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A review by savaging
The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler
2.0
This is a book about men who have been traumatized and instead of dealing with their trauma they go numb. They don't feel anything anymore. They repress every emotion and instead violently fly off the handle at odd intervals.
Chandler didn't know he was writing that book. He thought instead his books were about tough guys and crazy dames. I can hear the ragged crime-noir voice that's supposed to narrate this story. But the men are just boring and mean, not tough, and as for women -- I'm not sure they're actually in this story. Just hurt men and a few cardboard cut-outs or blow-up dolls they ventriloquize into some wacky lady-antics. Like having lots of sex with everyone.
On the plus side, since the main character is a total jerk to everyone, he's occasionally a jerk to people who deserve it, like cops and the owning class.
Chandler didn't know he was writing that book. He thought instead his books were about tough guys and crazy dames. I can hear the ragged crime-noir voice that's supposed to narrate this story. But the men are just boring and mean, not tough, and as for women -- I'm not sure they're actually in this story. Just hurt men and a few cardboard cut-outs or blow-up dolls they ventriloquize into some wacky lady-antics. Like having lots of sex with everyone
Spoiler
or killing people in a hysterical rage or making up lies about your husband beating youOn the plus side, since the main character is a total jerk to everyone, he's occasionally a jerk to people who deserve it, like cops and the owning class.