The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1)
by Raymond Chandler
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler holds a highly rated rating of 4.04 out of 5, based on 84.5K reader ratings. First published in 1939. The book spans 231 pages.
About The Big Sleep
Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid....He is the hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. This is the Code of the Private Eye as defined by Raymond Chandler in his 1944 essay 'The Simple Act of Murder.' Such a man was Philip Marlowe, private eye, an educated, heroic, streetwise, rugged individualist and the hero of Chandler's first novel, The Big Sleep. This work established Chandler as the master of the 'hard-boiled' detective novel, and his articulate and literary style of writing won him a large audience, which ranged from the man in the street to the most sophisticated intellectual.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Raymond Chandler |
| Published | 1939 |
| Pages | 231 |
| Genres | Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Classics, Mystery & Thriller, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 4.04 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 84,489 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep is categorized as Mystery & Thriller, Fiction, Classics, Mystery & Thriller. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is The Big Sleep worth reading?
Based on 84.5K reader ratings, The Big Sleep has an average score of 4.04 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep has 231 pages.
Who wrote The Big Sleep?
The Big Sleep was written by Raymond Chandler. It was first published in 1939.
What is the ISBN for The Big Sleep?
The ISBN-13 for The Big Sleep is 9780394758280.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
