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slothrop_garp's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
acowbell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
debbins24's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racial slurs
ellasc's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
The book was classic Chandler, classic Marlowe.
However, I was unable to really enjoy it as there was far too much racism and misogyny.
It was a real struggle to keep on track with the story whenever a slur came up, so by the last few pages I was still trying to work out who certain characters were.
However, I was unable to really enjoy it as there was far too much racism and misogyny.
It was a real struggle to keep on track with the story whenever a slur came up, so by the last few pages I was still trying to work out who certain characters were.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Minor: Murder and Alcoholism
iteechesinglish's review against another edition
mysterious
4.0
Continuing my read through of the Philip Marlowe series. I originally read this is college. I had forgotten how much racist language there was in this book, that was an unfortunate rediscovery. The use of racist stereotypes is also problematic. If you can get past that, it's an entertaining read with plenty of adventure.
The plot starts with Marlowe following a suspicious man into a bar. The man claims to be looking for a woman named Velma. He's not in the mood to take no for an answer and kills someone when they don't have the information he's looking for. The man turns out to be "Moose" Mallow, an ex-con just released from prison. Marlowe decides the best way to find Moose is to look for Velma, but before he can get far he gets tangled up in another murder. Wealthy playboy Lindsay Marriott calls Marlowe asking for protection while paying ransom for some stolen jewels. The night goes badly and, Marlowe is taken from behind and when he comes to he finds Marriott has been killed. Fortunately the spunky and resourceful Anne Riordan stops to help. And so Marlowe begins to untangle two seemingly unrelated deaths and a fair amount of police corruption besides.
The mystery was okay, but not a jaw-dropping surprise. The portrayal of an honest private eye trying to make a living in a corrupt city is the main draw of these novels, and Philip Marlowe is definitely a fun character to read about.
The plot starts with Marlowe following a suspicious man into a bar. The man claims to be looking for a woman named Velma. He's not in the mood to take no for an answer and kills someone when they don't have the information he's looking for. The man turns out to be "Moose" Mallow, an ex-con just released from prison. Marlowe decides the best way to find Moose is to look for Velma, but before he can get far he gets tangled up in another murder. Wealthy playboy Lindsay Marriott calls Marlowe asking for protection while paying ransom for some stolen jewels. The night goes badly and, Marlowe is taken from behind and when he comes to he finds Marriott has been killed. Fortunately the spunky and resourceful Anne Riordan stops to help. And so Marlowe begins to untangle two seemingly unrelated deaths and a fair amount of police corruption besides.
The mystery was okay, but not a jaw-dropping surprise. The portrayal of an honest private eye trying to make a living in a corrupt city is the main draw of these novels, and Philip Marlowe is definitely a fun character to read about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
jarusesky's review against another edition
dark
funny
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Misogyny
geekface's review against another edition
This book is notably dated - racist and sexist - and I felt increasingly uncomfortable as I was reading it until I had to put it down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexism
breaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Xenophobia
daffodilcherry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book really opened my eyes on how Chandler essentially wrote the book on the hardboiled genre. His descriptions are so witty and funny, and you can't help but love Phillip Marlowe's dry snark. The plot is a little all over the place and difficult to follow, but nicely ties together. I really loved the writing, and highlighted a bunch of great lines, but the book also easily sent me to sleep, take that what you will. Wheelhouses: snarky narrator, hard-boiled detective, femme fatale, it's all connected.
Be aware of period-typical (lightly) racist remarks of black people (which happens within the first chapter) and Indians: black people are referred to as sh*nes and . At first it's difficult to tell whether Philip is disparaging about them, but as the book goes on it feels like he's sympathetic towards them, and is unimpressed/cynical with the cop who wants to ignore the murder of the black person as "another [black] killing." An Indian goon is described as very sweaty/unpleasant smelling and huge. I'm white so acknowledge that I'm privileged at being able to read past these things, but if these are likely to upset you I would recommend skipping the relevant chapters or choosing another book.
Be aware of period-typical (lightly) racist remarks of black people (which happens within the first chapter) and Indians:
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Gun violence