The Big Sleep; Farewell, My Lovely; The High Window (Everyman's Library)

Candy for my mind.

I am generally not very interested in mystery/detective books and don't think that I've read any other than a few Sherlock Holmes books many years ago. That said, I picked this book up on a whim and really enjoyed it.The short novels included in this book all feature LA private eye Phillip Marlowe and are apparently set in the '30s and '40s. I really liked the following aspects of these novels:1) It is really fun to read Chandler's descriptions of the places, clothes, cars, slang, mannerisms, characters, etc. of the time. Marlowe's wise-crack observations, while cliched, often had me laughing out loud;2) While Chandler uses all of the stock characters (smooth but menacing nightclub owners, sultry crooners, wise-guy PIs, effete rich buffoons, etc.), he really makes most of them come alive with the dialogue and their interactions with each other. In other words, Chandler does a great job of taking what would seem to be card-board cut-out characters and breathing life into them;3) Marlowe is able to resolve most conflicts with a couple glasses of whiskey and some wise-cracks, especially if a "dame" is involved. Today, it seems like most such conflicts would be resolved with a burst of AK-47 fire or worse. While no doubt highly idealized, Chandler's more innocent world is appealing to read about.4) For what it is worth, I am a big fan of the Everyman's Library series (which this edition is part of)--they are attractive, have good heft, include a page-marker ribbon, etc.Probably my only criticism of these novels is that the plots are a bit contrived, but I guess that is part of the fun.TMR

I first came across Chandler when I heard the Coen brothers interview and discovered that 'The Big Lebowski' was written in the style of one (name itself being derived from 'The Big Sleep'). This alone interested me enough to buy and read The Big Sleep.Six novels later, I'm still reading Chandler novels, and still finding each and every one different, interesting and intriguing. The main character Marlowe is a wisecracking detective, wary of women - whom he obviously mistrusts - except for the "bad type of women", for whom he does not particularly care. He is also a complex, intelligent man, often an altruist who goes to some extraordinary lengths for his clients, even when he's not paid.Novels are usually set in 30's/40's Hollywood and Bay City (which is since called something else), and are especially nostalgic, if you've lived in the surrounding areas.Chandler's writing is funny and unique - the stories - all told in first person, are written so that the reader is both aware of Marlowe's conscious thoughts, and at the same time, when the ending or some pivotal point in the story arrives - is not. This point is not easy to describe, but it works extremely well - the stories are always amusing, captivating, and suspenseful.I will easily recommend any Chandler novel for anyone interested in mysteries, as well as to those that enjoy unconventional styles of storytelling.

All the stories are packed with action and very engaging. Of all the three novels, Chandler is at his best in Farewell, My Lovely with his concise, imaginative descriptions and metaphors that kept me amazed throughout.The Big Sleep is a solid novel with a good story rendered in unique prose. The High Window definitely drops in quality in my opinion, but still delivers a highly entertaining story.After reading these novels, I have little choice but to read the rest of his oeuvre to see if he attains the quality of writing he does in his second novel.

The first time I had encountered anything that had developed around the personality & activites of Philip Marlowe, the emotions that had flooded my mind can be summarised as the title of this review. Not only is Marlowe's world light-years away from the Victorian London in terms of time, space, characters, thought-process, but he himself is as different from Holmes as it is possible to imagine. But nevertheless, there are traits in him (I hope you have already noticed that I am not describing the novels in this book, because they are literary accomplishments way beyond my limited reviewing capacity, and better persons have spent reams upon them) that make him the template for any modern detective. If you know him, and are interested in reading his classic cases, this book and its companion volume are the best possible options, since they are sturdier than the Library of America volumes, and you should associate a certain degree of elegant rusticity with Chandler's works, shouldn't you? Highly recommended.

"Shake your business up and pour it. I haven't got all day." Pure Raymond Chandler.

I kind of grew up on these stories on Sat. afternoons, on the TV. Wasn't until recently, courtesy of my nephew, who is a writer, that I was enticed into reading the original stories. Now I'm very much a Hammet and Chandler fan. I love the nostalgia and being a California son, I know a lot of the territory they cover. I can see myself going into those buildings, driving those streets. You get a little frustrated with the hero when they screw up, but then remind yourself that, as do all humans, they make mistakes. Chandler is anything but mundane or boring. Highly recommended.

Not whether to get it -- for you must -- but which edition to get it in -- that is the question. And the Everyman's edition is the edition you want. It has three novels to Modern Library's two, and its paper is thicker than that of the Library of America edition. The font is a tad smaller than that in the Vintage Crime paperback editions, but still pleasantly readable. And the hardcover binding is a sturdy, beautiful and very strokable red cloth.As for the novels themselves, well, suffice to say, they are classics: addictive, page-turning, vivid, funny, haunting. The characters are original and believable. All rendered in tight prose and witty, convincing dialogues.Enjoy.

Para leer la prosa de Chandler en su idioma original casi nada mejor que esta elegante y cuidada edición de este clásico americano de la novela negra. Además la compra fue de un producto vendido de segunda mano casi nuevo y que estaba a muy buen precio, además de contener tres de sus novelas.

I read the copy from my local library, and wanted my own book. It will have a special place in my growing library.

So che dovrei recensire il libro, però mi prendo un attimo la libertà di criticare l'operare del corriere.Quindi tralasciando il contenuto del libro stesso che sarà sicuramente buono; non capisco cosa diavolo passi nella testa del corriere quando butta a terra il pacco senza nemmeno citofonare, in questo caso anche in balia dell'urina e dei denti del mio cane.Posso capire lo stress lavorativo sopratutto di questi tempi sopratutto per lavori come questo. Ma ritengo abbastanza antipatico gestire così i pacchi, questa è ben la seconda volta che succede. Per fortuna il libro è stato salvato in tempo ma il pacco era in mille pezzi.Non so, sarà uno dei vantaggi nel non pagare la spedizione con Prime.EDIT dopo il Servizio Clienti:Sono stato ascoltato e la situazione si è risolta tutto nel tempo di una giornata grazie al Servizio Clienti Amazon.it. Anche in questo caso voglio lasciarlo per iscritto, cambio anche il numero di stelle.

Very good quality

classic collection.