47 pages • 1 hour read
Farewell, My Lovely
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
292
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1940s
1940
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler is a noir crime drama where private investigator Philip Marlowe is drawn into a complex murder investigation involving ex-con Moose Malloy and the search for his old flame, Velma. The novel is a linear narrative told from Marlowe's critical, witty perspective, with detailed descriptions and a plot structured like a puzzle unraveling a larger mystery. The book includes topics such as violence, murder, and drug use.
Mysterious
Gritty
Dark
Suspenseful
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
44,314 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Raymond Chandler's Farewell, My Lovely is lauded for its rich, evocative prose and complex, engaging plot, making it a quintessential hard-boiled detective novel. Critics appreciate Chandler's sharp dialogue and atmospheric settings, though some note the convoluted narrative and dated social attitudes as drawbacks. The book remains a significant work in the genre.
Who Should Read Farewell, My Lovely?
A reader who would enjoy Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler is likely a fan of classic hardboiled detective fiction, rich in sharp dialogue and gritty noir atmosphere. Comparable interests include The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett and The Big Sleep by Chandler himself. This reader appreciates complex plots and morally ambiguous characters.
44,314 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Moose Malloy
Moose Malloy
A large man who sets off the main events of the story while searching for his ex-fiancé, characterized by his strength and past time spent in prison.
Mrs. Grayle/Velma
Mrs. Grayle/Velma
A woman with a past as a nightclub singer, now living a lavish lifestyle, notably striking with her dual identities and intricate relationships.
Anne Riordan
Anne Riordan
A quiet and intelligent woman who stands in contrast to others through her law-abiding nature, with a subtle attraction to Marlowe.
Randall
Randall
A perceptive law enforcement officer with whom Marlowe holds a favorable opinion, standing out as an exception to his usual views on police.
Lindsay Marriott
Lindsay Marriott
An enigmatic figure surrounded by rumors, previously involved in entertainment and associated with affluent circles.
292
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • 1940s
1940
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.