The absurd, violent, wincingly hilarious chaos I've come to expect from Himes is wrapped within a broader thematic style this time. Liked the whole concept of 3s and trying to figure out the patterns. (Thought cameos of 3 characters from A Rage in Harlem: Lady Gypsy, Mr. Clay and Jackson, was a cute use of the concept.) Do think the violent images had a particular gruesome edge this time. On a different disturbing vein were the characters he chose to leave nameless. Enjoyed the partnership between Coffin Ed and Grave Digger on the case, and that they are not unscathed by Himes' razors. In fact, I can't believe he got that much mileage out of the one-note joke of Grave Digger lisping. Found myself laughing constantly from the simple (situational word play when Detective Tombs joins Coffin Ed and Grave Digger in the car) to the more intricate (perhaps the funniest chase scene I've read, featuring a headless bike rider). Commentary on race and the police force continue. Loved that even Coffin Ed comments on the incompetence of the police as better than vaudeville. Interesting that though this story ventures into the black gay community, Himes' comments here are subtle and actually more observation. On edition: Not happy with amount of spelling mistakes and formatting issues in EPUB.French title: Imbroglio Négro Original title: Don't Play with Death
There are some things about Himes' novels you can always count on: unusual characters; witty, snappy, very colourful dialogues; a lot of action. "All Shot Up" is no difference and this is why I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it in spite the story was in fact quite disappointing.I'm sorry to say this, because I seriously love Himes' work, but the plot was very sketchy and didn't really stay together. There are a lot of places, especially in the first part of the novel and up to its middle, where you get quite a lot of breathtaking action (like the chasing of the joker on the sidecar), but that action adds nothing to the story. Which is really a shame.Past the middle of the novel, the plot seems to straighten up. Characters took up a sense, and they became more like the characters I know Himes can create: tough, weaked, ruthless. I like how all the characters play their own game, knowing fully well what game all the other characters are playing. This was one of the things I liked the most. But then the plot resolves in something quite unlikely. Many threads seemed to end into nothing. Yes, you can reconstruct what happened, but I wasn't all that sure it made a lot of sense.Really a shame.But it was an engaging read, if not fully satisfying. I'd just say, if you've never read any of Himes' novels, maybe try another one first. "Rage in Harlem" is fantastic.
Do You like book All Shot Up (2007)?
This is one of those novels in the noir tradition that should be considered a standard: there are grifters and schemers; whores and queens; all manner of vice and debauchery; coupled with two police detectives that are themselves not above pushing the envelope. I just reread the last four chapters again tonight and I cannot believe this isn't a monster movie at the same time I know why it isn't. Featured prominently are racist white men, gay blacks and two detectives that even Wesly Snipes and Danny Glover couldn't even hope to portray. This book portrays a hard time and the hard people who lived then. At the same time it finds humanity in all the people, even the hate filled. Every stereotype is challenged and met. Chester Himes was an astounding talent.
—Jason Walker
Positives+ Adventure packed and full of hilarious chain reactions.+ The dialogue is snippy, quick and witty in some cases.+ Raw and generally realistic -- even though somewhat grotesque in some places.+ The case presented was bizarre and shows how life can intertwine in the oddest ways.NeutralsNoneNegatives- Despite the action packed nature of it, it's not really a nail biting, quick reader: reads slow in some areas.- Have to be in the mood to read it, not one of those reads to just pick up.Publisher Related- General spelling errors, missing punctuation, and some poor printing quality in some spots.+ Nearly seamless chapters -- feels like it's right off the type writer.
—Parson
Demented noir from Chester Himes about a gay bar shoot-out in Harlem circa 1960. Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones are on the case sifting through dozens of drag queens living and dead with names like Snake Hips. The centerpiece of the book is a chase scene between our heroes and a motorcycle-riding demon through the ice-slicked winter streets of Harlem that culminates in a gruesomely violent end. By the end of the book you'll wonder how many real women even played a part in the whole damn story. Fucking genius.
—Andy
