The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Big Sleep, please sign up.

Answered Questions (7)

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)
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)
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)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more