Chester B. Himes

Chester B. HimesDiscover the evocative life and work of Chester B. Himes through Lawrence P. Jackson's definitive biography. Himes, hailed as a monumental figure in the black literary tradition, adeptly captured the tumult of the twentieth century with his sharp prose and pioneering narratives. Known for seminal works like 'If He Hollers Let Him Go' and the acclaimed Harlem detective series, Himes explored complex themes of race, identity, and the American

Discover the evocative life and work of Chester B. Himes through Lawrence P. Jackson's definitive biography. Himes, hailed as a monumental figure in the black literary tradition, adeptly captured the tumult of the twentieth century with his sharp prose and pioneering narratives. Known for seminal works like 'If He Hollers Let Him Go' and the acclaimed Harlem detective series, Himes explored complex themes of race, identity, and the American experience. This biography, published by W W Norton & Company, is essential for any reader seeking to understand the legacy of African American literature and how Himes's life experiences shaped his remarkable storytelling. With 624 pages of rich content, readers will engage with exclusive interviews and insights that reveal Himes not just as a literary giant but as a controversial and transformative figure in American letters. Delve into Himes's struggles and triumphs, including his eight years in prison and his escape to Europe, which facilitated his artistic success. This BRAND NEW book (ISBN: 9780393063899) invites a new generation to appreciate the literary contributions of Chester B. Himes. Please note: Shipping for this item is free. Allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780393063899
Year: 2017
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 624


Description:


Chester B. Himes has been called "one of the towering figures of the black literary tradition" (Henry Louis Gates Jr.), "the best writer of mayhem yarns since Raymond Chandler" (San Francisco Chronicle), and "a quirky American genius" (Walter Mosely). He was the twentieth century's most prolific black writer, captured the spirit of his times expertly, and left a distinctive mark on American literature. Yet today he stands largely forgotten. In this definitive biography of Chester B. Himes (1909?1984), Lawrence P. Jackson uses exclusive interviews and unrestricted access to Himes's full archives to portray a controversial American writer whose novels unflinchingly confront sex, racism, and black identity. Himes brutally rendered racial politics in the best-selling novel If He Hollers Let Him Go, but he became famous for his Harlem detective series, including Cotton Comes to Harlem. A serious literary tastemaker in his day, Himes had friendships”sometimes uneasy”with such luminaries as Ralph Ellison, Carl Van Vechten, and Richard Wright. Jackson's scholarship and astute commentary illuminates Himes's improbable life”his middle-class origins, his eight years in prison, his painful odyssey as a black World War II?era artist, and his escape to Europe for success. More than ten years in the writing, Jackson's biography restores the legacy of a fascinating maverick caught between his aspirations for commercial success and his disturbing, vivid portraits of the United States.