-
“classic hardboiled detective fiction. ”
Jesse O wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I'd never read anything by Chandler. I'd read another one...if only for the reminders of a "simpler" time.”
D. Sylvester wrote this review Sunday, October 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Phillip Marlowe investigates murder in upper class Valley home while dealing with his guilt from unknowingly abetting a murderer. All comes together in the climax of this detective novel ”
Jane H wrote this review Friday, October 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“masterpiece among chandler's works.”
behnam b wrote this review Tuesday, September 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoy this last Chandler story the best. It wears its heart on its sleeve, but where else would you rather have it?”
Mike T wrote this review Friday, June 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Mystery solved. We know why Chandler writes good American. He went to the same English school that PG Wodehouse did.”
PBP wrote this review Wednesday, April 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Like the pulp fiction portrayal of California in the 50s. ”
Dianne K wrote this review Wednesday, March 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Again, Marlowe gets involved by helping a friend. This time, among the wealthy of Los Angeles, who have even less honor and scruples than the poor and criminal. This is one of the most famous of Chandler's novels and incorporates the mix of sex, crime, duplicity, and murder Marlowe always seems to find on the shadowy folds of society. A good starter for Chandler, if you've never read any of his novels. It is long, however, so hang in there. Worth every minute.”
pearl wrote this review Monday, September 15 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“There's probably not much to be said that hasn't already. Though part of me couldn't shake the image of Steve Martin shaving his tongue in Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, this was a wonderful noir crime story. I haven't read much (if any) crime, but I can't imagine it getting better than this. Chandler has perfected a uniquely melodramatic delivery that can't help but seem gritty and real. I confess I was 2/3 through and thought the crime was solved...yet was riveted through to the final sentence.
LostThePlot wrote this review Saturday, July 19 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Thing: on page 250, Chandler references The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer (one of my ancestors). A drunken Roger Wade says to Marlowe: "Ever read The Golden Bough? No, too long for you. Shorter version though. Ought to read it. Proves our sexual habits are pure conventions like—wearing a black tie with a dinner jacket...."”
