Scan barcode
minkkmuse's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gritty and atmospheric: smoke-filled bars, greasy dollar bills, the rain-slicked harlem streets.
butterscotchsundae's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
crazycatplantlady's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
pwc1919's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ravaviera's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tony_t's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"A rage in Harlem" was my first novel by Chester Himes. I was unsure about what to expect but I always look for books that carry the Vintage Crime / Black Lizard designation and I am rarely disappointed. Fast moving and fully immersed in the Harlem environment, we are introduced to the perennial loser Jackson and the two detectives, Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones, who will end up being involved in a scam gone horribly wrong. A quick and engaging read, I can recommend this one wholeheartedly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Drug use
tylerdad's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I learned about Chester Hymes on the 60th anniversary of his death. He was a near contemporary of Chandler and Hammett, and some of his writing, I gathered, was in their style, except about the black experience in Harlem.
Having recently read crime story takes on Harlem of the 1950’s and 60’s by Colson Whitehead, Jake Lamar, and James McBride, I was excited to read the original source material; someone who was alive at the time and knew that world firsthand, and no doubt was an inspiration for those writing a half century later.
I was not disappointed. While I see the comparison to Chandler and Hammet, Himes has his own unique voice. At least, in this first book in the Harlem series, it is both darker and funnier than those classic predecessors, and, if you can believe it, even more cynical.
In this first book in this series, the 2 detectives—Gravedigger and Coffinhead, have relatively minor roles. Certainly no Marlowe or Spade to follow.
But writing is propulsive and the descriptions of Harlem unforgettable.
Having recently read crime story takes on Harlem of the 1950’s and 60’s by Colson Whitehead, Jake Lamar, and James McBride, I was excited to read the original source material; someone who was alive at the time and knew that world firsthand, and no doubt was an inspiration for those writing a half century later.
I was not disappointed. While I see the comparison to Chandler and Hammet, Himes has his own unique voice. At least, in this first book in the Harlem series, it is both darker and funnier than those classic predecessors, and, if you can believe it, even more cynical.
In this first book in this series, the 2 detectives—Gravedigger and Coffinhead, have relatively minor roles. Certainly no Marlowe or Spade to follow.
But writing is propulsive and the descriptions of Harlem unforgettable.
maddiepalmer443's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0