I was very sad when I learned about E. Lynn Harris' death in 2009. In My Father's House is Harris' last book, and it was finished posthumously and published in June 2010. This book is full of candor and honesty and speaks for all of those readers who can't or refuse to live their lives as a lie. In My Father's House is the first book in a new series for Harris. Set in Miami's South Beach, the series features Bentley Dean, owner of the hottest modeling agency in town, who specializes in finding the perfect Aftrican-American model for exclusive jobs. Bentley was ousted from his family by his dad, when he announced that he was gay and was moving away to be in a relationship with a man. Ever since that day, Bentley has worked hard to make it on his own, steadily wishing that he could have a second chance with his dad. Five years later, the economy is taking its toll on Bentley's agency and he takes a "risky" job supplying models as "eye-candy" at an A-List party for a Hollywood movie star. When one of Bentley's close friends falls in love with a closeted actor, all bets are off as Bentley struggles to help his friend while maintaining the secrecy of his agency's clients. Bentley's life spirals further downward when his dad has a sudden heart attack and Bently must face him again. The writing in this story is beautiful and Harris' characters come alive. This book is truly a fitting epitaph for a great writer who will be missed.
Showing posts with label E. Lynn Harris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E. Lynn Harris. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
In My Father's House
I was very sad when I learned about E. Lynn Harris' death in 2009. In My Father's House is Harris' last book, and it was finished posthumously and published in June 2010. This book is full of candor and honesty and speaks for all of those readers who can't or refuse to live their lives as a lie. In My Father's House is the first book in a new series for Harris. Set in Miami's South Beach, the series features Bentley Dean, owner of the hottest modeling agency in town, who specializes in finding the perfect Aftrican-American model for exclusive jobs. Bentley was ousted from his family by his dad, when he announced that he was gay and was moving away to be in a relationship with a man. Ever since that day, Bentley has worked hard to make it on his own, steadily wishing that he could have a second chance with his dad. Five years later, the economy is taking its toll on Bentley's agency and he takes a "risky" job supplying models as "eye-candy" at an A-List party for a Hollywood movie star. When one of Bentley's close friends falls in love with a closeted actor, all bets are off as Bentley struggles to help his friend while maintaining the secrecy of his agency's clients. Bentley's life spirals further downward when his dad has a sudden heart attack and Bently must face him again. The writing in this story is beautiful and Harris' characters come alive. This book is truly a fitting epitaph for a great writer who will be missed.
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. A
J 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.
J 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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