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Raymond Chandler

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description Raymond Chandler Overview

Raymond Chandler was an American-British novelist and screenwriter whose work helped define hardboiled detective fiction. His first novel, The Big Sleep, appeared in 1939 and introduced Los Angeles private investigator Philip Marlowe, later featured in works including Farewell, My Lovely and The Long Goodbye. Chandler's first-person narration, sharp dialogue, and morally compromised urban settings strongly influenced crime fiction and film noir.

help Raymond Chandler FAQ

Who is Philip Marlowe in Raymond Chandler's novels?

Philip Marlowe is the fictional Los Angeles private investigator created by Raymond Chandler, first appearing in his 1939 novel The Big Sleep. Marlowe went on to feature in multiple Chandler novels including Farewell, My Lovely and The Long Goodbye, becoming one of the most iconic characters in hardboiled detective fiction.

Did Raymond Chandler write screenplays for Hollywood films?

Yes, Chandler worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood during the 1940s and received co-writing credit on the screenplay for Double Indemnity (1944) with director Billy Wilder, adapted from James M. Cain's novel. The collaboration between Chandler and Wilder was reportedly contentious.

What is the correct reading order for Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels?

Chandler's Philip Marlowe novels were published starting with The Big Sleep in 1939, followed by Farewell, My Lovely (1940), The High Window (1942), The Lady in the Lake (1943), The Little Sister (1949), and The Long Goodbye (1953). Each novel stands largely on its own, but reading in publication order traces the character's development.

Was Raymond Chandler British or American?

Raymond Chandler was American-British, born in Chicago in 1888 and raised partly in England after his parents separated. He spent formative years in London before returning to the United States and eventually settling in Southern California, where his experiences informed the settings of his detective novels.