Chester Bomar Himes (1909–84) was an African American writer, best known for his hard-boiled detective fiction and explorations of race and social injustice. His gritty, satirical works captured the complexities of Black life in America.
Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, Himes faced racial discrimination early on. Expelled from Ohio State University, he was sentenced to prison for armed robbery (1929–36,) where he began writing. His stories, published in Esquire, launched his literary career.
His first novel, If He Hollers Let Him Go (1945,) examines racism in wartime America. Other early works include Lonely Crusade (1947,) exploring labor struggles, and Cast the First Stone (1952,) based on his prison experiences.
Himes gained international fame with his Harlem Detective series, featuring detectives Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. The series includes A Rage in Harlem (1957,) The Real Cool Killers (1959,) and Cotton Comes to Harlem (1965,) later adapted into a film (1970.)
His autobiographies, The Quality of Hurt (1972) and My Life as Absurdity (1976,) offer insights into his life and literary journey.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Chester Himes
Growth is the surviving influence in all our lives. The tree will send up its trunk in thick profusion from land burned black by atom bombs. Children will grow from poverty and filth and oppression and develop honor, integrity, contribute to all mankind.
—Chester Himes
Topics: Growth
Martyrs are needed to create incidents.
Incidents are needed to create revolutions. Revolutions are needed to create progress.
—Chester Himes
Topics: Heroes
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