Rating: Summary: I felt as if I was left out there. Review: E. you're still the man with me. I love your books so stay strong and keep up the good work. I felt as if this book left me hanging. There are a lot of unanswered questions in my mind. My thoughts lead me to think that this book should have been about twice as long as it was. When you're ending it----end it. You didn't close all passages that you opened in prior books. I look forward to future writings. I'm still your #1 fan. I've been with you since the beginning and I plan to stick with you till the end. Blessings up for you E.
Rating: Summary: Good but not Mr. Harris' Best Review: I read his current novel and although I finished the book, I just didn't feel the umph that I felt when I read the rest of his books. There were many questions left unanswered. I'm sure there will be a sequel and I'll buy it!!!
Rating: Summary: DISAPPOINTED WITH ABIDE WITH ME Review: Let me start by saying that I have read all of E. Lynn Harris' books starting with Invisible Life. Over the years, I have found Mr. Harris to be a delightful, honest, sensitive writer. I have also had the grand opportunity of meeting Mr. Harris on one of his book signing events in San Francisco. Again, I found him to be extremely gracious, down-to-earth and sensitive -- exactly like some of the characters he writes about. Unfortuantely, I have just finished reading Abibe With Me and to say the very least, I was very dissatisfied with his most-recent release. Abide left me with far too many unanswered questions. For instance: was Raymond and Trent able to recapture the once loving, fulfilled relationship they previously had?; why did Yancey seem to "slip by" with as little as a slap on the wrist (surely her actions deserved a more harsh outcome)?; what ever happened with Raymond Sr., and Raymond Jr.'s relationship -- (did they ever get it right?); and finally, what ever happened with Kirby and his new found love -- the Asian-Africian American woman of his dreams? Mr. Harris throws some bold, sensitive issues out there but unfortuantely, he seems to run and hid when it comes to actually tackling these issues head on -- appearing to "run out of gas". Also, the outcome of Abide appears way too watered-down and does not seem to be particularly honest or sincere. Mr. Harris' prior work seemed to have more flavor (I mean, come on, with characters like Kyle -- Queen Diva of all Divas!) how could he go wrong? I would have loved to see Mr. Harris get down with a bit more realism in Abide -- afterall this is what partially made his other books so successful. For instance, Raymond is far too nice -- unfortuantely, this utopia-type aura worked against Raymond and made him appear phony-like and unreal -- almost lackluster in character. Let's get some realism into Raymond the next time around Mr. Harris -- if there is one.Finally, I really want to address the issue of the color thing regarding Mr. Harris' descriptions of the characters in Abide. Firstly, I was appalled when all of the "honeys" were described as being "light-skinned" with hazel/blond flecked eyes, carmel colored with green-eyes, or Vanessa L. Williams look-a-likes. As bold, exotic, and vibrant as the many African American colors are ranging from very deep mocha/chocolate to anywhere in between, Mr. Harris should know better and be far more sensitive when it comes to "constantly" referring to these types as beautiful (not that they are not but all colors are!) Our great race comes in many forms and flavors, and that all colors (no matter how deep and dark in appearnce) should be acknowledged and appreciated. It is saddening to realize that as close as we are to the new Millennium, the Anglo-Saxon look is still so appealing to us that we are taught to appreciate its appearance as opposed to our own apparent beauty. Come on Mr. Harris, please pay more attention to this delicate issue next time -- I think this fact alone will make your future attempts more realistic and appealing. Thank you.
Rating: Summary: Disappointed Review: I have read all of E.Lynn Harris' books and find "Abide With Me" to be the worst. The ending was weak. It appeard to be a "set-up" for a new novel.
Rating: Summary: "ABIDE WITH ME" WAS A GREAT BOOK AS ALL OF HARRIS Review: BOOKS HAS BEEN. I ENJOYED ABIDE WITH ME,I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN ALTHOUGH I WANTED TO WHEN BASIL GOT ON MY NERVE .I HOPE THE CHARACTER OF BASIL IS 100% FICTITIOUS SURELY NO ONE IS AS RUDE AND SELF CENTERED AS HE APPEARS IN ALL OF HARRIS BOOKS. THE BOOK STILL LEFT A LOT OF LOOSE ENDS THAT I'M SURE WILL BE ANSWERED IN THE NEXT BOOK LIKE WHAT HAPPEN TO YANCEY AND BASIL? DID TRENT AND RAYMOND STAY TOGETHER ? DID PEACHES GET TO KEEP HER PLACE?THUMBS UP TO MR.E.LYNN HARRIS I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOUR NEXT ONE.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: I have read ALL of the books, and this one CAN'T be the Final one. I must find out what is going on w/ Basil & Miss Braxton! Please write another one VERY soon!
Rating: Summary: Lackluster Review: This novel lacks the excitement & freshness of Harris' previous books. I felt no passion--he was just continuing the story just because he has a contract with the publisher or something. It lacked mystery & suspense. However, I do appreciate the honest insight into gay relationships that Harris provides. I wish the female characters rang as true as the male gay characters (they seemed false, especially Yancey) --or I could be wrong about the gay characters, since I wouldn't know.
Rating: Summary: KIND OF DISAPPOINTED Review: I'm use to E. Lynn Harris serving up a full bowl of juice but I didn't find any in "Abide with Me". I have read all of Harris books and really enjoyed each one not to say I didn't enjoy this one but it left me wanting more. I'm dying to know what happen between Basil and Yancey plus if Nicole ever found out that Ava was Yancey's mother. Nicole was really naive. Mr. Harris I will continue to be a fan of yours. Through your writing I've learned alot about different issues that we face in our everyday walk in life. Be Blessed!
Rating: Summary: A synopsis of the detrimental effects of societies phobias. Review: E. Lynns trilogy is excellent. I've seen other reviews indicate that these books were shallow - I felt quite the contrary these books are excellent. The reviewers obviously weren't able to understand the true depth of the issues presented. Thess books takes the reader on a meticulously woven journey of the effects societies homophobias has on these characters. The first two pages of the second book "Just as I am" are excellent. The reader is taken into Ray's personal thoughts and as a result understands the tradegy of his daily life, which is heaped on him by "this unperfect world that he calls home". He goes on to say "his perfect world still remains a dream" - I'll say. As a reader that has seen the malicious effects homosexually has on gay black men, Ray's revelation hits home. Any reader willing to set aside his/her "phobias" and read these books from an objective view point will be exposed to one of societies common day tradegies - HOMOPHOBIA. The story is told through richly developed characters whos lives are interwoven like a beautiful tapistry; chartacters whom this reader learned alot from (especially the from character known as Kyle). This trilogy tells a tale of how society's reluctance to accept homosexually makes victims out of characters that are striving to be socially accepted, it causes: tragic denial (which even causes one character to be a gay basher even though he's gay himself),self hatred, death, deception, heart breaks, feelings of dispare and suicide, the list goes on. The heros of this trilogy are the psychiatrists, Kyle, Delaney, and Peaches because they're the only charactors who are strong enough to be themselves in the face of societies adversities (I say, "a flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest of all"). Also the hero's save the victims from certain self distruction, loneliness, and strive. The trilogy is an excellent testament to the very obvious solution - social acceptance, which society isn't ready to give. The trilogy is tragic because its characters would never had to experience these trials if it weren't for societies hate. The vilian is society, which in my opinion should be put on trial for the atrocities it has caused; I also think that this is why some people are quick to put this story down. This story is as complex as it is speechlessly entertaining to read - that to me is a receip for excellence. It was joy to my heart that the characters were able to triumpth in the end - it brought tears to my eyes. If I were to play this role on broadway I could bring a different light to the character of Ray 8 times a week, 364 times a year. I give this trilogy 5-stars plus one. SHAHID
Rating: Summary: !!AWESOME!! Review: I just finished reading Abide With Me. What a great book. I want to know though what is going to happen between Nicole and Jared, Raymond and Trent, and of course Basil and Yancy. This cannot be the final book on these characters (please!!). Big ups to Mr Harris for his outstanding writing in all of his novels.
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