Monday, February 2, 2009

Share the World of E. Lynn Harris

E. Lynn Harris' newest book is titled Basketball Jones, and is the story of Aldrige James "AJ" Richardson, a sophisticated African American man living in Atlanta. AJ is the longtime boyfriend of Drayton Jones, an NBA star, who keeps him well-fed, well-dressed and in a nice house. AJ follows Dray all around the country, moving to a new town when Dray is traded to another team and flying to his away games. Although AJ is an interior decorator and has his MBA, his only job is taking care of Dray's needs. AJ and Dray's relationship is a tightly-kept secret, due to Dray's fears that having a boyfriend will affect his success in the NBA. When Dray's teammates start questioning Dray's lack of female companionship, Dray decides to put the wagging tounges to rest by marrying Judi, an ambitious woman very interested in having a professional basketball player as her husband. For AJ and Dray, living a secret life is like living in a house of cards because one false move could cause their entire life to shatter! As stated on the book jacket, this book "explores the consequences of loving someone who is forced to conform to the rules society demands of its public heroes." This book is a typical E. Lynn Harris story, filled with drama, backbiting, secrets, betrayal, and an intense examination of AJ and Drayton's relationship. I also enjoyed that part of the story's action occurred in post-Katrina New Orleans and with Brad Ptt's Housing Foundation in the city.

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