The Big Sleep

One of the best

One of the best of its kind. Twisty plot, compelling characters, very well written. Lots to read between the lines. I doubt there's much I can add to what is widely recognized about this excellent novel.

Dated, Yes, Entertaining, Very Much

Nobody understood hardboiled language better than Chandler. Some of his sentences are blatantly bad in terms of grammar, but who really cares? I noticed someone mentioned the different ways of looking at the world. I imagine they are talking about the view of women and minorities. What the heck do you expect? Everyone's attitudes were different back then. Do we judge Greek plays for their atavistic features? No. Don't worry about stuff like that and I promise you you'll actually live longer! As for The Big Sleep, the one thing that has always sort of bothered me about Raymond Chandler books is that the mysteries don't quite add up. In The Big Sleep, there are actually murders that go unaccounted for. It makes it seem as though it was easy to shoot someone back in old L.A. Tht just wasn't true. Nevertheless, this is an entertaining read, like all of Chandler's books. Highly recommended.

a matter of time dating the mystery.

I found Raymond Chandler's classic to be terrific but oh what a diffeerent
way of looking at the world in his novel's day vs today. In spite of that
I def recommend.

Captivating detective novel.

You certainly can`t put this book down.It was my first novel by Chandler and now I have finished reading the third one.I normally wouldn`t read detective stories but this is original.Chandler has a distinguished style that stands out.I don`t think I will be buying more by the same author though after finishing the third book.It becomes a little too predictable.

Still a classic

It is an easy read, that keeps your attention. Perfect for late night in the Summer when you wish to escape in a good read.

The original noir

I love this book. The way the naritive lays out in first person like velvet. If you feel like youve heard this kind of narative before, you have, from every imitator that has followed in the original's footsteps.

Fun Reading (pardon the redundancy)

Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlow is an intoxicating character. As someone who wasn't a mystery fan, but who has recently become one, I have found Chandler second only to Dashiell Hammett.

Outstanding

Whoowee!!! Just finished it. My first Raymond Chandler--but it certainly won't be the last. I have stayed away from this book for years because the movie with Bogey and Bacall is one of my all-time favorites. I shouldn't have done that. I loved the book just as much as the movie. Will certainly continue to both read it and watch it. Although I am a dyed-in-the-wool Christie fan, I found Chandler to be easier to read. He doesn't give you 25 characters to keep track of.
Chandler is a winner--no doubt about it. SQ

Classic Detective Novel

Raymond Chandler¿s The Big Sleep is an excellent detective novel. It centers on the escapades of Phillip Marlowe, a cynical private investigator with a cool head. Marlowe is hired at first to quash a straightforward blackmail threat, but he becomes entangled in a much more complex plot. Chandler lays out a riveting story of twists and turns much of the success of the novel, however, is due not to the plot, but in Chandler¿s enchanting hardboiled style. The dark 1930s Los Angeles underground that the author paints is the perfect arena for Marlowe¿s hardened street smarts to shine. Chandler¿s world is one of shady characters and little innocence, and Marlowe¿s hide continually relies on the quickness of his wits and a little bit of luck. Luckily, Marlowe¿s wits are considerable, because immediately upon taking a case from old General Sternwood, he is plunged into dangerous caper after caper. The action is gripping and sudden the writing is terse and witty. Marlowe, the story¿s narrator, comes off as a skilled veteran of too many alley fights to wear much of a smile. He has good intentions, but he is cold and world-weary. Many of the characters of the story are similar: weathered citizens of the underground. The emotional, in Marlowe¿s world, are for the most part, amateurs. They are also the largest perpetrators of errors in judgment. The professionals all seem to have seen enough to know that there is little worth getting excited about in their world. Much of the success of the novel is owed to the mood that Chandler is able to paint. The quick-thinking detective must navigate the shady underworld in classic fashion. Meanwhile, the plot develops at a quick pace. It thickens into seemingly endless complexities, but never loses its hold on the reader. The novel somehow manages to have a meticulous plot development with fast paced action. Marlowe troops fearlessly through the California streets, piecing together mystery solutions through use of both brawn and brain. Marlowe is unafraid of asking questions at gunpoint, or answering at same. The story is captivatingly told from his point of view the seemingly mundane is interesting, and the interesting is shockingly routine from his level-headed perspective. Marlowe¿s character allows the novel to develop into an excellent, hardboiled mystery tale.

A reviewer

I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I have to say I really enjoyed it and thought it was very well written. Even though it didn't really pose any deep or intellectual questions (like books I usually like), the dialogue in this book was so life like, clever, and witty that I became really absorbed in it. The plot is a bit hard to follow at times, with the various characters and events, but in all it is written in a way that really brings the reader into it. I could also believe the actual characters and their natures, which is another reason why the book grabs the reader and takes them into the plot's mystery. Overall I would recommend this book, because it offers a kind of narrative that is not seen anymore and is refreshingly different.

a book crying out successfully for a great movie version

THE BIG SLEEP was fortunately made into a movie with Bogie and Bacall back when Hollywood thought it o.k. for the film to follow the book pretty closely. The one complements the other. Neither should be missed. *** The book, alas, is more story than mystery. It is good from time to time to go back to the canons of the Detection Club of London and remember that the best detective story is a SHORT story. Think of FATHER BROWN as a good example of the truth. *** Chandler lets himself wander off into a world of admittedly fascinating seedy characters without making them contribute their fair share of clues to unraveling the puzzle. But a good yarn, for all that.

Love this book!

Raymond Chandler not only presents interesting characters in 'The Big Sleep', but he does it with thoughtful originality. I am getting tired of writers who can only present their characters thru swear words. Today's writers can take a huge lesson from Raymond Chandler. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

The original detective noir genre that started it all

Raymond Chandler, the author, is the definitive writer of the detective genre. His wise-cracking, earthy detective Philip Marlowe constantly sticks his nose into dangerous places, sometimes catching the far end of a swinging fist for his troubles. And trouble is a euphemism for his working life. His books led to the creation of several famous films with Humphrey Bogart playing Marlowe. But having seen the movies, there is no comparison to the quality of Chandler's original prose. Here are a few witty samples full of imagery from his books: 'I was neat, clean, shaved and sober, and I didn't care who knew it.' 'I was as empty of life as a scarecrow's pockets.' '... he looked as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.' 'He looked as nervous as a brick wall.' Chandler's stories move fast and contain a lot of action, just like his protagonist. Marlowe's character is a bit of a blue-collar cynic, an occasional ladies' man, a rebel, and a steadfast (but sometimes puzzlingly) honest man. Marlowe is just an average guy who just happens to solve cases involving the rich and beautiful (and their dirty little secrets) in mid-twentieth century LA. And I suppose Marlowe's fast-talking, action-oriented character is one most of us average guys could identify with, which accounts for the success of his books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I don't usually like reading fiction - and highly recommend it. Chandler really is a pleasure to read. Why couldn't we have read something like this just once in my high school English lit classes!?

MUST READ

Wow! A graet mystery. This story is about murder, sex, and blackmail. The story keeps you guessing. If you like figuring out stuff, this one would be the one to read. A good plot. I was overwhelm with the characters. All were interesting. I couldn't put this book down. Chandler wrote a good mystery. I like his style of writing. I kept guessing and guessing, but I didn't figure out the suspect til right at the end. This was fun playing detective. I loved this book!!

A Great Read for Detective Wanna B's

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler is a great detective story. It portrays Philip Marlowe, a private investigator, on a case in Los Angeles that involves murder, blackmail, and sex. Chandler writes with such detail and uses language so wretched, you wouldn't think this novel was written in the 1930's. Its not really the setting or the plot that makes the story come alive, it's Chandlers writing. This is my first Ray Chandler book, but not the last.

The Best Marlowe Novel!!!!!

This book is Raymond Chandler's first, and best. It introduces private eye Philip Marlowe to readers. Marlowe is a 'knight in shining armor' roaming the streets of Los Angeles protecting those who can't protect themselves. The Big Sleep is a joy to read and one of the best detective novels ever.

A great read at a great price

The Big Sleep belongs in every home library. This is my favorite if Raymonds Chandler's stories for the masterful similies and the Hard-Boiled language as well as a great, great read. If you've never taken in the Hard Boilded detective novel, I recommend this as your first. The voices and characters are amazing. You really get a taste of the 20th century detective novel here. The plot is superb. And if your're an expert, this will surely sharpen your literary detective skills.

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