Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Raymond Thornton Chandler (July 23, 1888 – March 26, 1959) was an American-British novelist and screenwriter. In 1932, at the age of forty-four, Chandler became a detective fiction writer after losing his job as an oil company executive during the Great Depression.

He always intended to be a poet (though his poems were dated, sappy and sentimental).
He sometimes tossed a whole manuscript and began again. He wrote to his agent in 1951: “That’s the hell of being the kind of writer who cannot plan anything, but has to make it up as he goes along and then try to make sense out of it.”
The famous pulp writer never meant to be only that.

Suggested read: The Long Goodbye (379 pages)

I will definitely be reading this but probably not until later in the month.

That is ok Blueberry, so many good reads this month and I know a couple other groups have some great reads too!

I think I shall begin it. At least I know there will be two of us reading it for the first time!

I plan to read this too - it’s been on my TBR list for ages. I will probably start it this week.

Let me know when Trisha and we can read a chapter or two at the same time :)

Jazzy wrote: "Let me know when Trisha and we can read a chapter or two at the same time :)"

Good idea, Jazzy. I aim to start it tomorrow (Tuesday) if that is ok with you.

Trisha wrote: "Good idea, Jazzy. I aim to start it tomorrow (Tuesday) if that is ok with you."

Okay! I'll take my copy with me to read to and from class, and then I can try to read some more before bed. How far shall we read at once?

I was thinking 5 or 6 chapters? More? Less?

I had a quick look & the chapters seem quite short. But you’re reading some other books too. Shall we aim for 4 chapters then comment some time on Wednesday? If you want to read less, or more, I don’t mind. I think I have more reading time available than you have, so I’ll try to fit in with what’s easiest for you. Guess we should use spoilers for our comments where necessary as others may want to read later in the month.
Forgot to tell you, I know nothing at all about this book!

I don't know anything really about THIS book, but I like Chandler and the books have been swapped back and forth amongst the Swing Dance Society :)

I read fairly fast sometimes, depends on the size of the print. This book looks okay.

Jazzy wrote: "I don't know anything really about THIS book, but I like Chandler and the books have been swapped back and forth amongst the Swing Dance Society :)

I read fairly fast sometimes, depends on the siz..."

That’s fine. Let’s see how it goes. Swing Dance? - sounds fun!

Oh yes, I am professionally trained!
I can dance well enough to follow and not really that good but I love it. I've been too ill to go for a while though, sadly. There are many great Swing Dance Societies in London - Swing Patrol is the best.

https://www.swingpatrol.co.uk/

These are my friends, but I'm not in the video. I did take some still photos at one of the locations though. My guitar teacher is in this too, he's playing the mandolin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewUhl...

Sorry Jazzy - I misread your message 8 above. Yes 5 or 6 chapters is fine for me - I only suggested 4 as I thought you wouldn’t have enough time to read more.

Jazzy wrote: "These are my friends, but I'm not in the video. I did take some still photos at one of the locations though. My guitar teacher is in this too, he's playing the mandolin.

https://www.youtube.com/w..."

What a great video - it’s lovely to see the locations as well as the dancing.

Jazzy what a fun time! Loved it.
Cannot imagine trying to dance on a bus?

The singer in the wash tub is a hoot! Thanks for sharing this.

Jazzy, thanks for the video. These dancers have tons of energy and looked they were having a blast. I noticed the mandolin player-he looks like a sweetie.

Lesle wrote: "Jazzy what a fun time! Loved it.
Cannot imagine trying to dance on a bus?

The singer in the wash tub is a hoot! Thanks for sharing this."

Hi Lesle, it's the Metro, not the bus, which is the local train transport system. I'm not sure we could dance on a bus either ahaha

The lad in the washtub is Rob Heron and the band is Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra! They're on Spotify if you want to hear more!

Rosemarie wrote: "Jazzy, thanks for the video. These dancers have tons of energy and looked they were having a blast. I noticed the mandolin player-he looks like a sweetie."

He's a darling and all of us 'silvers' just love him. I have a daughter his age :)

Trisha wrote: "Sorry Jazzy - I misread your message 8 above. Yes 5 or 6 chapters is fine for me - I only suggested 4 as I thought you wouldn’t have enough time to read more."

I didn't even get to start it I'm going to do that RIGHT NOW!

But yes swing dancing is fun, that dance in the video is a Shag routine, if you haven't starting swinging there's never a better time than the present!

Short chapters INDEED! - in less than 3 hours I've read 9 of them!

Jazzy wrote: "Short chapters INDEED! - in less than 3 hours I've read 9 of them!"

Funny! I have read the first 6. It’s ok I suppose, though the slang is hard work in places. I don’t particularly like the characters so at the moment don’t really care what happens. I suspect you’re loving it as you have read other books by Chandler. I read The Big Sleep, last year I think, & didn’t like it much.

I think i'm probably more used to the slang, as it will go with the swing dancing. A great reference is this book
Straight from the Fridge, Dad: A Dictionary of Hipster Slang

My review of that book "Reel in your tongue, Jazzbo, you're getting your shirt wet! This is an excellent book every hepcat should keep in his back pocket!"

Jazzy wrote: "I think i'm probably more used to the slang, as it will go with the swing dancing. A great reference is this book
Straight from the Fridge, Dad: A Dictionary of Hipster Slang"

Interesting. Yes, if you’re used to it the book is probably more enjoyable - I just find it irritating at the moment!

It's very interesting to me too! You know, I didn't realise there was any slang in it when I read it.

These things might help.
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/sl...

Sorry you're not enjoying it, I just love the tweaks he adds to his work. Like when the guy's foot was hanging out of the car "as if he had forgotten he had one."

Jazzy wrote: "It's very interesting to me too! You know, I didn't realise there was any slang in it when I read it.

These things might help.
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/sl..."

Thanks Jazzy. I’m amazed you didn’t notice the slang! An example from Chapter 1 “... his last dollar had gone into paying the check at The Dancers for a bit of high-class fluff that couldn’t stick around long enough to make sure he didn’t get tossed in the sneezer by some prowl car boys or rolled by a tough hackie and dumped out in a vacant lot.” That’s meant to be English - seriously?! I can guess roughly what it means, but I don’t enjoy reading it.

oh well, it IS American slang. I cut my teeth on film noir.
:)

fluff - (attractive girl, 'floozie')
sneezer (gaol)
prowl car boys - (police car/cops)
rolled - (mugged/robbed)
hackie - (cab driver)

Jazzy, I’ll try to read more today & catch up with you. But don’t wait for me if you want to keep reading. I should have more time today.

Don't feel pressured to keep reading the book if you really don't like it, but I hope you do find some redeeming qualities in Philip Marlowe :)

Jazzy wrote: "Don't feel pressured to keep reading the book if you really don't like it, but I hope you do find some redeeming qualities in Philip Marlowe :)"

Don’t worry, Jazzy. I read it when I had coffee mid morning & plan to read some more this evening. I don’t plan to abandon it!

Hurray!

My copy is 447 pages, and interestingly I read 74 pages yesterday. Nice numbers.

I can't resist, i'm heading into chapter 10.

I’ve just stopped reading for today - finished chapter 20. A bit more used to the language now, so it’s better than it was. As your message was over 4 hours ago I guess you’re ahead of me again! I hope to have some reading time tomorrow afternoon.

Reading Chandler is like unravelling a ball of tangled yarn, just when you think you've found the end you hit another knot.

Jazzy wrote: "Reading Chandler is like unravelling a ball of tangled yarn, just when you think you've found the end you hit another knot."

Great description, Jazzy! Despite some interruptions, I’m getting into it now. As you said before, he puts some lovely details in when you least expect them.

You won’t believe this - I finished reading it tonight! Jazzy, thank you so much, I wouldn’t have continued reading it without your encouragement. I’m still not a huge fan of the author, but I can see why he was so successful. I liked the subtle & rather cynical touches of humour & thought the plot was clever. I didn’t guess how it ended & actually thought it had ended a couple of times then found there was more.
A buddy read was perfect, it kept me reading through my initial confusion & dislike of the style & I learned a lot. Thank you - I hope you have enjoyed it too & that we can share other books in future.

Oh Good! I finished reading it yesterday as well, and didn't want to mention it! Yes I enjoyed it too, Chandler takes us this way and that and I like trying to see if i can guess where he's going next before he tells us. I enjoyed our buddy read and hope to do another one soon ! x

Jazzy wrote: "Oh Good! I finished reading it yesterday as well, and didn't want to mention it! Yes I enjoyed it too, Chandler takes us this way and that and I like trying to see if i can guess where he's going n..."

I thought you would finish yesterday, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I’d like to do another buddy read with you - we’ll have to see what books we could use.

I can set a buddy read up whenever you are ready, Trisha and Jazzy. And who knows? maybe more members will join you. 🙂

Rosemarie wrote: "I can set a buddy read up whenever you are ready, Trisha and Jazzy. And who knows? maybe more members will join you. 🙂"

Thank you, Rosemarie. Buddy reads are a great incentive to try something unfamiliar & give/receive encouragement when needed.

We're reading The Chalk Circle soon, i just have to find where I put my copy.

I'm halfway through. This one seems longer than it needs to be. Also fewer wittisms than usual for Raymond Chandler.