How Long to Read Chester B. Himes: A Biography

How Long Does it Take to Read Chester B. Himes: A Biography?

It takes the average reader 10 hours and 40 minutes to read Chester B. Himes: A Biography by Lawrence P. Jackson

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

Winner of the 2018 Edgar Award for Best Critical/Biographical Work A Washington Post Notable Book The definitive biography of the groundbreaking African American author who had an extraordinary legacy on black writers globally. 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.

How long is Chester B. Himes: A Biography?

Chester B. Himes: A Biography by Lawrence P. Jackson is 640 pages long, and a total of 160,000 words.

This makes it 216% the length of the average book. It also has 196% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Chester B. Himes: A Biography Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 14 hours and 34 minutes to read Chester B. Himes: A Biography aloud.

What Reading Level is Chester B. Himes: A Biography?

Chester B. Himes: A Biography is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Chester B. Himes: A Biography?

Chester B. Himes: A Biography by Lawrence P. Jackson is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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