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cody_reads_books's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
commander's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jobeecebrero's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
criminolly's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t like this quite as much as the first two, but still great and the ending was wonderful.
cyberarcanist's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mobyskine's review against another edition
4.0
It was a hectic plot but I really enjoyed it quite well compared to The Big Sleep. The High Window was set in the early 1930s, private detective Philip Marlowe was hired by a wealthy widow who wants him to find her missing daughter-in-law and a rare gold coin that went lost in her possession.
The vibe was not much different from the first book in the series, but I think Marlowe was fun, more cynical and quite talkative (think Chandler was being witty a bit while writing this manuscript) in here that I love his character a lot-- loving his kind of thinking and observations, things that I missed out but Marlowe could identified. The case was so drama-ish (at first, cause of the family conflict etc) and quite intriguing (when suddenly it became too thrilling with few sudden unknown murders), love the sharp and meticulous narration, all those amusing dialogues and Merle! Somehow love how Marlowe wrapping up the case(s), he was so straightforward and really assertive.
"Until you guys own your own souls you don’t own mine. Until you guys can be trusted every time and always, in all times and conditions, to seek the truth out and find it and let the chips fall where they may—until that time comes, I have a right to listen to my conscience..."
The vibe was not much different from the first book in the series, but I think Marlowe was fun, more cynical and quite talkative (think Chandler was being witty a bit while writing this manuscript) in here that I love his character a lot-- loving his kind of thinking and observations, things that I missed out but Marlowe could identified. The case was so drama-ish (at first, cause of the family conflict etc) and quite intriguing (when suddenly it became too thrilling with few sudden unknown murders), love the sharp and meticulous narration, all those amusing dialogues and Merle! Somehow love how Marlowe wrapping up the case(s), he was so straightforward and really assertive.
"Until you guys own your own souls you don’t own mine. Until you guys can be trusted every time and always, in all times and conditions, to seek the truth out and find it and let the chips fall where they may—until that time comes, I have a right to listen to my conscience..."
stefhyena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It flowed better than the first one. Mostly I could follow what was happening. It was still witty but it didn't allow clarity to be sacrificed to wit.
The misogyny and racism of the book- not all of it Marlowe's some coming in from what I can only assume was Chandler's world view is still distracting and depressing but the story itself seemed better than the big sleep. The twists were satisfying in a way even if the main one was overly obvious and depended so strongly on a misogynist trope.
All the DV in the background as well as Marlowe constantly patting the little negro statue on the head kind of sum up the worldview of the book which is extremely ick (and no it doesn't get a free pass just because it is old). Although it was problematic, bits of it were enjoyable and if the ending was a bit less predictable it might have boosted it's score a little.
The misogyny and racism of the book- not all of it Marlowe's some coming in from what I can only assume was Chandler's world view is still distracting and depressing but the story itself seemed better than the big sleep. The twists were satisfying in a way even if the main one was overly obvious and depended so strongly on a misogynist trope.
All the DV in the background as well as Marlowe constantly patting the little negro statue on the head kind of sum up the worldview of the book which is extremely ick (and no it doesn't get a free pass just because it is old). Although it was problematic, bits of it were enjoyable and if the ending was a bit less predictable it might have boosted it's score a little.
liline_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
musicsaves's review against another edition
4.0
FIRST LINE REVIEW: "The house was on Dresden Avenue in the Oak Noll section of Pasadena, a big solid cool-looking house with burgundy brick walls, a terra cotta tile roof, and a white stone trim." Okay, not the most provocative first line of a novel. But, hey, my mom lives on Oak Noll (though in a different state and spelled a little differently). Anyway, another fun crime noir from the master. Not quite as fast-paced and twisting as the first two, but still an enjoyable and quick read.