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The Big Sleep

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The Big Sleep

By: Raymond Chandler
Narrated by: Barbara Barnes, Henry Devas, Ian Batchelor, Jude Akuwudike, Kelly Burke, Leah Brotherhood, Madeline Potter, Sam Dale, Sean Baker, Toby Stephens
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About this listen

 Fast-talking, trouble-seeking private eye Philip Marlowe is a different kind of detective: a moral man in an amoral world. California in the ’40s and ’50s is as beautiful as a ripe fruit and rotten to the core, and Marlowe must struggle to retain his integrity amidst the corruption he encounters daily. The Big Sleep finds the world-weary, wisecracking investigator consulted by a wealthy family man with two big problems: his children. Carmen Sternwood has got herself mixed up with a blackmailer, while Vivian has managed to mislay her husband, ex-bootlegger Rusty Regan. Old, ailing General Sternwood hires Marlowe to take care of things - but it’s not too long before the bodies start piling up, and Marlowe finds himself knee-deep in trouble... Starring Toby Stephens, this landmark dramatisation retains all the suspense and excitement of Chandler’s complex and compelling novel. Anthologies & Short Stories Crime Thrillers Dramatisations Fiction Modern Detectives Mystery Private Investigators Thriller & Suspense Classics Detective Adaptation Crime

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I've long been a fan of Raymond Chandler's stories, especially those featuring Philip Marlowe, the tough-talking hard-boiled private investigator 'who rates high for insubordination'. These relatively new audiobook productions are an all-round winner: evocative jazz score, high production values, and best of all, some very good acting from the cast. Toby Stephens is brilliant as Marlowe, a grumpy, intense, flawed, virile man... it's little wonder that the character and genre spawned so many copy-cats. This classic story centres on a tightly woven tale of blackmail, crooked dealings, gambling for high stakes and murder. General Sternwood's two flighty daughters are in deep trouble and only a private eye on $25 a day can solve the mystery. A superb story, well told and superbly acted.

Stylish and Intense

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Fantastic audiobook.Close your eyes and you are literally transported back to 1940s LA.Toby Stephens is fantastic as as hard edged ,cynical wisecracking Phillip Marlowe.All the acting is first class and the soundtrack rides over it all brilliantly.I will buy all the Raymond Chandler recordings of this latest set.Highly recommended for those who like gumshoe style detective stories.

the big sleep.

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What did you like most about Raymond Chandler: The Big Sleep (Dramatised)?

It is a great book and I think this version is almost a radio play. The cast really make it for me.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Marlow, the archetypal flatfoot with a sharp nose and a big heart. The dames really dig him.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Any of Marlow's inner monologues are great Americana kitsch.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

As it was a dramatisation it isn't too long to listen too all at once and that way you don't lose the thread.

The Original American PI

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