Playback

Rating:
Summary: Depending on how you read it.
Review: Yes, Playback is the last of Chandler's novels.

No, it isn't the best of his novels-- not by a long shot.

Yes, it is still worth the time that it takes to read.

Playback is an afterword to a great series. It's a little bit sadder, a little bit more cynical. Marlowe (like Chandler himself?) is going through the motions and none of what used to interest him is quite as compelling. He's seen a vision of how it all ends and can't stay quite as focused on the plot.

In the book, Marlowe agrees to enjoy the charms of the lovely Miss Vermilyea, but not unless she agrees to go somewhere besides his apartment. He'd fallen in love with someone there, and isn't sure that her charms will live up to the comparison.

He says: "I had a dream here once, a year and a half ago. There's still a shred of it left."

As a reader, you may have the same feeling about this book. It's a lovely moment, but not to be compared to the real thing.

But still, a lovely moment.