The Big Sleep discussion

Hello Everyone,

I have recently finished reading The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler and absolutely loved it. Have you read the same and if so what were some of your thoughts?

Happy reading.

I have read The Big Sleep, and not only is it my favorite Raymond Chandler novel, it's definitely a contender for my favorite book of all time, period. I love everything about it--the plot, the characters, Philip Marlowe's irreverent, jaded, smart-ass first person narration, the terse and vivid writing--everything! Chandler turned pulp fiction and murder mysteries into the stuff of classic literature.

I just finished reading The Big Sleep. I like Raymond Chandler's straight forward style that works perfectly with his no-nonsense Marlowe. I also like the novel's 1940's setting, different from today's world, which is in itself interesting.

Not concerned about the serpentine plot? Okay the book was published in '39 so it isn't really a 1940's setting. On a Mary Tyler Moore episode, Lou Grant wants to demonstrate good writing to Mary. He picks up a book and starts reading aloud. It was the opening for The Red Wind, a story by Chandler. When you hear or read it, you want to pull down the brim of your fedora and button up your trench coat.