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Mystery & Thriller· United States

The Big Sleep

by Raymond Chandler
Aggregate Editorial Score58/100
★Edgar Award
Published 1939229 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When Raymond Chandler published The Big Sleep in 1939, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of mystery & thriller. Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a wealthy, ailing general to handle a blackmailer and uncovers a web of murder, pornography, and corruption in Los Angeles. Chandler's debut novel introduced one of literature's greatest protagonists and defined the hard-boiled detective genre. Themes of corruption, Los Angeles, detective run through the work. The book has received recognition from Edgar Award 1939.

Book Details

AuthorRaymond Chandler
Published1939
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages229
Category🔍 Mystery & Thriller
ISBN9780394758282
Editorial Score58/100
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

First published in 1939, Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep is a work of mystery & thriller that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with corruption, Los Angeles, detective, noir gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Among its recognitions: Edgar Award 1939. With an editorial score of 58/100 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 The Big Sleep is how it handles its central concerns — corruption, Los Angeles, detective, noir — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within United States's literary landscape, Raymond Chandler occupies a significant position. The Big Sleep is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
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
193942
✍️
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 The Big Sleep about?

Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a wealthy, ailing general to handle a blackmailer and uncovers a web of murder, pornography, and corruption in Los Angeles. Chandler's debut novel introduced one of literature's greatest protagonists and defined the hard-boiled detective genre.

Who wrote The Big Sleep?

The Big Sleep was written by Raymond Chandler, from United States. First published in 1939.

What awards has The Big Sleep won?

The Big Sleep has received the following awards and honours: Edgar Award 1939.

Is The Big Sleep worth reading?

The Big Sleep 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 corruption, Los Angeles, detective.

Where can I buy The Big Sleep?

You can buy The Big Sleep on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Big Sleep?

The Big Sleep is classified as Mystery & Thriller. Suspenseful fiction built around crime, detection, and hidden truths.

What country is The Big Sleep from?

The Big Sleep originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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