Invisible Life: A Novel

The first time I read this book, I was completely blown away. Never before had I read a book which was so true it was scary. "Invisible Life" managed to do what most books hadn't done before, tell what it feels like to come to terms with your sexuality realistically. By this, I mean that most of the times I read books in which the character was gay, the author would sugar coat the issue or worse, spend most of the book debating about the pros and cons of "coming out".However what E. Lynn Harris has managed to do it create a character who realizes that he is gay and from that point on learns to accept this. Harris doesn't try to take the easy way out in this story by having him tell everyone and they just accept it and move on. Instead, show more Harris places his character in a situation in which he could either deny who he is or accept himself.From reading this book, I learned a lot of things. Mainly, I realized that life is hard for everyone, no matter if you're straight or gay. Also, I learned that before you make peace with yourself, you have to learn to accept yourself for who you are.So, for anyone who liked this book as much as I did, I recommend that you read all of E. Lynn Harris' books: Just As I Am, Abide With Me, If This World Was Mine, and This Too Shall Pass. show less

The first time I read this book, I was completely blown away. Never before had I read a book which was so true it was scary. "Invisible Life" managed to do what most books hadn't done before, tell what it feels like to come to terms with your sexuality realistically. By this, I mean that most of the times I read books in which the character was gay, the author would sugar coat the issue or worse, spend most of the book debating about the pros and cons of "coming out".However what E. Lynn Harris has managed to do it create a character who realizes that he is gay and from that point on learns to accept this. Harris doesn't try to take the easy way out in this story by having him tell everyone and they just accept it and move on. Instead, show more Harris places his character in a situation in which he could either deny who he is or accept himself.From reading this book, I learned a lot of things. Mainly, I realized that life is hard for everyone, no matter if you're straight or gay. Also, I learned that before you make peace with yourself, you have to learn to accept yourself for who you are.So, for anyone who liked this book as much as I did, I recommend that you read all of E. Lynn Harris' books: Just As I Am, Abide With Me, If This World Was Mine, and This Too Shall Pass. show less

I'm pretty conflicted about this book. I read it in about 1997? And really felt like I was being exposed to a world I'd never know about otherwise. At the time, as an already out bisexual person I think it was simply incredible to see a character toiling with my own conflicts while existing in a culture I barely understood at the time.

It doesn't hold up to a re-read, alas. The writing is painfully stilted ("I was beginning to become embarrassed.") First person is bizarre choice when much of the MC's inner turmoil and decision making is hidden. And it doesn't have much of a story, as in no real arc for the MC. He just goes on and on with things happening to him that he reacts too. Which I guess is function of this being a trilogy? Maybe show more the arc finishes in the third book, but overall made for a VERY unsatisfying ending.

Having lived through the time period it's set in I can say that the homophobia, biphobia, and racism is certainly true to the era. But this story does such a disservice to women, particularly black women, and femme gay men that it hurt to read at times. And a lot of the AAVE was written in italics, a publishing standard usually reserved for foreign language words, which seemed like a weird choice. Seeing "snow queen" and "pulling" among other things, singled out as something foreign added to my current sense of disconnection the story.

At times it is really just a political info dump on gay culture, and black men living on the down low. But at the same time, way back in 1997, I learned a lot from that info dump. I think this book still has value for all that. But maybe as a historical document and not a story for entertainment value, because it really falls short for that. show less

E. Lynn Harris was in Seattle recently promoting his latest book. I read a couple of interviews with him that peeked my interest so I got his first book - this one and read it. It's really an easy read and a really interesting view into the life of a black gay man. As a white straight woman, this is a world I honestly don't know at all and this small novel was a really interesting read.

A good book about a sensitive topic. A well written novel about a young black man who has to confront his homosexuality. He never felt "gay" and even had a long term girl friend he had real feelings for, so how did this happen? Is he still a man, and what will his family and friends say? Harris covers the entire gamut in his novel. The real benefit is that the author doesn't try to sugar coat the real emotional confusion, fear, and health concerns surrounding living as a bi-sexual black man particularly if you're in the closet (on the down-low).

Very well written fictional expose on the life of friends, family and new associates and their relations...It will keep your interest until completed....