Customer Reviews

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

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3 star:		(2)
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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

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

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

I can only say this was an awesome "read".. These three authors nailed it in each of these stories!!!! These stories will have you on edge from the first words, i highly suggest this book that's in tribute to the late E Lynn Harris..

Reading this book I an reminded that E. Lynn Harris is truly gone, but Terrance Dean, James Earl Hardy, and Stanley Bennett Clay have taken up the mantle and all three of their stories left me wanting more and more!!! I truly recommend this to any fan of E. Lynn Harris!!!! This is a must not miss book!!!!!

"Visible Lives" is a tribute to E Lynn Harris and is overall well worth reading for Harris fans. I got to meet E Lynn 3 times at Giovanni's Room GLBT Bookstore in Philly and he was always kind/gentle to the audience and it was a very positive experience. For those who want the closest experience to reading a Harris novel, I'd recommend "The Intern". Like many of Harris's own novels, it takes place in a very rarified situation of high-paying jobs, plenty of bling and perfect physical specimens. The sex scenes are hot/steamy and there is much graphic detail to keep fans happy. I did have three concerns to share: 1) Like Harris, Terrance Dean tends to get quite racist - to the point of having his lead character Chase say that he would NEVER hire anyone who wasn't black (p. 30). I felt that was a BIG turn-OFF to this story. Also - Chase eventually succumbs to the temptation of the sexy young intern - starting a private affair. I've been on church committees where we had a few cases like this. It is a HUGE risk for the employer if the relationship breaks up. Thirdly, the story abruptly ends, just after a major plot twist. We are left hanging to know just what was to happen to the couple? I think they would have survived, but that is not for sure.
The second story is 'ok'. The story line of two former lovers who each carry a torch for the other - is not hard to predict how it will come out, and then it morphs into a political diatribe in the last section - as this power couple shares their views on a radio interview.
The last story by Stanley Bennett Clay was by far the BEST story of the three. Unlike the other stories, E Lynn is barely mentioned, but the believability of the characters and their actions is very realistic. I had wondered what would become of Davide and thought he might reappear in the story, but no he doesn't. It ends very happily and I'll admit I cried at the end. This was the only one of the three stories to get outward emotion from me.
Even if you only buy this book for the last story, it's still worth it. We all miss E Lynn, but now the torch is being passed on to very capable writers who will develop new stories for the LGBT community. Thank you.

This was an outstanding tribute to E. Lynn Harris.

The authors were brilliant.

Even if I have to admit that I haven't read many books by E. Lynn Harris, it's also true that he is probably the first gay romance authors I noticed, well before I started reading this genre. I remember to have noticed the nice cover of I Say a Little Prayer and thinking, mmh, interesting. E. Lynn Harris was probably the only gay romance author at the time that was able to reach the top selling lists with the various ladies of romance. And so it was with sadness that I read of his sudden death, when still so many years where in front of him, and many books and stories and possibilities. I have never thought who E. Lynn Harris was for his colleagues, black gay men who were fighting with double/triple prejudices, being of colour, being gay and writing romance. Apparently E. Lynn Harris was a lighthouse for all of them, the man who was able to, able to write, able to come out, able to have success, always remaining one of them. In this tribute, three different black man are telling their version of the story, but it's always the same story, how you can be gay, black and in love with romance.

The Intern by Terrance Dean: this story is all about fashion and romance, glitter and love. Chase was always used to be the boy, the one other macho men pursued, the prized arm candy. But now Chase is pushing forty, and sincerely he is tired to be someone else little secret: Chase has a successful career and a beautiful house, he is still an handsome man and he is still able to pick his choice among men. His best girl friend tells him to stop to search for the macho man of his dream and to play "cougar" with his pretty, and very young intern, Quincy. Indeed Chase surrenders to temptation, but sincerely there is not much difference, since Quincy, even if young and a subaltern of Chase, is for sure very self-confident and able to well balance the difference in age with his positive attitude.

The feeling of this story is young and fresh, like a glossy magazine, well highlight but the almost obsessive pointing up to all the fashion brands.

Is It Still Jood To Ya? By James Earl Hardy: Raheim and Mitchell have a past together, a past made of good and bad days, of bringing up together two sons, of family parties and knowing everything of each other; when the story starts Raheim and Mitchell are not together, but sincerely the reader doesn't understand why and so do Raheim, that is indeed trying to woo Mitchell back in his bed and life. Above all, Raheim is worried since Mitchell is leaving for a business trip that will give him the chance to meet someone else, and Raheim doesn't like the competition. A blackout will allow Raheim to block Mitchell in his apartment for a few days, and the forced cohabitation will also prove that they are still good together, as and better than before.

The strength of this story is the time construction and the double writing style: in the first part the reader is plunged in the middle of Raheim and Mitchell's story without much notice, and I tried to collect little pieces of info here and there to build the structure; in the second part Rahein and Mitchell are interviewed together, and basically they give you all those info all together, in a constructed way.

House of John by Stanley Bennett Clay: Jesse has an enviable life and a job he likes, but he is not lucky in love. At 38 years old, he is so desperate for love that he easily mistakes sex for the real thing, only to be bitterly awakened soon after. Since he is slow to learn the lesson, he decides to join a group of friends at Santo Domingo, with the only purpose of finding cheap sex without string attached. On the island, he meets Etienne, but the young man is not what Jesse was expecting: romantic, with strict and old fashioned principle, Etienne doesn't believe in the easy sex, and Jesse has to woo him, at the same time being the joke of his friends who are enjoying as much as possible the natural "beauties" of the place.

This is probably the most romantic of all the three stories, the romance is all around in the air, and basically when there is love, everything seems easier.

E. Lynn Harris plays the role of the fairy godmother in all above stories, the one who is able to give the right advice to set the men on their right path towards love, being always truthful to themselves and the men they love.

I simply love this book. I think the great E Lynn Harris would be in tears from such a beautiful tribute to him. Who said gay folk don't know nothing about LOVE, think again. Now there's a bit of DRAMA too!!
Terrance Dean,James Earl Hardy and Stanley Bennett Clay are excellent writers and I look forward to reading more from them in the near future.

VISIBLE LIVES: THREE STORIES IN TRIBUTE TO E. LYNN HARRIS is a treasure. Even if the initial concept for the production of this book weren't so worthy (and WORTHY it is!) this little triptych of novellas is by three superb writers whose works stand well on their own past glories, but whose spirits are elevated by this homage to the man who in many ways introduced the quality of literature about African American sexuality to a new and higher level. Before E. Lynn Harris there were authors who embraced stories about both bisexual and gay black men (James Baldwin is probably the progenitor), but none so honestly and so free of sterotypes as E. Lynn Harris. Harris' first daring step into the open light was his novel 'INVISIBLE LIVES', a book he self-published and sold from his trunk, a well written novel that opened the public's eyes to the trait of living on the down low (DL) - and this was only as recently as 1991 (the book was later published by a firm in 1994).

The three stories here are excellent and reflect the maturity of voice that Harris introduced. Each story is introduced by a moving tribute from each author. The stories that follow are frank love stories, stories that just happen to have as their protagonists gay black men. The content is different (all good) and the technique of story telling varies as well it should. Terrance Dean, James Earl Hardy and Stanley Bennett Clay are polished veterans of writing. For this reader the story 'House of John' is the most complex and involving, but then this may be because of prior commitment to the extraordinary skill of author Stanley Bennett Clay. Writing of this quality on the part of all three authors is rare to find in a collection of stories written as a tribute. But that again shows the power in the literary world that was, and will continue to be, E. Lynn Harris. Grady Harp, June 10