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Raymond Chandler - how does he compare to modern crime novels?

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  • 16-08-2014 2:46am
    #1
    Zeek12
    Registered Users Posts: 13,379 ✭✭✭✭


    I've been reading quite a bit of Raymond Chandler lately. Just wondering what the general perception of him is as an author.
    Personally I have mixed feelings; some novels are superb (like The Big Sleep and The Long Goodbye), others are less impressive. But Marlowe, as a character was utterly memorable.

    Modern day crime novels are obviously very different, the genre has totally changed. But do the stories match Chandler's, and are the protagonists as memorable?
    And if so, which writers are the modern-day Chandlers?


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    #2
    Kilgore__Trout
    Registered Users Posts: 454 ✭✭Kilgore__Trout


    Went through most of Chandler's work recently, and would be curious for some recommendations too.

    Really enjoy his writing style, the use of figurative language and terse prose. That's not to say anything about Marlowe himself (the Galahad of the gutter), and his abrasive/wise cracking interactions with other characters.

    Checked out the Maltese Falcon, but the things I liked most about Chandler's work were missing from Hammett's writing.


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    #3
    Dirty Dingus McGee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,631 ✭✭✭Dirty Dingus McGee


    Try the Spenser Novels by Robert B Parker , He was obviously influenced by Chandler.There is also a definite Chandler influence in Michael Connellys Harry Bosch novels.


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    #4
    Decuc500
    Registered Users Posts: 1,210 ✭✭✭Decuc500


    Robert Crais does the wise cracking LA private eye very well. His Elvis Cole novels are well worth checking out.

    Also Ross MacDonald was the next great crime novelist after Chandler and Hammett. He was mainly published in the 50’s and 60’s.


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    #5
    Ipso
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,995 ✭✭✭Ipso


    Reading Hammet's Red Harvest, enjoying it so far.


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    #6
    Kilgore__Trout
    Registered Users Posts: 454 ✭✭Kilgore__Trout


    Adding Denis Lehane's McKenzie novels to the list. Ticking all the boxes for me.

    Also Altered Carbon, by Richard Morgan is worth a mention. Writing is of a very high quality, and the Cyberpunk setting provides an interesting backdrop for a detective novel.


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    #7
    Dirty Dingus McGee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,631 ✭✭✭Dirty Dingus McGee


    Kilgore__Trout wrote: »
    Adding Denis Lehane's McKenzie novels to the list. Ticking all the boxes for me.

    Also Altered Carbon, by Richard Morgan is worth a mention. Writing is of a very high quality, and the Cyberpunk setting provides an interesting backdrop for a detective novel.

    Kenzie


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    #8
    yknaa
    Registered Users Posts: 830 ✭✭✭yknaa


    Walter Mosley's character Easy Rawlins reminds me of Chandler's moralistic heroes. Good books and a great style. Saying that, I haven't read one in ages!


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    #9
    Dirty Dingus McGee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,631 ✭✭✭Dirty Dingus McGee


    yknaa wrote: »
    Walter Mosley's character Easy Rawlins reminds me of Chandler's moralistic heroes. Good books and a great style. Saying that, I haven't read one in ages!

    Got the first one of that series for Christmas.Looking forward to reading it.

    Even the title and the cover of the book were Chandleresque that's what attracted me to it.


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