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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Oh, who cares about modernism and the avant guard when we have Marlowe's narration, his intelligence, his wit, and his self loathing. Perfection.
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A little too abridged, but that's to be expected with full-cast dramatizations. Excellent for what it was; the acting and delivery was great and very evocative of the period during which the story was written and set.
While I enjoy noir fiction, I didn't particularly enjoy this one. Other reviews have noted that the plot is unremarkable and I agree. One of the reviews informed me that this novel is actually a combination of three novellas. That's exactly how it reads. Two of them aren't very good. I wouldn't recommend the book, even if you enjoy the genre. It probably won't stop me from reading more Chandler in the future, though.
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
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: Gun violence, Racial slurs
I’ve fell completely in love with Raymond Chandler’s world of chain smoking, heavy drinking and mysteries as beautiful as the women that frame them. A rare skill to romanticise LA to this degree.
Didn’t think The Big Sleep could be beaten. But Farewell, My Lovely did that and then a whole lot more. Instantly went into my top book of all time.
Didn’t think The Big Sleep could be beaten. But Farewell, My Lovely did that and then a whole lot more. Instantly went into my top book of all time.