-top noir of it all.
Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood to look into the gambling debts of his daughter Carmen, and he ends up getting pulled deeper and deeper into the life of the Sternwood family.
I listened to this as an audiobook on a long trip I took last week, and what a delight it was. The characters. The setting. The lingo. Pure delight.
Fantastic annotated version, provides tons of insights into the genre and 1940's LA.
5 stars and better the second go round. Ranks up there with The Maltese Falcon as some of the greatest mystery/noir books ever.
Sincerely have no idea why this is considered a classic. Even if one overlooks the unacceptable-by-today's-standards language, the plot and dialogue are atrocious. I had hoped to get some fun, mindless crime fiction out of this but found myself constantly hoping that the story would wrap up. Won't be recommending to friends.
Un clasico del genero detectivesco.
Trama compleja, detective inteligente, duro bebedor de whisky y fumador. Que no le importa meterle dos bofetadas a una chica o disparar a traicion si hace falta.
Muy lejos de las sensibilidades modernas, pero ya se sabe como eran aquellos años.
when we recorded our podcast about this I was desperately afraid that I would accidentally say “The Big Chill” instead of “The Big Sleep” tho IDK why because I've never seen The Big Chill. Anyway this book isn't really my cup of tea but like, it's fine if you're into that kind of thing.
https://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-166-the-big-sleep/
Frankly, I was amazed at how enjoyable this book was. I expected hyper-masculine, hard-boiled, plot driven nonsense. The plot is convoluted and somehow irrelevant. Philip Marlowe is obviously sad but cruelly observant. The descriptions are incredible my favorite part. The sexism was to be expected, but I was surprised and horrified by the gay-bashing. Still, I enjoyed the book very much.
Great crime fiction. Intricate but comprehensible plot. Loved the hard-boiled writing style. Some great male characters, but the female characters were disappointing—one-dimensional animals. Marlowe's thought, “Women make me sick,” kinda sums up the underlying misogyny.
I thought this would be a 5 star when I was in the early chapters. I liked the mood, the sardonic style, the steadily building intrigue. But the story simply never elevated above nice writing, for me. I didn't care about any of the characters - I wasn't really concerned who lived or died, or who committed the crimes, or where Rusty Regan had got to. It didn't affect me. I felt nothing. It was all cold. (“not as cold as her lips”)
Objectively, I can see it's an excellent bit of work, but I zoned out more than I should have, and I wasn't compelled to keep reading. I'd like to give it another go in the future, in case I'm missing something, or in case it just was the wrong time.
A good read, I couldn't help but hear Bogart in my head every time Marlowe spoke. I was a little surprised by the maturity of some of the content (filmed today, it would definitely be rated R), as well as some of the homophobic comments. I recognize and acknowledge that it is a product of its time and don't hold it against the book, but it was still unexpected.
Simple and to the point, this quick novel is an interesting look at the noir sub-genre.
I had to give this a shot. A pioneer of the sub-genre, The Big Sleep was all it was supposed to be. This is only the second Chandler novel I've read but there will certainly be more to come.
So this is classic pulp fiction / pulp noir / hardboiled genre.
When I was a kid my father watched Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer. I don't really remember much about it except the narration style, the dark imagery, the suit, the trenchcoat the hat, and the over sexualised women. It was the 80s version, Stacy Keach, and this book just oozes it.
I can't believe this book is so old. 1939. It has aged so well.
The narration in the first person, the sentences are short. For me reading it, I hear the narrators voice perfectly.
Enough waffling, here are some quotes:
I was wearing my powder blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them. I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn't care who knew it. I was everything the well-dressed private detective ought to be. I was calling on four million dollars. Page 1. Onto a winner here.
There was no top bolt. The catch gave. I climbed in and pulled the drapes off my face. Neither of the two people in the room paid any attention to the way I came in, although only one of them was dead. P36.
She was wearing a pair of long jade earrings. They were nice earrings and had probably cost a couple of hundred dollars. She wasn't wearing anything else. P37.
And then there are a whole lot of these one-liners, which mean nothing to me, but I love nevertheless:
He was a very small man, not more than five feet three and would hardly weigh as much as a butcher's thumb. P176 WTF?
He wore a blue uniform coat that fitted him the way a stall fits a horse. P186. Umm, dunno.
I got two Raymond Chandler novels in a box of books I bought, and now it is all I can do not to read the second...
After reading the Grimnoir Chronicles I was inspired to see what all the fuss is about. I was not disappointed.
While some allowances must be made for when it was written, it is an exciting mystery with plenty of action and, above all, amazing dialog. The plot was slightly convoluted and a little choppy in places, but mostly easy to follow. The ending was satisfying, although not what I was expecting. I'll be reading more of the Philip Marlowe series.
I really enjoyed this thriller which had me engaged from start to end. Although I've never seen the film the story felt like a black and white movie with Humphrey Bogart as Marlowe. It was filled with classic one liner descriptions that I felt were brilliant. A great piece of literature and a fantastic depiction of the times.
Classic tome by the master Chandler! Not more I can add to the reviews of others!