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The Collected Stories of Chester Himes
Presents stories written over more than forty years, including some previously unpublished, depicting the struggles of Blacks in American society
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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745 people want to read
About the author
Chester Himes
122 books484 followersChester Bomar Himes began writing in the early 1930s while serving a prison sentence for armed robbery. From there, he produced short stories for periodicals such as Esquire and Abbott's Monthly. When released, he focussed on semi-autobiographical protest novels.
In 1953, Himes emigrated to France, where he was approached by Marcel Duhamel of Gallimard to write a detective series for Série Noire, which had published works from the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Jim Thompson. Himes would be the first black author included in the series. The resulting Harlem Cycle gained him celebrity when he won France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for La Reine des Pommes (now known in English as A Rage in Harlem) in 1958. Three of these novels have been adapted into movies: Cotton Comes to Harlem, directed by Ossie Davis in 1970; Come Back, Charleston Blue (based on The Heat's On) in 1972; and A Rage in Harlem, starring Gregory Hines and Danny Glover in 1991.
In 1968, Himes moved to Spain where he made his home until his death.
In 1953, Himes emigrated to France, where he was approached by Marcel Duhamel of Gallimard to write a detective series for Série Noire, which had published works from the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Jim Thompson. Himes would be the first black author included in the series. The resulting Harlem Cycle gained him celebrity when he won France's Grand Prix de Littérature Policière for La Reine des Pommes (now known in English as A Rage in Harlem) in 1958. Three of these novels have been adapted into movies: Cotton Comes to Harlem, directed by Ossie Davis in 1970; Come Back, Charleston Blue (based on The Heat's On) in 1972; and A Rage in Harlem, starring Gregory Hines and Danny Glover in 1991.
In 1968, Himes moved to Spain where he made his home until his death.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 17, 2015
a dark twisted view of the american dream through the prism of racism. ultimately fatalistic I'm tone but grand in scope
February 19, 2018
There are some stories in this collection that are among the best stories written in the 20th century American fiction and there are some stories in here that are pretty uneven and dashed off, representative more of Himes perpetual poverty that kept him writing and selling his books and stories for far less money than he could have gotten, simply to have something. The first third or so of the stories are mostly African-American life in the early-to-mid 20th century, the middle third is a lot of prison stories, and you can tell when Himes gets out of prison himself, as the stories shift to international locations and become a bit more experimental in content and perspective. The first third and the last third are where Himes really shines, but the prison stories are the most uneven of the lot. The story "Friends" about a semi-paralyzed, mentally challenged man in prison whose only friend is, seriously, an alligator that crawls into his bed to snuggle with him, is just wild, but there are others that sort of go nowhere and become repetitive of other stories written. A "best of" collection would really show off Himes' talents in a much better light than this collected edition, but these stories for the most part crackle with the same witty macabre style that run all through his Harlem Detective series of novels.
November 28, 2014
I enjoyed this huge compilation of short works by Chester Himes but I didn't love it. The collection can roughly be divided in thirds, with the first-third being my favorite. The first third showcases some great snapshots of Black American life during World War II, descriptive and evocative of early 20th Century Los Angeles.
The second third consists of prison stories, each one longer than the other and I got bored after awhile because of their narrow scope.
The final third displays a free-form style of writing, i.e. one story analyzes a minister's sermon complete with country inflections. Another one probed the inner workings of a drunken black writer's mind. That group was even more boring than the prison tales.
If there was a standalone comp of just the wartime Los Angeles stories I would have given this five stars, and that's it.
The second third consists of prison stories, each one longer than the other and I got bored after awhile because of their narrow scope.
The final third displays a free-form style of writing, i.e. one story analyzes a minister's sermon complete with country inflections. Another one probed the inner workings of a drunken black writer's mind. That group was even more boring than the prison tales.
If there was a standalone comp of just the wartime Los Angeles stories I would have given this five stars, and that's it.
October 7, 2021
This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I found it by accident while I was killing time as a shopping assistant to my wife in Goodwill. Usually I don’t even look at books because I have about all I want or have room for. However somehow this one caught my eye, and I read one of the stories standing there in Goodwill. It was so wonderful that I took the $1.25 plunge.
I’ve read the first six stories. They are outstanding for helping me and I’m sure any reader understand the black experience in America. More later….
I’ve read the first six stories. They are outstanding for helping me and I’m sure any reader understand the black experience in America. More later….
July 16, 2019
COUNTDOWN: Mid-20th Century North American Crime
BOOK 85 (of 250)
In 1933, Himes published his first six works: five shorts and the novella, "Prison Mass". I've read 3 of Himes' novels and they were especially good in characters and atmosphere, so I chose "Prison Mass" to read first and to review. Besides, Himes probably wrote this while in prison. Does Himes deliver on characters and atmosphere during the first phase of his career?
HOOK - 3 stars: "The convicts shuffled up the worn, wooden stairs, filed through the doorway into the Catholic Chapel, 2 by 2....Just convicts...Some were white, some red, some brown, some black...Some Americans, some Mexicans...Soft-eyed embezzlers, granite-eyed killers, oily-haired politicians...The gamut of crime, the gamut of men." No doubt Himes knew every type of criminal, encountered every type of crime. But who will we meet?
PACE - 3: Right on target: no rush to tell a story, plenty of time for reflections.
PLOT - 4: Earl attends mass to borrow money; Merton is lured there by the 'bright altar lights'; and Willie has come to pray. Willie had taken a murder rap for his brother, who had died during Willie's incarceration. Willie's father had also died, and now his mother is dying of leukemia. These 3 are thrown into deep sadness and reflect upon what everything means.
This is heavy duty stuff: it hurts deep. Although one might argue this is purely character driven, there is a plot, and it's a big one: what happened to my life and now what do I do? Can the 3 men possibly come up with enough money so that Willie can visit his mom, that is IF the governor allows the visit? This could have been a melodramatic mess. It is not, but at points veers in that direction. There is nothing subtle here: Himes doesn't tap us gently with a rubber hammer.
CHARACTERS - 4: Earl Thomas (nicknamed 'Signifier' as a reference to his 'scoffing and jeering' at everything) is in his late 30s, solidly built. He has served 3 of his 7-year sentence for car theft.
Merton Wayne (nicknamed "Brightlights" because of his fascination, for example, on stage spotlights.) He is in the 'cripple' company for a fractured vertebra. Merton has served 4 of his 20-year sentence for robbery. Willie Manners (nicknamed 'Kid' because he entered prison at age 17) is thin and has vivid yellow hair. "His complexion was the peculiar whiteness of swiss cheese in the harsh light of a noon-day sun, but in the sympathetic shadows of the chapel his skin was smooth a cream colored." Kid has had the worst life has to offer, and bad things keep coming and coming. I'm sure Himes is Earl and Merton and Wayne. All 3 think of methods of redemption: Himes certainly did, just look at the body of work he left us. But again, Himes is just this side of melodrama: Kid looks different from everyone and he's the one that life has given the worst treatment.
ATMOSPHERE - 3: "The priest approached the altar...The congregation became suddenly silent...One could hear the laborious breathing of a nearby neighbor suffering from asthma or a severe cold...a crucifix of beaten bronze...Flickering candles...Tussels of silk." Himes' focus is on the chapel and on the possibilities offered by a Prison Mass on Christmas Day: the author rarely takes us into a jail cell. Flashbacks offer sins of youth.
SUMMARY - 3.4. I enjoy this story. Yes, Himes delivers on several levels. But in addition to Himes atmospheric touches, one of the best elements of his novels is the humor, and perhaps only after leaving prison could Himes find his way to ensure his characters laughed at themselves and each other. This is heavy stuff, man. Heavy. Himes, though, is good enough not to take us over the edge into melodrama. But he comes awfully close. More on Himes in my countdown.
BOOK 85 (of 250)
In 1933, Himes published his first six works: five shorts and the novella, "Prison Mass". I've read 3 of Himes' novels and they were especially good in characters and atmosphere, so I chose "Prison Mass" to read first and to review. Besides, Himes probably wrote this while in prison. Does Himes deliver on characters and atmosphere during the first phase of his career?
HOOK - 3 stars: "The convicts shuffled up the worn, wooden stairs, filed through the doorway into the Catholic Chapel, 2 by 2....Just convicts...Some were white, some red, some brown, some black...Some Americans, some Mexicans...Soft-eyed embezzlers, granite-eyed killers, oily-haired politicians...The gamut of crime, the gamut of men." No doubt Himes knew every type of criminal, encountered every type of crime. But who will we meet?
PACE - 3: Right on target: no rush to tell a story, plenty of time for reflections.
PLOT - 4: Earl attends mass to borrow money; Merton is lured there by the 'bright altar lights'; and Willie has come to pray. Willie had taken a murder rap for his brother, who had died during Willie's incarceration. Willie's father had also died, and now his mother is dying of leukemia. These 3 are thrown into deep sadness and reflect upon what everything means.
This is heavy duty stuff: it hurts deep. Although one might argue this is purely character driven, there is a plot, and it's a big one: what happened to my life and now what do I do? Can the 3 men possibly come up with enough money so that Willie can visit his mom, that is IF the governor allows the visit? This could have been a melodramatic mess. It is not, but at points veers in that direction. There is nothing subtle here: Himes doesn't tap us gently with a rubber hammer.
CHARACTERS - 4: Earl Thomas (nicknamed 'Signifier' as a reference to his 'scoffing and jeering' at everything) is in his late 30s, solidly built. He has served 3 of his 7-year sentence for car theft.
Merton Wayne (nicknamed "Brightlights" because of his fascination, for example, on stage spotlights.) He is in the 'cripple' company for a fractured vertebra. Merton has served 4 of his 20-year sentence for robbery. Willie Manners (nicknamed 'Kid' because he entered prison at age 17) is thin and has vivid yellow hair. "His complexion was the peculiar whiteness of swiss cheese in the harsh light of a noon-day sun, but in the sympathetic shadows of the chapel his skin was smooth a cream colored." Kid has had the worst life has to offer, and bad things keep coming and coming. I'm sure Himes is Earl and Merton and Wayne. All 3 think of methods of redemption: Himes certainly did, just look at the body of work he left us. But again, Himes is just this side of melodrama: Kid looks different from everyone and he's the one that life has given the worst treatment.
ATMOSPHERE - 3: "The priest approached the altar...The congregation became suddenly silent...One could hear the laborious breathing of a nearby neighbor suffering from asthma or a severe cold...a crucifix of beaten bronze...Flickering candles...Tussels of silk." Himes' focus is on the chapel and on the possibilities offered by a Prison Mass on Christmas Day: the author rarely takes us into a jail cell. Flashbacks offer sins of youth.
SUMMARY - 3.4. I enjoy this story. Yes, Himes delivers on several levels. But in addition to Himes atmospheric touches, one of the best elements of his novels is the humor, and perhaps only after leaving prison could Himes find his way to ensure his characters laughed at themselves and each other. This is heavy stuff, man. Heavy. Himes, though, is good enough not to take us over the edge into melodrama. But he comes awfully close. More on Himes in my countdown.
August 9, 2008
excellent writer--vivid slice of life
December 28, 2014
Some great stories, but the interest in completism makes this book a real grab bag.
Read
July 17, 20256.5 out of 10 overall.
Most of the stories in this collection were written in the ‘30s and ‘40s, with a handful from succeeding decades, the latest from 1978 (Himes died in 1984 from Parkingson’s).
They range from the grimly humorous to brutally honest portrayals of how Blacks coped in the United States’ racist society. Most of the stories are fine, a few read more like notes for a story than a polished piece, and some stood out for me:
“Heaven Has Changed”
“The Meanest Cop in the World”
“Friends”
“The Ghost of Rufus Jones”
“The Snake”
Himes is at his best in longer fiction (IMO), so I wouldn’t start here if you’re unfamiliar with his work. I’d begin with his Grave Digger Jones / Coffin Ed novels or Pinktoes or If He Hollers Let Him Go, etc. In any case, I highly recommend getting to know him.
Most of the stories in this collection were written in the ‘30s and ‘40s, with a handful from succeeding decades, the latest from 1978 (Himes died in 1984 from Parkingson’s).
They range from the grimly humorous to brutally honest portrayals of how Blacks coped in the United States’ racist society. Most of the stories are fine, a few read more like notes for a story than a polished piece, and some stood out for me:
“Heaven Has Changed”
“The Meanest Cop in the World”
“Friends”
“The Ghost of Rufus Jones”
“The Snake”
Himes is at his best in longer fiction (IMO), so I wouldn’t start here if you’re unfamiliar with his work. I’d begin with his Grave Digger Jones / Coffin Ed novels or Pinktoes or If He Hollers Let Him Go, etc. In any case, I highly recommend getting to know him.
November 4, 2014
In one sense, I could not stop reading any one of the stories because of the clear, terse writing and the masterful build up of suspense and occasional wry humor. In another sense, I could not take too many stories in one sitting because almost every tale was steeped in tragic mistakes and bitter longings with an occasional splash of rage. It's like playing the blues all day long without let up, except for an occasional brief jazz riff that sneaks in...I have more eclectic tastes myself. Then again nothing quite captures a certain mood than the blues.
February 12, 2018
My problem was not the writing but the length and format. I made the mistake of reading straight through, so it became a bit tedious, particularly given recurrent themes of prison, race, and violence. Still, some of the stories were absolute gems, especially "Life Everlasting," and most were quite good. A great deal of anger with refreshing spritzes of humor.
August 2, 2017
Himes is wonderfully observant. His writing goes far beyond the mysteries that became his stock and trade. These short stories are incredible.
August 31, 2024
Calvin Hernton
Oberlin, Ohio
1991
“Throughout the pages of this collection of stories, Himes is again and again at his peak – entertaining, spellbinding, and awesomely honest. For both the reader and the writer, as well as the critic, these stories are living testimonies to Himes’s indomitable sense of morality, of truth and fairness, revealing the integrity and frailty of us all. Nikolai Gogel, Guy De Maupassant, Victor Hugo, Richard Wright, Mark Twain, Ann Petry, Edgar Allan Poe, George Eliot, Toni Cade Bambara, Frank O’Connor, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Maya Angelou, and the rest, living and dead – Chester Himes sits among these great writers as surely as they sit among themselves. These stories, collected and published now after his death, are not tombstones of his demise. They are documentations of all that human life is worth living for.”
Oberlin, Ohio
1991
“Throughout the pages of this collection of stories, Himes is again and again at his peak – entertaining, spellbinding, and awesomely honest. For both the reader and the writer, as well as the critic, these stories are living testimonies to Himes’s indomitable sense of morality, of truth and fairness, revealing the integrity and frailty of us all. Nikolai Gogel, Guy De Maupassant, Victor Hugo, Richard Wright, Mark Twain, Ann Petry, Edgar Allan Poe, George Eliot, Toni Cade Bambara, Frank O’Connor, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Maya Angelou, and the rest, living and dead – Chester Himes sits among these great writers as surely as they sit among themselves. These stories, collected and published now after his death, are not tombstones of his demise. They are documentations of all that human life is worth living for.”
December 18, 2020
This collection was a real mixed bag. Some of the stories deserve 5 stars (Lunching at the Ritzmore, All God’s Chillun Got Pride, The Snake), some deserve 4 (Headwaiter, His Last Day), but many were just average. I’d certainly recommend checking out the collection, Mr. Himes is a talented writer, but maybe skip over some of the prison stories; they get a bit tedious.
March 26, 2019
Some very affecting and effective stories, but many that don't seem to have stood the test of time.
July 22, 2021
Chester Himes is a master storyteller. I can never stop reading him. I want to keep turning the pages, eager to know how the story progresses. He is one of my favorite fiction writers.
Want to read
July 28, 2021As seen in the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
April 29, 2022
on p. 105
March 25, 2025
For me, this is essential reading for all Americans. The most beautiful writing imaginable. And somehow, it's as close to objective as possible. It's hard, but it's good to read hard things.
Want to read
June 14, 2025Look at Mama's Missionary Money
Himes, Chester B.
Himes, Chester B.
May 19, 2013
Most of us know Chester Himes for his detective fiction (who doesn't love Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones), but his short stories also deserve attention and appreciation. There's nothing like reading Himes's short stories to see his magic in action. From his earlier prison years to the stories written after emigrating to France and Spain, Himes continually developed his distinctive voice and writing style. Some stories read like soap operas, others read like horror stories, but they all speak to the truth of the human experience, particularly that of Black people in America during the Depression Era all the way until the Civil Rights Movement. A wonderful read for all lovers of literature.
April 16, 2012
The father of hard-boiled crime struck again. This one was full of some tales that I had never read by Himes. I loved it. Truly, Himes gave it his all by shedding light on the gritty reality that grips one's very soul.
May 26, 2011
Some great stories, some not so great, Himes is a fantastic writer no matter what but I like his novels better.
Read
July 26, 2012Loved the short stories, especially the ones relating to Cleveland. They were so descriptive that you could actually visualize clearly places that were referenced.
July 28, 2012
Awesome writer. His stories pull you in and are very captivating.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews