Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute To E. Lynn Harris [Paperback]

Stanley Bennett Clay (Author), Terrance Dean (Author), James Earl Hardy (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (May 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758255756
• ISBN-13: 978-0758255754
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A moving, erotic tribute to our beloved E. Lynn ..., November 14, 2010

By 

Taylor Siluwé "Literary Provocateur ..." (Jersey City, NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute To E. Lynn Harris (Paperback)

Terrance Dean's opening tale was my introduction to his work, and I was quite impressed with the poetic style and sexual intensity that was "The Intern". The 2nd, "Is It Still Jood To Ya?" by James Earl Hardy gives us the characters that made him famous with 'B-Boy Blues'. Admittedly, I wasn't as moved by this tale; possibly because there was nothing new for me having read about the ups and downs of Raheim and Mitchell before. Still, there is one scene depicting a dinner with E. Lynn which warmed my heart and was probably the best E. Lynn connection of the three tales - all of which brought the late author into the narrative at some point. That one scene by Hardy left me smiling, contemplative, and mourning the man - the late author, the mentor to all same gender loving writers coming up after him - whom none of us will have the chance to break bread with. Yes, I always felt that one day I would, but fate had other plans.

The 3rd tale, "House of John", is the best of the three. Though I almost didn't write this review because I didn't want to compare best and worst, but Stanley Bennett Clay (author of "In Search of Pretty Young Black Men" and "Looker") delivers such a powerful love story I couldn't contain myself. Set in exotic Santo Domingo at a house of, well, ill-repute, where a jaded mid-life-crisis man finds himself heartbroken and navigating the well-charted seas all gay men must travel as the clock ticks and we are no longer boy candy. It was truly a moving, erotic and fitting wrap up to this tribute to our beloved E. Lynn. ~ Taylor Siluwé, author of Dancing With The Devil

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Miss Your Smile, July 7, 2010

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute To E. Lynn Harris (Paperback)

We all know truth is stranger than fiction. In The Intern, Terrance Dean takes us on an amazing journey of life and love as a teenager comes to terms with his sexuality, handles hurt, heartache, and pain. See where he thinks he finds happiness.

A family is a unit where there is love and respect, one in which children know they are safe and protected, where parents say I love you. Parents are not perfect, but when they are willing to forgive, get counseling, and communicate, no matter the issue, life will always be, as James Earl Hardy asks in his story Is It Still Jood To Ya?

Many of our famous stars had to leave the United States to achieve fame and be accepted for their craft; it is no different for gays, bisexuals, or lesbians, because of the lack of acceptance of their life style. The House of John by Stanley Bennett Clay delves into the lives of American GBLs living in a foreign county.

All three stories are well-written and eye-opening; the authors used their own voice to tell the type of stories that make you go hmmm, as well as ask; Am I treating someone different and rude because of his or her sexual preference?

An as one who is a devoted fan of the late E. Lynn Harris, it was an honor for me to read VISIBLE LIVES. Dean, Hardy, and Clay each shared tributes which brought tears to my eyes. It was as if I was hearing about his death for the first time. Their contributions painted a picture of the esteemed friendship they shared with E. Lynn. The foreword written by Victoria Christopher Murray, was also touching. She shared he was such a great man that there were not enough words and accolades to do him justice.

Although I was not a personal friend, I count it a joy to have had the opportunity to have a conversation with E. Lynn several times. Releasing VISIBLE LIVES in the month of his birth shows the respect the publishing world had for E. Lynn Harris.

I have read the B-Boy series by Hardy and I will be looking for books by Clay and Dean to add to my TBR stack. My only drawback was the Spanish used in the last story as there were words, I was not sure of.

Reviewed by Toni Bonita
Of The RAWSISTAZ (tm) Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mm Mm Good!, July 29, 2010

By 

D. Frazier (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute To E. Lynn Harris (Paperback)

Visible Lives: Three Stories in Tribute to E. Lynn Harris by Terrance Dean, James Earl Hardy, and Stanley Bennett Clay is an exceptional read. Each story is as engaging and entertaining as the next.

The Intern by Terrance Dean is the story of Chase Kennedy's quest for what everyone wants, even if they do not admit it; real and mature love. But he seemed to keep meeting men who have too much drama for his taste. If Chase listened to his good friend, Ashley, he would be dating babies as soon as they came from the womb. Younger men did not appeal to Chase. That is, until he meets Quincy Thornberry, his new intern. From the first meeting, Quincy adds spice to Chase's life, and the story, in more ways than one. The Intern is a witty read that kept me invested in the story and had a great, jaw-dropping end.

Is It Still Jood To Ya? By James Earl Hardy highlights the relationship between Mitchell Crawford, a New York Times best-selling author and Raheim Rivers, actor and Oscar nominee. It is not what happens in the story that makes this such a great read, but what this story stands for. Is It Still Jood To Ya? examines trust, disappointment, forgiveness, and SGL (single gender-loving) issues as they relate to love and the entertainment industry. It is a good example of how no matter what gender you like to have sex with, a love thang is still a love thang; complete with all the trials and tribulations.

House of John by Stanley Bennett Clay is my absolute favorite story of the three. Here, I met freelance photographer Jesse Templeton III. Jesse, recently burned by lust, found himself on a sexcursion with a group of his male friends in the Dominican Republic. He planned to pay-for-play until he met Etienne Saldano, who changed the game plan. House of John is what all fairytales are made of.

Visible Lives, I am sure, would make E. Lynn Harris very proud. With warm tributes before each story, this book packs a mighty blow to the heart and mind. I recommend Visible Lives to E. Lynn Harris fans as well as readers who enjoy vivid, entertaining, enlightening, and well-written fiction.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub