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231
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles • 1930s
1939
Adult
18+ years
Published in 1939, The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler follows detective Philip Marlowe, hired by wealthy General Sternwood to negotiate with a blackmailer targeting his daughter. As Marlowe delves deeper, he uncovers murder, corruption, and dark family secrets, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Los Angeles, showcasing Chandler's mastery in the noir genre. The novel contains derogatory language and descriptions of violence.
Mysterious
Dark
Gritty
Suspenseful
Challenging
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Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep is highly praised for its sharp dialogue, complex plot, and vivid characterizations, especially of detective Philip Marlowe. However, some readers find the intricate storyline initially confusing. Overall, Chandler sets a high standard for the crime noir genre with his atmospheric and engaging writing.
The ideal reader for Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep enjoys hardboiled detective fiction filled with sharp dialogue, complex plots, and gritty atmospheres. Fans of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon or James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice will appreciate Chandler's iconic private investigator, Philip Marlowe.
168,783 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
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General Sternwood
An elderly oil magnate who hires Marlowe to address a blackmail issue involving his family, particularly concerned about his younger daughter's troubles.
Vivian Regan
The elder Sternwood daughter, described as smart and ruthless, who becomes entangled in the mystery Marlowe is hired to resolve.
Carmen Sternwood
The younger Sternwood daughter, whose flirtatious and unstable behavior plays a significant role in sparking the novel's events.
Arthur Gwynn Geiger
A bookstore owner with illicit dealings, whose activities become central to the mystery Marlowe investigates.
Bernie Ohls
Chief investigator for the district attorney and former colleague of Marlowe, who provides a lead on the Sternwood case.
Norris
The Sternwood family's butler, known for his professionalism and loyalty to his employers.
Eddie Mars
A casino owner with criminal connections who becomes a key figure in the complications Marlowe encounters.
Joe Brody
An ex-lover of Carmen Sternwood who becomes involved in the blackmail subplot impacting the Sternwood family.
Carol Lundgren
A partner of Geiger, whose actions following Geiger's death further complicate the story's plot.
Lash Canino
A hitman connected to the criminal world Marlowe investigates, representing the violent threats faced by the protagonist.
Mona Mars
Eddie Mars's wife, who is caught in the intrigue surrounding Marlowe's investigation.
Rusty Regan
Recently married to Vivian Sternwood and missing before the events of the novel, Regan's absence creates underlying tension in the narrative.
231
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles • 1930s
1939
Adult
18+ years
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