The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep

1939 • 155 pages

Ratings165

Average rating3.7

15

I thought this would be a 5 star when I was in the early chapters. I liked the mood, the sardonic style, the steadily building intrigue. But the story simply never elevated above nice writing, for me. I didn't care about any of the characters - I wasn't really concerned who lived or died, or who committed the crimes, or where Rusty Regan had got to. It didn't affect me. I felt nothing. It was all cold. (“not as cold as her lips”)

Objectively, I can see it's an excellent bit of work, but I zoned out more than I should have, and I wasn't compelled to keep reading. I'd like to give it another go in the future, in case I'm missing something, or in case it just was the wrong time.

January 15, 2017