Crime fiction master Raymond Chandler’s fourth novel featuring Philip Marlowe, the “quintessential urban private eye” (Los Angeles Times). In The Lady in the Lake, hardboiled crime fiction master Raymond Chandler brings us the story of a couple of missing wives—one a rich man’s and one a poor man’s—who have become the objects of Philip Marlowe’s investigation. One of them may have gotten a … One of them may have gotten a Mexican divorce and married a gigolo and the other may be dead. Marlowe’s not sure he cares about either one, but he’s not paid to care.
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The Lady in the Lake, Raymond Chandler, 1943
My favorite quote: “He was quite easy to hate,” she said emptily. “And poisonously easy to love. Women — even decent women — make such ghastly mistakes about men.”
Notable characters: Philip Marlowe; the best PI ever; Derace Kingsley, the wealthy businessman who hires him; Crystal Kingsley, Derace Kingley’s wife; Chris Lavery, the playboy
Most memorable scene: The discovery of the lady in the lake, which was surprisingly gruesome
Greatest strengths: Plot. It’s sharp, intricate, and unpredictable
Standout achievements: I chose plot as this book’s greatest strength but the characters here are just as strong. You don’t often see that. Usually, authors excel at one or the other. Some are more plot-driven, others more character-oriented. Both are valid, but it’s rare that something like this comes along that excels at both
Fun Facts: The making of the 1947 film of the same name was actor Robert Montgomery’s (who played Phillip Marlowe) idea
Other media: A 1947 film, several radio adaptations
What it taught me: Chandler has a unique way with words. One of the techniques he uses that stood out to me is a kind of merging of the senses — comparing sounds to something touchable, for example. I found that to be a very effective contributor to the imagery and overall experience
How it inspired me: This was my first Chandler novel (I know, right? What have I been doing all these years?) and it only took a few pages before I realized I’d fallen head-over-heels in love with the voice and tone of this book. So much so, that I knew I wanted to read the rest in the series before I’d finished the first chapter. I’ve already bought the next one
Additional thoughts: It was depressing to learn that Chandler only wrote seven full novels in his lifetime. This means I’m just going to have to read them over and over …
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
The lyrically described landscape in and around Los Angeles is stained by the moral and social degeneracy of many of the people living there. Chandler was, consci0usly or not, capturing the sorrowful history of humans as a never-ending replay of the history of the original Eden. And it’s telling that a lot of the trouble stems from relations between Adam and Eve, and their modern counterparts. There are distractions/disappointments here: too many of private eye Marlowe’s conversations are truculent; a wise old rural lawman seems too good to be true and embodies what became something of a much used type in Los Angeles detective mysteries; a Marlowe business card featuring the image of a tommy gun in one corner is ridiculous, and not at all congruent with his character. But Chandler’s typically complex plot has an inner straight line and narrative drive missing in his later, lesser works. His penetrating view of many of the characters’ psychology is deep and convincing. His writing is at a peak; I would bet many other writers are trying very hard to match even one of the many phrases he crafts in this one — such as the description of the wizened old man with “a face like a gnawed bone.” Arguably Chandler’s best, which is saying a lot.
Raymond Chandlers’s fourth Philip Marlowe detective novel, “The Lady in the Lake” is one of the most popular entries for a reason. I guessed early on what was happening, but as more people entered the picture and the situation got more and more complicated, it was impossible to anticipate exactly where it was headed. The prose is clear, the characters are memorable, and there are plenty of twists. There were a couple loose ends that I wish had been built upon at the end, but I guess that only means that I wish the book had kept going. Definitely give this one a try.
great reading
I plan to re-read this one soon, and to re-read all of Raymond Chandler’s book in due time!
The original private eye.
Classic detective story.
I think there is nothing new to add to the mastery of the genre. Bravo!
anyone who loves mysteries needs to read Chandler, the original master of the American form. His use of language & unique characters is truly entertaining.
One of the great tragedies of 20th century literature (make no mistake, Chandler is literature, warts and all) is that the famed creator of private eye Philip Marlowe only managed seven novels before he drank himself to death in heartbroken depression.
Almost all his novels have been made into films, starring such up-and-comers as Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum… a young Elliot Gould even gave his impression of Marlowe in a 1973 version of The Long Goodbye.
Chandler is noir royalty. He knew the darkness because that’s where he lived. And all these decades later, his works still thrill and impress, suffering nothing from the passing years, unlike the characters inhabiting his dog-eared pages.
A friend recently pointed me in Chandler’s direction. I’m almost ashamed to admit I had bypassed his novels up to then, figuring they were most likely old hat. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is the third Marlowe novel I’ve read and, like The Big Sleep and The Long Goodbye, it’s a corker.
Chandler is not what you’d call progressive in his portrayal of women, but his works must be considered within the context of the time they were penned. Moreover, I can see Chandler’s influence in the work of so many others… the great Elmore Leonard among them.
So many zippy one-liners, such incredible dialogue, a story always moving, always keeping you guessing. If I have any criticism (and it’s a small one) it’s that this novel is more talk than action when it counts. But that talk is so smart, so engaging, I don’t think it really matters.