Invisible Life: A Novel [Paperback]

E. Lynn Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1994

The re-issue of a remarkable first novel by a young, gay, black author who has fashioned a deeply moving and compelling coming of age story out of the highly controversial issues of bisexuality and AIDS.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

E. Lynn Harris's track record as a bestselling novelist began here, with the story of Raymond Tyler, who, after years of questioning his sexual identity, finds himself torn between a married male lover and Nicole, the talented actress with whom he imagines himself able to spend the rest of his life. With a rich cast of supporting characters and emotionally wrenching plot twists, this debut proved popular enough in a self-published edition to catch the attention of Doubleday, which bought the rights to Invisible Life and has published each of Harris's four subsequent novels, including two sequels, Just As I Am and Abide with Me. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This trilogy follows Raymond Tyler Jr. from his college days through his years as a successful young attorney. It is in college that he encounters his first homosexual experience, at a time when he has a steady girlfriend. When he takes his first job in New York City, he settles into a bisexual lifestyle but becomes engaged to Nicole, the other central figure in the series, who ambitiously pursues a show business career while searching for the perfect man. Raymond ultimately chooses a gay lifestyle but unlike some of his friends, who are comfortable with their sexual preference, he reflects on his choice. Harris (And This Too Shall Pass) has created a body of diverse characters, a group of friends and family members who admirably demonstrate a continuity of love and support. This is a work about young middle-class black people who, regardless of sexual preference, are looking for the perfect partner. For those who are gay or bisexual, there is the added pressure of disapproval from many corners. Michael Boatman's reading in all three novels is dynamic. He ably portrays the author's colorful characters, while Brenda Braxton takes the role of Nicole in Just As I Am. The story moves along and keeps the listener absorbed. The three tapes would make an interesting choice for adult fiction collections.ACatherine Swenson, Norwich Univ., Northfield, VT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (February 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385469683
• ISBN-13: 978-0385469685
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (133 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

E. Lynn Harris (1955-2009) is the author of ten previous novels and the memoir What Becomes of the Brokenhearted. His recent novels Just Too Good to be True, I Say a Little Prayer, A Love of My Own, and Any Way the Wind Blows hit the bestseller lists in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and other publications. He founded the E. Lynn Harris Better Days Foundation, a nonprofit company that provides support to aspiring writers and artists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lives and loves of a bisexual black man, September 19, 2000

By 

Nancy R. Katz "NancyK18" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invisible Life: Special edition (Hardcover)

In his first book Invisible Life, the author E. Lynn Harris introduced me to a world which before this was truly invisible and unknown to me. The chronicle of Raymond over a number of years described not only the life of a black man but one who was bisexual as well. Meeting Raymond Daly first as a young Southern college student deeply involved in a heterosexual relationship with his college sweetheart, to the days of his affair with a gay black man and then a black actress, to an acquiantance dying of AIDS, this book is especially memorable and poignant. It isn't any wonder then, that by the end of the book Ray is beset with uncertainties as to his sexuality. Pressure from his family not to even think of himself as a homosexual, hiding his bisexuality from the stodgy law firm he works for and then meeting a beautiful black actress who falls in love with him, by the books end, Ray must finally decide to consider the direction of his realtionships and his sexual life.

I found this book to be an easy read. Perhaps a bit too easy. It only took me les than a day to finish the book and at times I found the writing was like a very long coversation, instead of a novel. Despite this The characters were finely drwan and I am looking forward to reading the next two books in this series to see the final decisions Ray makes regarding his life.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real eye-opener!!, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Invisible Life (Audio Cassette)

If you have ever been curious about the life of a gay African American man, this book, and the rest of E. Lynn Harris' books, will enlighten you. Aside from the description of this book as the "Literary equivalent of cotton-candy" and the use of "homophobic" language, as one reader described, Mr. Harris' books give you a wonderful look at the lives of men who could be your brother, cousin, uncle or friend.

I grew up with a gay brother, with whom I had never discussed his sexuality (although it was never a secret). I grew up knowing his gay friends, caucasion and African American, and I have never met a more loving and caring group of people. They are just like you and me, but for their sexual orientation. I would like to thank Mr. Harris for humanizing the homosexual population, in a way that no one has before.

I discussed this book with my brother, just months before he lost his battle with AIDS. He told me how he was able to identify with some of the characters, as they resembled him and many of his friends. It was the only time that I ever discussed homosexuality with my brother.

Thank you Mr. Harris, for opening the door for that discussion. It is a discussion I will cherish for the rest of my life, as I will your books. Your books give me a chance to see what life must have been like through my brother's eyes. Please keep telling your stories!!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, July 31, 2000

By 

mechelle pierce-mathis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invisible Life: A Novel (Paperback)

I though Eric Jerome Dickey was my favorite author of all times but, I think he has met his match. I went to the store to buy some new books and picked up this new book by E. Lynn Harris "Not a day goes by". I read it and it was one of the best books I have ever read, that was until someone from my job told me that he had four other books prior to this one. So far I have read Invisible Life and my favorite of all times ever "Just As I Am." If anyone has had someone that they love died of AIDS, this book will have you crying uncontrollably when a certain person dies in the book from AIDS. I am kind of feel bad to say this but, I did not look or treat homosexuals, lesbians and bisexual people in the way that they should be treated, in other words just like straight people. I also used the words queer, fag the list goes on and on. I know now how stupid I must have appeared to some people. After reading this book, I now know that some people that I hang around everyday could be bisexual and the things that I said probably have hurt them. So to everyone that I have disrespected, I AM TRULY SORRY, and that includes my uncle who has passed away. Even though I would never said anything bad about him but, disrespecting his sexuality through other people is just as bad. I am sorry that it took such a good book for me to learn how ignorant that I have been!