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A RAGE IN HARLEM by Chester Himes 1957
Its the first of Himes' Harlem Series, and the introduction of detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones.
The story: A funeral home flunkey named Jackson begs, borrows, and steals $1500 he gives to a con artist to change into $15,000 by a machine that changes ten dollar bills to hundred dollar bills. Jackson's honey put him up to it, and is part of the scam. She and the gang vanish after Jackson is robbed.
Jackson then steals $500 from his boss to play poker with, to win back some of the $1500 he lost to the con artists, but loses it playing poker. Outta money and desperate, Jackson appeals to his twin brother, a cross-dressing con and heroin addict called 'Sister Gabriel' to help find the missing girlfriend and his money.
Towards the end the action becomes over the top violent when people literally lose their heads. Some underage sex involving young prostitutes and criminals.
The book milks racial stereotypes. Himes called the book an absurdity but added. the negro life is a mix of reality and absurdity. The book doesn't flatter blacks.
Himes published the Harlem books in France. This book and COTTON COMES TO HARLEM were made into movies.
Its the first of Himes' Harlem Series, and the introduction of detectives Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones.
The story: A funeral home flunkey named Jackson begs, borrows, and steals $1500 he gives to a con artist to change into $15,000 by a machine that changes ten dollar bills to hundred dollar bills. Jackson's honey put him up to it, and is part of the scam. She and the gang vanish after Jackson is robbed.
Jackson then steals $500 from his boss to play poker with, to win back some of the $1500 he lost to the con artists, but loses it playing poker. Outta money and desperate, Jackson appeals to his twin brother, a cross-dressing con and heroin addict called 'Sister Gabriel' to help find the missing girlfriend and his money.
Towards the end the action becomes over the top violent when people literally lose their heads. Some underage sex involving young prostitutes and criminals.
The book milks racial stereotypes. Himes called the book an absurdity but added. the negro life is a mix of reality and absurdity. The book doesn't flatter blacks.
Himes published the Harlem books in France. This book and COTTON COMES TO HARLEM were made into movies.
