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.

I loved it!

This was done perfectly. I’m now a fan and look forward to listening to more of the authors work in the future.

Two mules hitched to the same wagon

"Colored folks and trouble, Jackson thought, like two mules hitched to the same wagon."
- Chester Himes, A Rage in Harlem

Funny as hell. Brilliant. Absurd. Subversive. This shit was published in 1959. Some of the best AAVE I've ever read and the imagery Himes pulls out kills me. This is my first Himes, but definitely not my last. I think I'll read 'The Real Cool Killers' and 'If He Hollers Let Him Go.' I spent a couple days in Harlem earlier this year with my wife. I love recognizing the geography Himes describes. Its been 60 years, but somethings, apparently, in New York, don't change much. Here's a good example of his fluency:

"Looking eastward from the towers of Riverside Church, perched among the university buildings on the high banks of the Hudson River, in a valley far below, waves of gray rooftops distort the perspective like the surface of a sea. Below the surface, in the murky waters of fetid tenements, a city of black people who are convulsed in desperate living, like the voracious churning of millions of hungry cannibal fish. Blind mouths eating their own guts. Stick in a hand and draw back a nub. That is Harlem."

The Hold Package - It has Everything

What made the experience of listening to A Rage in Harlem the most enjoyable?

Jackson's portrayal of each character was so realistic; his naration put you there in Harlem.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Rage in Harlem?

Finding out the sister of Mercy was his brother on dope and in drag.

Which scene was your favorite?

The conversation between him and his lady's sister when he first attempted to find out where she had gone. The way he imitated the sister had me in stiches; I was laughing so hard.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was sadden by the murder of his brother that was dress as a sister of mercy and stuffed in the back of the hearse.

Any additional comments?

This was so good; it deserves a do over. I have to listen again and maybe this time I can come away remembering all of the characters name.Also I must find more books written by Chester Himes and hope I can find more books narrated by Samuel L Jackson. Chester Himes is great author and Samuel L Jackson is a great narrator and together they were FANTASTIC!!

Good book Great Performance

Loved hearing Samuel Jackson read this book. He made it seem real, and couldn't stop listening to it.

I came here for Samuel L Jackson.

Where does A Rage in Harlem rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I don't know that this book ranks all that high on the list of audiobooks Ive listened to, but its a solid piece of work

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Jackson's brother. He had the most depth and range.

Which scene was your favorite?

"The Blow" right at the beginning

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Everyone else seems to know not to trust a high yellow woman.

Any additional comments?

I got this book strictly because Samuel L Jackson was the narrator. Based on his performance, I would get any other book he narrated too.

Outstanding storytelling!

Colorful characters, fast-moving storyline and imaginative dialogue! First time reading this inventive tale of hustlers and squares that became the blueprint for all that have followed and Samuel Jackson's animated narration brings it all together.

CHESTER HIMES/SAMUEL L. JACKSON CAN'T GET BETTER

A book with incredible vitality raised to a new level by the sustained performance of Samuel L Jackson....
Just let this book work on you before forming any opinion...then reread!!!

Interesting characters, great narration

So many unique characters. Five stars is not enough for Samuel L’s narration. I’ll definitely listen to more Himes read by him

I am a little on the fence

I thought that Jackson did a fantastic job narrating but I feel like the story was a little weak. I appreciate what Himes did with this but I just didn't feel like the story was deep enough. I enjoyed the story but it felt a little juvenile.

Wild!

A classic! Such a wild ride. Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones aren't in this one much, but Jackson is such a great protagonist. I can't believe so much happens in this short book! CW for gore, n-word, gendered violence, murder, attempted rape.