Where to start withThe Long Goodbye
2 versions · originally a book, 1953
Themes: Moral ambiguity, Cynicism, Social decay, The lost veteran, Corrupt institutions.
Start with The Long Goodbye (Raymond Chandler, 1953) — the book. The Long Goodbye exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 1953; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Long Goodbye is a haunting exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and moral ambiguity surrounding the enigmatic friendship between Philip Marlowe and Terry Lennox.
✦ Most fans start here
The Long Goodbye (1953)
The original novel
✦ Start hereThe Long Goodbye
Raymond Chandler · Book · 1953
The 1953 novel is the essential source material, offering Chandler’s signature prose and a dense, character-driven examination of the personal costs inherent in the private investigator's rigid code of honor.
1973 film
The Long Goodbye
Film · 1973
The 1973 movie offers a stylistic subversion of the genre, transplanting Marlowe into a sun-drenched, cynical 1970s Hollywood landscape to highlight the alienation and shifting moral standards of the post-noir era.
Common questions
Should I read The Long Goodbye book before watching the 1973 movie?
Reading The Long Goodbye book before watching the 1973 movie is not required. The 1973 film is a distinct adaptation of the 1953 novel, and you can enjoy either version independently without needing to experience the other first.
Is The Long Goodbye movie a direct remake of the 1953 book?
The Long Goodbye movie released in 1973 is an adaptation of the 1953 book of the same name. While both share the title The Long Goodbye, the film updates the setting and tone compared to the original source material written by Raymond Chandler.
How long is The Long Goodbye book?
The Long Goodbye book, originally published in 1953, is a full-length novel. The length varies by edition, but it remains a substantial work of fiction that serves as the primary source material for subsequent adaptations, including the 1973 film version.
What is the original source material for The Long Goodbye movie?
The original source material for the 1973 film The Long Goodbye is the 1953 book titled The Long Goodbye. The movie adapts the narrative and characters from this specific novel into a feature film format.