Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe

This historical and critical text surveys early and mid-20th century American detective novels, particularly those by John Carroll Daly, Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, Ross Macdonald, and Raymond Chandler. British detective fiction is also analysed in order to highlight the unique qualities of the American genre. Since their inception, detective novels have been a wildly successful genre of American fiction, featuring a uniquely American belief in rugged individualism. This book focuses on Raymond Chandler's creation of Philip Marlowe, a detective whose feeling for community and willingness to compromise radically changed the genre's vigilantism and violence. It compares Chandler's work to early and mid-20th century American detective novels, particularly those by John Carroll Daly, Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett and Ross Macdonald, as well as contemporary British detective fiction, highlighting Chandler's contribution to the American genre.

Celebrating Raymond Chandler's Quintessential Noir Detective, Philip Marlowe Twenty-five new stories featuring America's favorite detective.