A Rage in Harlem

A Grave Digger & Coffin Ed Novel

By: Chester Himes

Narrated by: Samuel L. Jackson

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.

Explore more titles performed by some of the most celebrated actors in the business in Audible’s Star-Powered Listens collection.©1957 Chester Himes (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

"You're gonna be a square all your life"

I read Cotton Comes to Harlem by Himes and thought it was phenomenal so I decided to give this one a try. Once again, Himes gives you a picture of gritty Harlem, and who better than Samuel L. Jackson to read it? Jackson gives a great performance overall, although I felt his women characters were perhaps a bit overwrought. In a novel dominated by men, it's OK though. His depiction of Goldy, the brother of the lead character, is the most memorable performance--a delightful portrayal of a very seedy eccentric character. (Goldy impersonates a nun and sells tickets to get into heaven.) I don't think that this is Himes at his best but it's still pretty damn good detective fiction. It seems like Guy Richie took a few notes from Himes.

Bought for Jackson, kept applauding for Himes

I am outraged that Himes was never mentioned in any of my lit classes, but mostly I'm grateful to discover him now. Like many here, I was drawn in by Samuel L. Jackson's narration. Thank you, Mr. Jackson, not only for doing stellar work as the narrator, but for shining a spotlight on an astonishingly talented storyteller! I've read three Grave Digger and Coffin Ed books since "A Rage in Harlem", and have been researching the life of Chester Himes as well. Thank you!

Samuel L. Jackson, wow!

Chester Himes can write! Amazing jazz flow descriptions, brilliant dialogue, characterizations sublime. Sam Jackson inspired

A Square Does Okay

If you could sum up A Rage in Harlem in three words, what would they be?

Crime fiction excellence

What did you like best about this story?

Good characters, suspense, weirdness

What about Samuel L. Jackson’s performance did you like?

good dramatic reading

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

I tried to tell Jackson several times, "Don't do that!" So I guess I cared about the square.

Samuel L. Jackson + Story = Must Listen

Samuel L. Jackson showed off his acting talents!! consistent narration of multiple characters voices and personalities transported me into the story and Harlem. Listened during a flight and couldn’t wait to get home to finish listening and find out what would happen next.
Definitely recommend audible with SLJ as narrator versus reading