book_bookman 's review for:

A Rage in Harlem by Chester Himes

4.0

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Finally, crime fiction I can vibe with. This works because it’s the right mix of fatalism and desperation, and it’s gritty as hell. The world’s biggest sucker gets tossed around by life because he’s too oblivious to realize he’s being taken advantage of, it’s compelling stuff. Also Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones are great side characters with even better names. The depiction of Harlem reminds me of Depression-era literature where it’s just a bunch of desperate people trying to make it by, it’s a great setting for this kind of story. Also the violence in this is nuts, especially for the 1950s!