Raymond Chandler: Farewell My Lovely (Dramatised)

By: Raymond Chandler

Narrated by: Toby Stephens, Richard Ridings, Madeline Potter, Patt Starr, Jude Akuwudike, Sean Baker, Joanna Munro, Lloyd Thomas, Iain Batchelor, Sam Dale, Adeel Akhtar

Toby Stephens stars in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Raymond Chandler’s second Philip Marlowe mystery.

Fast-talking, trouble-seeking private eye Philip Marlowe is a different kind of detective: a moral man in an amoral world. California in the ’40s and ’50s is as beautiful as a ripe fruit and rotten to the core, and Marlowe must struggle to retain his integrity amidst the corruption he encounters daily.

In ‘Farewell My Lovely’, Marlowe has a chance encounter with a not-so-gentle giant outside Florian’s nightclub. Just released from prison, Moose Malloy is looking for his old flame, red-haired Velma Valento, who he last saw eight years ago.

Before Marlowe can blink, Malloy has smashed up the club, broken the manager’s neck and headed out of the door. Marlowe knows this mess is none of his business, but he has a hunch that he can find Velma. He just has to hope that curiosity doesn’t get him killed as well...Starring Toby Stephens, this fast-paced dramatisation is full of wisecracks and colourful characters, and retains all the charm and humour of Chandler’s stylish, suspenseful novel.

©2011 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2011 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A Great Re-Creation of a Lost Artform

Any additional comments?

I didn't expect them to be able to recreate the amazing atmosphere found in those old 40's & 50's radio plays but they proved me wrong. Everything from the cast to the music is right up to par with the high standards of that lost time. Definately worth the purchase if you're a fan of detective stories of ANY sort.

Why did they change the story?

Would you try another book from Raymond Chandler and/or the narrators?

All their Chandler is a travesty here at audible.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have told the fricken' story to make it more enjoyable.

Did the narrators do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Considering they are Brits, I guess the voice actors were OK.

Do you think Raymond Chandler: Farewell My Lovely (Dramatised) needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No follow up from these idiots, please.

Any additional comments?

Get it unabridged and I'll buy it.

GREAT ADAPTATION OF A CLASSIC

HERE IS WHAT IS PROBABLY RAYMOND CHANDLER'S GREATEST MARLOW EPIC. IT HAS BEEN ADAPTED FOR THE BIG SCREEN MANY TIMES, SOME SUCCESSFUL, SOME NOT SO MUCH; AND NOW HERE IS THIS FINE PRODUCTION THAT IS AVAILABLE ON AUDIBLE; AND IT HITS EVERY NOTE PERFECTLY. THIS IS A DRAMATISED PRODUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL, AND HAS A WONDERFUL CAST OF CHARACTERS. BETTER THAN ANY OLD TIME RADIO ADAPTATION, BECAUSE IT STILL RETAINS ALL THE COLORFUL PROSE OF CHANDLER'S ORIGINAL NOVEL. AN EXCELLENT WAY TO SPEND SOME TIME IN THE COMPANY OF PRIVATE EYES, GANGSTERS, AND DAMES.

Marlow the Great

What did you love best about Raymond Chandler: Farewell My Lovely (Dramatised)?

All the atmosphere which was perfectly mirrored in the audiobook. Actors that performed voices were really good. Also sound effects build perfectly the right circumstances feeling

What was one of the most memorable moments of Raymond Chandler: Farewell My Lovely (Dramatised)?

Every part of that book for me is memorable

Any additional comments?

It is a pity that it's abbriged. With love I would listen to the whole book made in the same manner. This is why I did not put 5 stars but 4

Still a bookworm

I owe a debt of gratitude to the performance as I then sought out the book, which is astonishingly good.

Very Abridged

I purchased this wanting to hear all of Chandler's wonderful prose. Despite the indication that it was unabridged, this recording (and I suppose the others in the series, on which I wasted my credits, are simply characters spouting dialogue without the full unabridged prose. A huge disappointment. I couldn't listen to it.