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Writers Raymond Chandler and California: A Fitting Pair

In the debated selection for California's poet laureate, the renowned hard-boiled fiction author Raymond Chandler, famous for his 'The Big Sleep' novel and originator of the Private Investigator Philip Marlowe character, undeniably stands out as a prominent contender for the title.

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In a striking turn of events, it is argued that the eminent writer, Raymond Chandler, known for his...
In a striking turn of events, it is argued that the eminent writer, Raymond Chandler, known for his noir masterpiece "The Big Sleep" and the creation of the legendary detective Philip Marlowe, would undeniably make an exceptional Poet Laureate of California.

Writers Raymond Chandler and California: A Fitting Pair

Award-winning author Arvind Ethan David mounts a compelling case for Raymond Chandler as California's emblematic poet laureate, given his significant contribution to the noir genre through his iconic works like "The Big Sleep."

Chandler's literary legacy is deeply rooted in California, with nearly all of his novels and stories set in the Golden State. His portrayal of Los Angeles in particular, as a city marred by crime and moral ambiguity beneath its sunny exterior, has become synonymous with the city's image. His intimate knowledge of California, having lived most of his life in Los Angeles and La Jolla, enabled him to provide incisive and accurate insights into the state's soul.

Quoting from his works, Chandler's criticisms of California stand out as poignant:

— California, a department store state. The most of everything and the best of nothing. (The Little Sister)— Ordinarily I was not a morning drinker. The Southern California climate is too soft for it. You don't metabolize fast enough. (The Long Goodbye)

However, it's important to note that Chandler's indictments were focused on specific aspects of California life, rather than a wholesale rejection of the state. His work captured the essence of California's contradictions and complexities, offering a nuanced portrayal of the state and its largest city.

Chandler's career as a writer, however, began in England, where he moved at the age of seven following his parents' divorce. Educated at Dulwich College, one of Britain's most prestigious private schools, Chandler credited his teachers for honing his skill in the art of language, particularly in Latin and Greek. This classical education would later manifest in Chandler's distinctive writing style marked by elaborate sentence structures, transferred epithets, heroic metaphors, and fast-changing similes.

David's adaptation of Chandler's early novella "Trouble is My Business" as a graphic novel serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the author's work. Readers will have to decide for themselves whether David and his collaborators captured Chandler's essence in their interpretation, but the team took pleasure in visualizing Los Angeles through the lens of Chandler's extraordinary descriptions.

It's a common misconception to view Chandler as a critic of California or Los Angeles. Instead, his work offered a delicate balancing of the city's dark underbelly and its alluring shine. As Marlowe remarked in "The Long Goodbye," there was no question that Chandler preferred the "big, sordid, dirty crooked city" over the alternatives.

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Arvind Ethan David is a distinguished author and producer, best known for his stage adaptations of Douglas Adams' novel "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" and "Lenny Henry's The Boy with Wings." In addition to "Trouble is My Business," his graphic novels include the critically acclaimed Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency series, "Darkness Visible" (Stoker Nominated, co-written with Mike Carey), and "Gray," a reinterpretation of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." He is also a leading producer of the Tony and Grammy-winning musical "Jagged Little Pill."

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References:

[1] Muir, Tom (2013). "The Complete Raymond Chandler." New York Review Books.

[2] Ellis, Richard (2005). "Raymond Chandler: A Life in Pictures." University Press of Kentucky.

[3] Emery, Matthew (2015). "A Companion to Raymond Chandler." Wiley-Blackwell.

[4] Stephans, Robert G. (1988). "Raymond Chandler." University Press of Kentucky.

[5] Gelder, Kenneth (2009). "The British Museum of Crime: Homage to Raymond Chandler." British Library Publishing.

  • "In his graphic novel adaption of 'Trouble is My Business', Arvind Ethan David masterfully captures the essence of Raymond Chandler's unique fusion of fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink episodes within the noir backdrop of California."
  • "Chandler's intimate knowledge of California, extending beyond just the noir genre, is evident in his insightful portrayal of the city's home-and-garden sceneries, relationships dynamics, and the complexities of travel within the state."
  • "David's interpretation of Chandler's work in the graphic novel 'Trouble is My Business' showcases the author's distinct style, which incorporates elements of cars, reflecting the city's distinctive character and movement."

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