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Book Review: ロング・グッドバイ レイモンド・チャンドラー, 村上 春樹 Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler trans. Haruki Murakami

A classic noir tale in Japanese—Chandler's voice through Murakami's translation.




I’ve always liked voices with character—the kind that sound like someone who’s seen a bit too much but still cracks wise. That’s the voice you get with Philip Marlowe, the private detective in The Long Goodbye. Listening to the Japanese audiobook, I was surprised by how well it captured that tone. Usually, when I watch Hollywood movies dubbed into Japanese, something feels slightly off—the rhythm or tone doesn’t quite match. But in this case, the atmosphere came through clearly. No awkwardness, no flatness. Just Marlowe, smoky and sharp, as he should be.

The story itself sticks close to Chandler’s signature hard-boiled style. There’s no shortage of whiskey, cigarettes, and cynical observations. The plot moves at a steady pace, with just enough twists to keep you paying attention. It’s not over-explained, either. The writing is tight—no fluff, no filler. 

Japanese Language Notes

For Japanese learners, this isn’t an easy read. The sentence structure, the idioms, the detective slang—it’s all there, and it’s not watered down. If you’re not at N1 level (and even if you are), you’ll probably miss some of the nuances on your first read. I read it in both English and Japanese and still found myself catching new details on the second and third go.

That said, it’s a rewarding challenge. If you’re at N2 and up for a bit of a workout, tools like DeepL, Kindle dictionary, or Yomichan can really help. Just don’t expect a smooth ride—this is gritty reading, not light practice.

English Language Version for English Learners

If you’re learning English, The Long Goodbye is also worth reading in its original language. Chandler’s writing is sharp, rhythmic, and full of voice—it’s the kind of prose that helps you develop an ear for natural dialogue and vivid description. The book is also a great window into 1950s America: the slang, the cultural references, the atmosphere of smoky bars and sunlit streets with a dark edge. If you like noir films or Murakami’s fiction, reading Chandler in English helps you see where much of that mood and style originally came from. You’ll spot the influence immediately, and it adds a deeper layer to Murakami’s own writing if you’re familiar with both.

Why Read This?

If you’re into detective fiction, noir, or classic American literature, this is a good one. It also offers a glimpse into the kind of storytelling that influenced Haruki Murakami’s own writing. You can feel Chandler’s fingerprints all over Murakami’s rhythm and style. Reading The Long Goodbye in Japanese is almost like reading the origin story of Murakami’s literary voice.

Where to Get It

Here are the links if you’re interested in checking out the book in either language:

I've provided links for the audiobook and the real or Kindle versions as that is how I like to read Japanese books - simultaneously reading and listening. If you are interested in this please see my post on this topic - Extensive reading with Kindle and Audible books

Final Thoughts

The Long Goodbye is more than a detective novel. It’s a masterclass in voice, mood, and how a good narrator can carry a story. Whether you’re reading to improve your Japanese, explore the roots of Murakami’s style, or just want a good noir tale, this one’s worth the time.

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