Questions About The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1)

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Answered Questions (7)

Is there a particular line up of these books that one should start with? You know what I mean, is there a first one that should be read? Thanks

Michael Grogan In answer to Salley, I believe Philip Marlowe's story chronology goes... 1. The Big Sleep (1939) 2. Farewell, My Lovely (1940) 3. The High Window (194…moreIn answer to Salley, I believe Philip Marlowe's story chronology goes... 1. The Big Sleep (1939) 2. Farewell, My Lovely (1940) 3. The High Window (1942) 4. The Lady in the Lake (1943) 5. The Little Sister (1949) 6. The Simple Art of Murder (1950) (short story collection) 7. The Long Goodbye (1953) 8. Playback (1958) 9. Poodle Springs (1988)* *Started 1958 by Chandler & completed by Robert B. Parker. (less)

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What age is this appropriate for?

Boy Blue Anyone who knows about sex, death and violence. Some get there much earlier than others. None of those three components are heavy in this book but the…moreAnyone who knows about sex, death and violence. Some get there much earlier than others. None of those three components are heavy in this book but they are present.(less)

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How did he drive a car and shoot a gun accurately with his hands cuffed behind his back? I read this a couple of times, and he is let loose after these things are done.

Brad Hodges His hands were cuffed in front of him

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Can anyone shed some light on this book racket by Geiger, I just don't understand exactly what he is supposed to be doing to be making dirty money?

Winter He curates a lending library of pornographic books.

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I had some of these feelings reading The Big Sleep last month: https://slate.com/culture/2018/07/raymond-chandler-in-the-age-of-metoo.html What do you think?

Jim O'Donnell For me, it's unrealistic to impose contemporary sensibilities on the work, considering the period during which Chandler wrote. I think Marlowe express…moreFor me, it's unrealistic to impose contemporary sensibilities on the work, considering the period during which Chandler wrote. I think Marlowe expresses some indelicate opinions or descriptions of some of the women in the stories, but I don't recall him regularly abusing the women characters or preying upon them for his benefit. On the contrary, I think that despite some of his words it's more clear in his actions that he generally maintains a soft spot for women in troubled situations. Consider too that in some of the books, namely The Little Sister and The Big Sleep, the action of the femme fatale character provides the impetus for the mystery Marlowe works to unravel. I think Marlowe generally affords women the benefit of the doubt although in some cases they are revealed to be duplicitous in their actions. (less)

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