The Long Goodbye

Reading this is part of an American literary education!

Raymond Chandler is a great and unique American writer. 'The Long Goodbye' is his finest work. He is most brilliant in his wonderful use of creative metaphor. Just singular! This book hooks you within the first few pages, then takes you on a winding, devious path through a mysterious episode in private eye Phillip Marlowe's life. Just when you think the story is ending, and you've figured it out, the author takes another twist, and off you go again, toward another dramatic, fascinating turn of the story. I read five fine books over my summer vacation, but this one takes the cake. What a hoot!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Mezmerizing storytelling.

Raymond Chandler is such an talented story teller that one can spend days in his writing and not notice the passage of time. His descriptions are vivid, his settings realistic, and his characters all too human. The range of emotions that reach out to the reader are breathtaking and well worth revisiting on a regular basis.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Chandler's Brilliant Swan Song

Okay, he did write a book after this. sort of. but this is his true final farewell. And it's one of the greatest books of the 20th century. the real 'mystery' that Chandler exposes is the brutal and barren nature of the human condition. A fierce blunt humorous and honest look at the fragile terrain of daily existence and moral absolutism.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My favorite Chandler

What can you say of Raymond Chandler? His dialog is still hip, his stories still taught, and his insight into human nature as profound, if not more so, than it was fifty years ago. I love this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An Unquestionable Classic!

I needed some reading material for vacation and decided to take along some recognized classics. I thoroughly enjoyed The Long Goodbye! Raymond Chandler always provides a good read no matter how many times you go back.

A Classic...

A masterpiece of the genre. The hard-boiled PI archetype.

amazing, one of my favorites

this book is a great detective tale, but so much more. it contains great characters, themes, and messages about L.A. the setting is great too, and marlowe of course is an awesome character who is complex, and his words and ideas carry this book along with the plot. this is not a detective novel, it is a book about friendship, society, and success.

Gritty Detective Fiction at its finest.

Great Read. Chandler uses Marlowe, the protagonist, to showcase his perception of human nature. He also does a great job with setting. I felt immersed in 1950's Los Angeles. I was impressed with the dialogue. The characters were well developed without them becoming 'preachy'. First rate.

The Best Chandler Book !!

As a huge fan, I have found this to be the best novel overall. Great plot, Marlowe at his best, and plenty of twists and turns to keep everyone gueessing are just a few of the better aspects of this book. This is a mystery book with STYLE!

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