The Big Sleep (A Philip Marlowe Novel)

One of the most acclaimed works of crime fiction ever written, The Big Sleep is the first novel featuring Raymond Chandler’s iconic creation Philip Marlowe, hailed as the “quintessential urban private eye” (Los Angeles Times).
One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years
“Chandler seems to have created the culminating American hero: wised up, hopeful, thoughtful, adventurous, sentimental, cynical and rebellious.” —Robert B. Parker, The New York Times Book Review
When old man Sternwood, a dying millionaire, hires Philip Marlowe to expose the blackmailer of one of his troublesome daughters, Marlowe finds himself involved with more than simple extortion. Kidnapping, pornography, and seduction are just a few of the complications standing in the way of completing the task at hand. And just as Marlowe feels he’s getting ahold of the situation, he discovers the first body.
One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years
“Chandler seems to have created the culminating American hero: wised up, hopeful, thoughtful, adventurous, sentimental, cynical and rebellious.” —Robert B. Parker, The New York Times Book Review
When old man Sternwood, a dying millionaire, hires Philip Marlowe to expose the blackmailer of one of his troublesome daughters, Marlowe finds himself involved with more than simple extortion. Kidnapping, pornography, and seduction are just a few of the complications standing in the way of completing the task at hand. And just as Marlowe feels he’s getting ahold of the situation, he discovers the first body.
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Community Reviews
Found it hard to get into but ending good
Snooze fest
At first, I was put off by the misogynistic language, but then I got a hold of myself and thought of the language romance books use to describe men. Same idea, this is a bit of a male fantasy- being the private detective who's smarter than everyone surrounded by attractive women. I'm a huge nerd too, so I remembered how charming Star Trek's Picard made these stories look on the holodeck.
It dragged a lot in the second half but in the end, I liked how the story wrapped up well enough.
It dragged a lot in the second half but in the end, I liked how the story wrapped up well enough.
Our very first book. We didn't love it.
This book is a product of its time and there are some outdated ideas on women, race and sexuality - but goodness it's gorgeously written. I re-read this frequently. And I love the Bacall/Bogart film.
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