The Mystery of Raymond Chandler

Judith Freeman, lecturer in the Master of Professional Writing Program at USC Dornsife, takes us into the lives of novelist Raymond Chandler and his beloved wife, Cissy.

Described as part biography, part detective story, part love story and part séance, Freeman's "The Long Embrace" is an engaging novel about the life and love of perhaps the foremost chronicler of the City of Angels. In this video, Freeman takes us to two houses that marked important turning points for Chandler.

For more info:
http://college.usc.edu/news/2008/03/freeman.html

Video by Mira Zimet.
Music by General Fuzz.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• usc
• college
• university
• of
• southern
• california
• master
• professional
• writing
• judith
• freeman
• long
• embrace
• raymond
• chandler

[greatsea]

I just read a blurb somewhere with Martin Amis saying Leonard Elmore (who is an inconsistently good writer) makes Raymond Chandler seem clumsy. That is just rank asininity. I'm not sure what would motivate such an accomplished critic to say such a thing. My guess is Amis has some kind of personal problem with Chandler. Chandler has been accused being a bigot.

[jontycampbell]

Could do without the background muzak

[apexxxx10]

"I am an ocaasional drinker, the kind of guy who goes out for a beer and wakes up in Singapore with a full beard."

Raymond Chandler

Posted by John K Lindgren

Bangkok

[sachalex]

this is a fine interview with Judith on Chandler. Say, Judith, did U ever read

any of A.t'Serstevens 's novels? Different universe but same

generation. Check out Arlea edition and type

Cendrars with whom t'Serstevens had a 48 years friendship. Tibi.

[raphaelU]

I love Chandler's writing. I only wish he wrote more. I'm picking up Freeman's book tomorrow to gain a deeper perspective on Chandler's short stories and novels.

[keefek]

If you care about Raymond Chandler, or the history of Los Angeles, or the history of noir, or even, I must say, portraits of literary marriges, you must get this book: The Long Embrace. It is spellbinding.

[ManilaSyndicate]

Nice vid. Chandler is one of my literary heroes and viewing the homes he lived in and images of him and his wife was pretty inspiring. I look forward to getting "The Long Embrace" as re-reading the man's works at the moment it would add further to the myth and aura of the great writer.