The Enigmatic World of Raymond Chandler: Exploring the Noir Legacy

Episode 99,   Nov 29, 2023, 12:58 AM

How does The Long Goodbye book end?

The Long Goodbye is a detective novel written by Raymond Chandler and published in 1953. The book ends with the main character, private detective Philip Marlowe, discovering the truth behind a series of murders and the disappearance of a woman named Terry Lennox. Throughout the story, Marlowe becomes entangled in a web of deceit and corruption, as he tries to unravel the mystery.

In the final chapters, Marlowe confronts the real culprits and learns that Terry Lennox, his friend, had faked his own death and framed Marlowe for his murder. Marlowe discovers that Lennox is still alive and hiding in Mexico, living under an assumed identity. However, Marlowe chooses not to expose him and instead helps him to escape the country.

In the end, Marlowe returns to Los Angeles and reflects on the corruption and darkness that permeate society. He expresses a sense of disillusionment and a desire to distance himself from the world he inhabits. The novel's conclusion leaves Marlowe as a solitary figure, navigating the treacherous landscape of crime and corruption, but still upholding his own moral code.

Books like The Long Goodbye book

1. "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler - This is another classic detective novel featuring Raymond Chandler's iconic character, Philip Marlowe.

2. "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett - This novel is considered a masterpiece of detective fiction and features the hard-boiled detective Sam Spade.

3. "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson - This book is a gripping crime thriller that follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander as they investigate a decades-old disappearance.

4. "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn - This suspenseful novel delves into the mysteries of a troubled marriage and a missing wife, with unexpected twists and turns.

5. "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt - This psychological thriller follows a group of eccentric college students who become involved in a murder investigation.

6. "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins - This psychological thriller explores the unreliable narrator trope as it follows a woman who becomes entangled in a missing person's case.

7. "In the Woods" by Tana French - In this atmospheric mystery novel, a detective is haunted by his own childhood tragedy as he investigates the murder of a young girl.

8. "Dark Places" by Gillian Flynn - This novel delves into the dark past of a woman whose family was brutally murdered when she was a child, as she tries to uncover the truth.

9. "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith - This series follows the investigations of a Botswana woman who starts her own detective agency.

10. "Mystic River" by Dennis Lehane - This gritty crime novel explores the lives of three childhood friends as they deal with the aftermath of a tragic event that forces them together once again.

What is The Long Goodbye book about?

The Long Goodbye is a crime novel written by Raymond Chandler. Published in 1953, it follows the adventures of private detective Philip Marlowe. The book begins with Marlowe's acquaintance, Terry Lennox, seeking his help and ultimately getting involved in a complex and dangerous case. Lennox becomes the prime suspect in his wife's murder and eventually disappears. Marlowe sets out to clear his name and unravel the truth behind the crime, encountering various colorful characters and uncovering a web of deceit, corruption, and betrayal along the way. The novel explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the moral ambiguity of the society in which Marlowe operates.