Killer in the Rain by
Raymond Chandler: A review by Warren Bull
image from pixabay
This collection of eight stories includes the ones Chandler
called “cannibalized” becaused he used
parts of them in his novels. The used
parts vary from single scenes to long passages. He often took
from more than
one short story in one novel. It’s fun to see how characters and elements are
changed
in the novels. Some are
extensions help clarify what it is only hinted at in the stories.
The short stories stand very well on their own even though
the PI has not yet evolved into Phillip
Marlowe. The protagonist is nameless in the first story. In later stories he is Carmady, John
Dalmas
and John Evans. By whatever name, the hero’s mission is to protect the
weak and innocent. He makes
sure justice is done one way or another. He is
brave and he is more interested in cleaning up messes
than in making money.
There is action. So much action in so few words it sometimes
leaves the plots in second place. But
they are well worth reading.
Chandler has
a memorable way with analogies and descriptions.
Here is an example, in the short story Curtains: “The air
steamed. The walls and ceiling of the glass
house dripped. In the halflight
enormous tropical plants spread their blooms and branches all over the
place,
and the smell of them was almost as overpowering as the smell of boiling
alcohol.”
Here is the same scene adapted for The Big Sleep:
The air was thick, wet, steamy and larded with the
cloying smell of tropical
orchards in bloom. The glass walls and roof were heavily misted with big
drops
of moisture splashed down on the plants. The light had an unreal greenish
colour, like light
filtered through an aquarium tank. The plants filled the
place, a forest if them, with nasty, meaty
leaves and stalks like the newly
washed fingers of dead men. They smelled as overpowering as
boiling alcohol
under a blanket.”
Although longer, the writing is more intense with not one extra word.
It is clear why Chandler holds a unique place in mystery
writing. I recommend the book very highly.
Wow, what a vivid description, I can feel the humidity. Going to have to look up the nameless protagonist story. Interesting concept.
ReplyDeleteThis shows us one of the reasons Chandler is such a classic!
ReplyDeleteI often view short stories as "sketches" for other works, the way an artist may, for instance, draw a bridge planned for a bigger piece in various lights & from various angles. It helps give a feel for characters, settings and scenes.
Love the hot house description!
ReplyDeleteI create new characters in a short story and may bring them back in a future work.
Warren, I've followed so many of your recommendations that I guess a Chandler book will be one of my next books. Thanks for the recommendations.
ReplyDeleteWarren, I have to put that book on my list to read, too.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing review. Several of my novels began as nuggets in short stories. So interesting to see the way Chandler's seeds turned into more. Thanks!
ReplyDelete