Raymond Chandler appreciation thread

[Satchmo]

Last year, I started writing a detective novel (which I am still, alas, writing). Because of my dark and subtly satirical writing style, my father suggested that I read some Raymond Chandler novels (he remarked how my writing mimicked his, even though I had at that point never read his work). It took me almost a year to get around to it, but last fall I picked up a copy of The Big Sleep. And what else can I say but "Raymond Chandler, surely thou art a god." The writing was superb, and I really identify with Phillip Marlowe, except for the fact that women seem to find him attractive. Who else is into the Chandler's books?

[mummifiedstalin]

I read a bunch of his stuff years ago when I was trying to figure out if there was a "noir" trend in 70's science fiction...I come up with weird projects. But my dad is a huge mystery fan, and always told me that he would give up all other mystery writers if he could keep Chandler. After I read him, I knew why. Great stuff.

[Chuck]

Sorry my post is late, teach!

I've read all of Chandler. There's a two volume set in The Library of America series. (Terrific series of classic books, by the way. Their Crime Novels duet is quite a noir collection!)

I highly recommend Chandler. Hell of a writer.

I also recommend Dashiell Hammett.

[Satchmo]

I read Hammett's The Maltese Falcon before I read The Big Sleep, and yes, it is very good, but Chandler's books are on a whole different level.

[Chuck]

In a way, I think he was a better writer than Hammet.