59 pages • 1 hour read
Raymond ChandlerThe Big Sleep
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1939A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read The Big Sleep?
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.