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Cover of Farewell, My Lovely
Mystery & Thriller· United States

Farewell, My Lovely

by Raymond Chandler
Aggregate Editorial Score56/100
★Edgar Award
Published 1940266 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler is a landmark work of mystery & thriller, first published in 1940. Philip Marlowe investigates the murder of a nightclub singer and a jewel theft in this second Marlowe novel, widely considered even superior to The Big Sleep. Chandler's prose style—described by Auden as the best in America at the time—reaches its peak in this moody, atmospheric masterpiece. Themes of noir, Los Angeles, race run through the work. The book has received recognition from Edgar Award 1940.

Book Details

AuthorRaymond Chandler
Published1940
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages266
Category🔍 Mystery & Thriller
ISBN9780394758299
Editorial Score56/100
About the Category

🔍 Mystery & Thriller

Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

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Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler sits within the tradition of mystery & thriller that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1940 in United States, it engages with noir, Los Angeles, race, detective in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Among its recognitions: Edgar Award 1940. With an editorial score of 56/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes Farewell, My Lovely is how it handles its central concerns — noir, Los Angeles, race, detective — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Raymond Chandler's role in the literature of United States is well established. Farewell, My Lovely can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Edgar Award
winner · genre
194042
✍️
About the Author
Raymond Chandler
United States
View Author →

Raymond Chandler is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of mystery thriller.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Farewell, My Lovely about?

Philip Marlowe investigates the murder of a nightclub singer and a jewel theft in this second Marlowe novel, widely considered even superior to The Big Sleep. Chandler's prose style—described by Auden as the best in America at the time—reaches its peak in this moody, atmospheric masterpiece.

Who wrote Farewell, My Lovely?

Farewell, My Lovely was written by Raymond Chandler, from United States. First published in 1940.

What awards has Farewell, My Lovely won?

Farewell, My Lovely has received the following awards and honours: Edgar Award 1940.

Is Farewell, My Lovely worth reading?

Farewell, My Lovely is a notable work that has earned critical attention, with an aggregate editorial score of 42/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in noir, Los Angeles, race.

Where can I buy Farewell, My Lovely?

You can buy Farewell, My Lovely on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Farewell, My Lovely?

Farewell, My Lovely is classified as Mystery & Thriller. Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

What country is Farewell, My Lovely from?

Farewell, My Lovely originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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