We’re focusing on newer books, movies, and television shows for 2019, but that doesn’t mean we’re entirely ignoring old favorites! After all, what’s that saying–what’s old may just become new again (or something like that)?
Next week marks the 131st birthday of noted hardboiled writer Raymond Chandler. You may or may not recognize Chandler’s name, depending on your familiarity with the genre, but you’re sure to have heard of his most famous creation–private eye Philip Marlowe.
And what better way to celebrate Chandler’s birthday–or just get in touch with some great classic detective fiction–than to revisit his work and adaptations of it?
Stories and Early Novels*
If you want to start chronologically, this compilation of early Marlowe novels, which includes classics like The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely, as well as stories from his pulp writing days, is a solid option.
*There is also a pretty good selection of Marlowe novels as ebooks on Libby.
Later Novels and Other Writings
If you’re more interested in Chandler’s later work or just want a broader sampling of his material, this collection might be a better option. It features more of his classic Marlowe novels, as well as a movie script and selected letters and essays.
The Big Sleep
For folks who haven’t read Chandler’s work, Marlowe probably looms in their mind as one of the actors who has famously taken the role, with Humphrey Bogart being one of the most iconic. In this story, Bogart teams up with his wife Lauren Bacall to bring one of Marlowe’s more famous stories, wrought with blackmail, kidnapping, murder, and more, to the big screen.
Strangers on a Train/Double Indemnity
Though Chandler is justifiably best known for his own work, he also worked in Hollywood as a scriptwriter, including adapting other writers’ works for the big screen. He worked on Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller Strangers on a Train (adapted from a Patricia Highsmith novel) and noir classic Double Indemnity, which is actually based on a James M. Cain book.
My next two suggestions are a little more off-the-beaten path, but bear with me:
The Rockford Files
Okay, on the surface, classic 1970s private eye show The Rockford Files has nothing to do with Chandler, Marlowe, or Bogie. But it totally does! And not just because star James Garner once played Marlowe on film.
It’s been argued–and I agree–that nothing from the 1970s captures the tone and atmosphere of Chandler’s original stories quite so well as this show. Also, the showrunners seemed well aware of this and even throw in little Easter eggs for Chandler fans, like borrowing his fictional setting of Bay City. I’ve been watching this show for the first time lately and am pleasantly surprised by how well it holds up 40 years later.
Philip Marlowe, Private Eye
This 1980s HBO show is hard-to-find and, in fact, is not in our system. (It’s too expensive and obscure for me to justify doing a purchase request for it.) However, we can get it for you on ILL. It’s well worth watching. The late Powers Boothe was best known for his long career of playing movie and TV villains, but his performance as good guy Marlowe is one of his best. (In fact, he’s my favorite depiction of Marlowe.) The sets and costumes are remarkably authentic, too, and help create a wonderful classic noir atmosphere.
Who’s your favorite fictional private eye? Who’s your favorite Philip Marlowe? Who’s your favorite noir writer? (Confession: As much as I love Chandler, he’s not my favorite. I’ll tell you mine in the comments if you tell me yours.) Tell us in the comments! As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog to find more information on any of these items or to place holds.
Thanks you for that nice connection between Rockford Files and Philip Marlowe; I couldn’t agree more, but hadn’t yet fully made the connection. But Chandler is my favorite writer, without hesitation. So I’m curious to know who you prefer over him. Thanks again!
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Thank you! As much as I like Chandler, I’ll always be a James M Cain girl at heart. 🙂
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I can appreciate that. Still working on Mildred Pierce myself. I should commit to finishing it. But a very nice school of writers 😊
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That’s a really odd book–I love it but read it after his more normal noir books. It’s somehow even more unsettling!
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Ah! Thank-you for the heads up; I will do that!
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His short stories and Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice are definitely more prototypical noir. I think you might really enjoy them since you like Chandler. 🙂
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I think what I liked about Mildred Pierce is how very different it was. But it’s definitely not representative of his style.
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Thank-you again! I appreciate the distinction you make. I will start with one of the others first… which suddenly feels like the right hot summer reading besides 🌞 Thanks again for the recommendations!
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You’re welcome! Looking forward to your thoughts on them! 🙂
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I’ll be happy to let you know! Thanks again 🙂
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All right…. So I’ve finished The Postman Always Rings Twice and, wow…. it’s a disturbing book in so far as Cain takes us in through the perspective of the villainous anti-hero and that alone is unsettling simply because of more “heroic” anti-hero vantage point I’m used to with Chandler and Marlowe, but still, wow! I can’t quit thinking about the ending… it has all the surprise/blow the reader away punch to it that makes me ready to pick up Double Indemnity and keep on going. He’s a beautiful writer; succinct and vivid… cinematic without any of the frills… and that recurring cat imagery… very nice touch! Thank-you for recommending it! I’m on to the next title… 🙂
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Yay I’m so glad you’re enjoying him! 🙂
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