I'll Be Waiting by Raymond Chandler

Guest narrator is Brendan Sullivan Brendan is an illustrator, artist, and graphic designer from Florida who dabbles in audio storytelling. He’s worked across several industries, from themed attractions to product lines to architecture, and he has a love for using creative color palettes, interesting compositions, and whimsical shapes. He’s admittedly rather fond of oddities and monsters, and will gladly take a detour to study history’s more strange and intriguing paths. He has a a website where people can see work and get in touch, which is sullivanartco.com. He is on Instagram as @sullivanartco. In his 1944 essay, "The Simple Art of Murder," Raymond Chandler discused the type of crime fiction he and his idol, Dashiell Hammett, had been writing for the previous twenty years: ". . . there are still quite a few people around who say that Hammett did not write detective stories at all, merely hard-boiled chronicles of mean streets with a perfunctory mystery element dropped in like the olive in a martini." Arguably, by the time Chandler published "I'll Be Waiting" in 1939, he had pretty much tossed away the olive. Raymond Chandler, born on July 23, 1888, in Chicago, Illinois, was a British-American novelist and screenwriter who left an indelible mark on the hardboiled detective fiction genre. Spending much of his early life in England, Chandler had a diverse career that included stints in the British Civil Service and the Canadian Army during World War I. It wasn't until he was 44 that he turned to fiction writing. His breakthrough came with the publication of "The Big Sleep" in 1939, introducing the iconic private detective Philip Marlowe. Chandler's gritty realism, sharp dialogue, and keen insight into human nature defined his writing, making him a prominent figure in 20th-century literature. Beyond novels like "The Big Sleep" and "The Long Goodbye," Chandler also made significant contributions to Hollywood as a screenwriter. "I'll Be Waiting" is a compelling short story by Raymond Chandler, first published in 1939. Set in a fictional Latin American city, the narrative follows Tony Reseck, a former cop turned night manager at a hotel. The story revolves around Reseck's involvement with a troubled couple, Eloise and Floyd Thursby. Eloise seeks refuge from her abusive husband, and Reseck, despite his cynical exterior, becomes entangled in their complex relationship. Chandler's signature noir style shines through in this tale, with sharp dialogue, a mysterious atmosphere, and a cynical view of human nature, showcasing his mastery of the short story format. "I'll Be Waiting" holds a significant place in the realm of noir hardboiled detective fiction. Chandler's storytelling in this narrative reflects the core elements of the genre – a morally ambiguous protagonist, a gritty urban setting, and a plot laced with suspense and intrigue. The story exemplifies Chandler's ability to navigate the complexities of human relationships within a dark and shadowy backdrop. As a master of the genre, Chandler's influence extends beyond his novels, leaving an enduring legacy in both literature and film, shaping the conventions of noir storytelling for generations to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices