The Enigmatic World of Raymond Chandler: Diving into the Noir Depths of Detective Fiction
Episode 99, Nov 27, 2023, 12:56 AM
Quotes of The Long Goodbye book
1. "There's no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself."
2. "The French have a phrase for it. The bastards have a phrase for everything and they are always right. To say goodbye is to die a little."
3. "The law isn't justice. It's a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right buttons and are also lucky, justice may show up in the answer. A mechanism is all the law was ever intended to be."
4. "I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat, and a gun."
5. "I was a nice guy, minding my own business, just waiting for payday, and somebody has to come along and run me in for drunk and disorderly and the Small Casinos Act and some drunk tried to hit on me so I had to wash the street with him."
6. "There ain't no clean way to make a hundred million bucks... Anyway, a gimlet-eyed quitter would have had his tail between his legs and his suitcase packed. He would have gone back to the other smelly little towns he knew and he would have settled down comfortably and waited for the royal commission to hand him a license to collect taxes. But I'm not a gimlet-eyed quitter."
7. "It was a dark, rainy afternoon and I felt like a drink. I sat at a small table in a dark and gloomy bar in a dark and gloomy part of town."
8. "There is no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself. It is common knowledge that your journey to escape from you is much further and much more dangerous than any journey that takes you to you."
The Long Goodbye book summary
"The Long Goodbye" is a crime fiction novel written by Raymond Chandler and published in 1953. The story follows Philip Marlowe, a private detective who becomes involved in a complex and convoluted investigation.
The book begins when Marlowe is contacted by a wealthy man named Terry Lennox, who asks for a ride to Tijuana, Mexico. Marlowe agrees and develops a casual friendship with Lennox. However, their relationship takes a sinister turn when Lennox is accused of murdering his wealthy wife.
Marlowe is called as a witness in Lennox's trial, but he refuses to provide an alibi for him, which ultimately leads to Lennox's suicide in a jail cell. The detective becomes haunted by his decision and feels a strong sense of guilt.
Months later, Marlowe learns that Lennox's wife is alive and well, which leaves him with even more questions about the case. He embarks on a quest to unravel the truth and find out the real identity of Lennox's mysterious wife. Along the way, Marlowe encounters a series of eccentric and corrupt characters, including a famous author, a drunk writer, and a gangster.
Throughout the investigation, Marlowe is forced to confront his own moral code and navigate the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. He delves deeper into the web of lies and deceit, risking his own life and encountering danger at every turn.
As the story progresses, Marlowe uncovers a conspiracy that involves blackmail, betrayal, and multiple murders. The detective perseveres, determined to bring justice to those responsible and find closure for himself.
"The Long Goodbye" is a classic noir novel that explores themes of loyalty, corruption, and the dark side of human nature. It showcases Chandler's mastery of atmospheric prose and his ability to create complex characters and intricate plots. The book remains a staple of crime fiction and is considered one of Chandler's finest works.
The meaning of The Long Goodbye book
The Long Goodbye is a crime fiction novel written by Raymond Chandler and published in 1953. It follows the story of private detective Philip Marlowe as he becomes involved in a complex series of events surrounding the death of his friend Terry Lennox. The novel delves into themes of corruption, betrayal, identity, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
The title, "The Long Goodbye," is symbolic of the ever-present feeling of loss and detachment that permeates the story. It explores the concept of saying goodbye to one's past and old ideals, as well as bidding farewell to the illusions and facades that people create for themselves.
Throughout the book, Marlowe is constantly navigating a treacherous world of deceit, where characters are not always who they appear to be. As he investigates Lennox's death, Marlowe uncovers a web of lies, cover-ups, and moral ambiguity that challenges his own values and belief systems.
The novel also delves into the societal issues of post-World War II America, with Chandler offering a scathing critique of the corrupt and superficial nature of the affluent society. It explores themes of social decay, disillusionment, and the erosion of morality.
Overall, The Long Goodbye is a complex and introspective work that goes beyond the typical crime fiction genre. It uses the detective story as a vehicle to explore deeper themes and portray a gritty and morally complex world.
1. "There's no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself."
2. "The French have a phrase for it. The bastards have a phrase for everything and they are always right. To say goodbye is to die a little."
3. "The law isn't justice. It's a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right buttons and are also lucky, justice may show up in the answer. A mechanism is all the law was ever intended to be."
4. "I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat, and a gun."
5. "I was a nice guy, minding my own business, just waiting for payday, and somebody has to come along and run me in for drunk and disorderly and the Small Casinos Act and some drunk tried to hit on me so I had to wash the street with him."
6. "There ain't no clean way to make a hundred million bucks... Anyway, a gimlet-eyed quitter would have had his tail between his legs and his suitcase packed. He would have gone back to the other smelly little towns he knew and he would have settled down comfortably and waited for the royal commission to hand him a license to collect taxes. But I'm not a gimlet-eyed quitter."
7. "It was a dark, rainy afternoon and I felt like a drink. I sat at a small table in a dark and gloomy bar in a dark and gloomy part of town."
8. "There is no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself. It is common knowledge that your journey to escape from you is much further and much more dangerous than any journey that takes you to you."
The Long Goodbye book summary
"The Long Goodbye" is a crime fiction novel written by Raymond Chandler and published in 1953. The story follows Philip Marlowe, a private detective who becomes involved in a complex and convoluted investigation.
The book begins when Marlowe is contacted by a wealthy man named Terry Lennox, who asks for a ride to Tijuana, Mexico. Marlowe agrees and develops a casual friendship with Lennox. However, their relationship takes a sinister turn when Lennox is accused of murdering his wealthy wife.
Marlowe is called as a witness in Lennox's trial, but he refuses to provide an alibi for him, which ultimately leads to Lennox's suicide in a jail cell. The detective becomes haunted by his decision and feels a strong sense of guilt.
Months later, Marlowe learns that Lennox's wife is alive and well, which leaves him with even more questions about the case. He embarks on a quest to unravel the truth and find out the real identity of Lennox's mysterious wife. Along the way, Marlowe encounters a series of eccentric and corrupt characters, including a famous author, a drunk writer, and a gangster.
Throughout the investigation, Marlowe is forced to confront his own moral code and navigate the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles. He delves deeper into the web of lies and deceit, risking his own life and encountering danger at every turn.
As the story progresses, Marlowe uncovers a conspiracy that involves blackmail, betrayal, and multiple murders. The detective perseveres, determined to bring justice to those responsible and find closure for himself.
"The Long Goodbye" is a classic noir novel that explores themes of loyalty, corruption, and the dark side of human nature. It showcases Chandler's mastery of atmospheric prose and his ability to create complex characters and intricate plots. The book remains a staple of crime fiction and is considered one of Chandler's finest works.
The meaning of The Long Goodbye book
The Long Goodbye is a crime fiction novel written by Raymond Chandler and published in 1953. It follows the story of private detective Philip Marlowe as he becomes involved in a complex series of events surrounding the death of his friend Terry Lennox. The novel delves into themes of corruption, betrayal, identity, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
The title, "The Long Goodbye," is symbolic of the ever-present feeling of loss and detachment that permeates the story. It explores the concept of saying goodbye to one's past and old ideals, as well as bidding farewell to the illusions and facades that people create for themselves.
Throughout the book, Marlowe is constantly navigating a treacherous world of deceit, where characters are not always who they appear to be. As he investigates Lennox's death, Marlowe uncovers a web of lies, cover-ups, and moral ambiguity that challenges his own values and belief systems.
The novel also delves into the societal issues of post-World War II America, with Chandler offering a scathing critique of the corrupt and superficial nature of the affluent society. It explores themes of social decay, disillusionment, and the erosion of morality.
Overall, The Long Goodbye is a complex and introspective work that goes beyond the typical crime fiction genre. It uses the detective story as a vehicle to explore deeper themes and portray a gritty and morally complex world.