Sunday, July 23, 2017

Happy Birthday Raymond Chandler



Today would have been Raymond Chandler's 129th birthday. 




I thought we'd celebrate by featuring some quotes from his books. See how many of these you can work into your conversations today. 


From The Big Sleep

“Dead men are heavier than broken hearts.” 

“It seemed like a nice neighborhood to have bad habits in.” 

“I don't mind your showing me your legs. They're very swell legs and it's a pleasure to make their acquaintace. I don't mind if you don't like my manners. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter nights.” 

“As honest as you can expect a man to be in a world where its going out of style.” 

“You're broke, eh?"
I been shaking two nickels together for a month, trying to get them to mate.” 



From The Long Goodbye

“To say goodbye is to die a little.” 

“There is no trap so deadly as the trap you set for yourself.” 

“I was as hollow and empty as the spaces between stars.” 

“The girl gave him a look which ought to have stuck at least four inches out of his back.” 

“You talk too damn much and too damn much of it is about you.” 





From Farewell, My Lovely

“It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.” 

“I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun. I put them on and went out of the room.” 

“She gave me a smile I could feel in my hip pocket.” 





From Red Wind: A Collection of Short Stories

“There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.” 




Here's a great article in the Los Angeles Times about Raymond Chandler.

No comments:

Post a Comment