Chester Himes book, an analysis - From Naturalism to Modernism

Chester Himes (1909-1984) a talented, versatile writer in the literary modes of naturalism, determinism, existentialism, primitivism, modernism and the absurd has been marginalized in both literary and detective literature. Historically, marginalization referred to an individual or group whose work was ignored, left out of the canon or otherwise censored. Now, in African American literature at least, it seems to mean limiting study of the writing to the biographical or to a qualitative analysis of the value of the work or ability of the writer. From Naturalism to Modernism: the Social Protest of Chester Himes presents a new approach toward the analysis of African American literature by examining the works of Chester Himes from the mainstream perspective of literary modes. Instead of setting out to prove that Chester Himes is a good writer of literature, this study assumes his literary worth and considers the how and why of his use of Naturalism, Existentialism, Primitivism, Modernism and the Absurd in his short stories and novels. Chester Himes, a relatively neglected protest and detective writer, is compared favorably to Edith Wharton and Theodore Dreiser in his use of naturalism and to Ernest Hemingway in his use of modernism. In addition, this book shows how Himes proves himself unique not only in his successful use of different literary modes throughout his career, but also in his original application of those modes within a context of the absurd. From Naturalism to Modernism: The Social Protest of Chester Himes brings Chester Himes scholarship the needed step closer to mainstream analysis and should be especially beneficial to anyone interested in the use of literary modes in American literature, African American literature or specifically the works of Chester Himes.
* * *
Copies are available from the publisher through MoreBooks and from Amazon.com and Amazon United Kingdom. You can also ask to borrow a copy from your city, community college or university library. Please reference the title From Naturalism to Modernism: The Social Protest of Chester Himes and the ISBN: 978-3-659-27297-4. The publisher is LAP, Lambert Academic Publishing.