A Rage in Harlem

A Grave Digger & Coffin Ed Novel

By: Chester Himes

Narrated by: Samuel L. Jackson

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Fiction, 2013

Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Star Wars films), fresh off the success of his uproarious, Audie-nominated performance of the mock children’s book Go the F**k to Sleep, delivers a swaggering, darkly-humored rendering of Chester Himes’ classic first novel.

Himes, described by The Sunday Times as “the greatest find in American crime fiction since Raymond Chandler”, was no stranger to the world of crime: in his late teens and early 20s, he served seven years in the Ohio State Penitentiary for armed robbery, the confession to which was beaten out of him by the police. He delivers the tale of his hopelessly naïve hero suddenly finding himself on the run from a hypocritical and far-from-heroic police force with lurid violence and brutal humor. There is no voice better than Mr. Jackson’s to narrate this hardboiled story of love and crime, set in a richly imagined, mid-20th-century Harlem.

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©1957 Chester Himes (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

SL Jackson is amazing!

Seriously, Samuel L. Jackson needs to narrate more audio books! I felt like I was inside the book as I listened to him read. The story is a bit contrived at times, but that was rescued by the narration.

Gold Standard for Audiobook Narrations

Incredibly vivid story, able to be both completely hilarious and interminably dark without feeling disjointed. Samuel L. Jackson’s narration here was one of the first audiobooks I ever truly loved, and it’s apparent why. He’s so animated, breathing life into every character and making very decisive acting choices throughout. The gold standard for audiobooks, as far as I’m concerned. [AUDIBLE]

Funny and Clever

Samuel Jackson shines in this madcap tale of bumbling criminals. Just listen, it is great all the way through.

Samuel L Jackson Kicked It To Highest Level

The characters were well developed and funny. The story had a good solid base but spun out of control; however; Samuel L Jackson's skilled storytelling kept me entertained and interested. I loved the surprise twists and turns and the detailed descriptions of the people and places were excellent.

An excellent introduction to Chester Himes

I've struggled with the Himes books on my shelf so this audiobook - with Sam Jackson - was an easy purchase and I'm glad I made it.

Makes a great companion to Iceberg Slim's audiobooks and contains Some real gems as far as stylistic prose goes.

Now I'm gonna dust those paperbacks of mine off and have Himes wisk me away to 1950's Harlem

Welcome to Harlem

No one else could bring Chester Himes’ Harlem to life like Sam L. Jackson. His voice is perfect for Himes’ prose. This novel introduces us to his famous detectives: Coffin Ed & Gravedigger Jones, it’s a tale that is equal parts, thrilling, suspenseful, terrifying, and still manages to be funny in the face of it all. An entertaining read and very unique.

GOOD READ

l loved how Mr. Jackson read this book. I look forward to listening to other books he reads.

Don't take my word for it, Samuel L Jackson recommends it

Obviously, Sam Jackson doesn't need the money so he took this job out of passion. I understand why. This is a deliciously dirty little morsel. A slice of history and culture made fresh with the vernacular delivered as only Sam Jackson can. I love Jim Thompson and now i love his brother from a different mother.

Meh...

The action episodes were decent, but the ending was too neat. It didn't seem to match the rest of the story. Samuel Jackson's performance was golden. I finished listening because of his narration.

Great Narration

This is my first time finishing an Audible book in one day! Great book very exciting!!!!