Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris died today at age 54. According to Essence, the writer's personal assistant declined to give details, but did confirm that Harris' health had declined. He was in the middle of a West Coast tour to promote his 11th novel, Basketball Jones, when he passed away.
Harris was best known for such successful novels as Invisible Life, Just As I Am, Too Good To Be True, Abide With Me, as well as his 2004 memoir What Becomes of The Brokenhearted. He specialized in writing about African-American gay culture, including the "down-low" phenomenon in the world of professional sports. (Basketball Jones is the story of an NBA star and his gay lover.) Born in Michigan and raised in Arkansas, Harris recently taught English at the University of Arkansas as a visiting professor.
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This is truly a shock! He overcame so much to die at such a young age! His family is truly in my thoughts and prayers.
My heart ache’s for this lost. The family is truly in my prayers. Please stay strong and remeber that God is everything! There is a reason for everything!
My prayers to his family and friends.
Jacquelyn Rochell
http://www.jacquelynrochell.com
Such sad news. Two good authors (Frank McCourt the other) gone in one week.
my prayers are with his family during this time of sadness. May the Lord continute to watch over E. Lynn Harris.
Meet him once. Really nice person. My
thoughts and prayers with his family.
My prayers goes out to the Harris family. May God rest his soul. I was inspired by E. Lynn Haris novels. His books has taught me alot about the African American male and their struggles with living a double life. It has made me a stronger woman to ask important questions while in a relationship with men. Thank you for the insight and opening my eyse to what this world has become. ONE LOVE!!!!!HOLLA!!!!!
my heart goes out to his family and the community should stand by the family in their time
My praise extend out to his family. The world not only the gay community will forever miss him.
I am truly stunned to hear the news. My thoughts go out to the family at this time. I have thoroughy enjoyed every single book that he has published.
My prayers are with his family. I loved his sense of humor in his writing. Lynn was blessed with a special talent and he shared it well.
He was a wonderful writer and very nice when I met him at book signing. The news of his passing makes me very sad. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I am really sad and shocked to hear the news of E. Lynn Harris passing. He became a friend in the late 90’s (1996) as I started grad school. He and his partner at the time kept in touch and encouraged me to do well while pursuing my degrees, but we lost out of touch with one another over the years. Sadly, I learned a lesson here that is not to be taken lightly. This goes to say to anyone that reads this…that if you meet someone in your lifetime with a genuine heart and that you can build a friendship with, please share, grow, and mature it. Don’t just let time fly-by because it is in time it could be to late before you see that person again. Case and point. Also, keep in touch and enjoy each other’s friendship because everyday is not promised. This goes to say with family members too!
I can attest and agree with you all that he will be missed. He was a caring, giving, supportive, talented human being to all who got to meet/know him. May he RIP.
God bless the familyn of E Lynn Harris. Thanks to a close friend of mine who turned me on to E Lynn Harris in I think 1994. I will miss his writings.
God bless E Lynn Harris’s family. Thanks to a very special friend PB who turned me on to E Lynn Harris I thik in 1994. I will miss his writings.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an extraordinary writer. He will surely be missed.
You can download his books here: http://celebbnews.blogspot.com
You have to fill out a little survey but then you can get all of them… RIP E. Lynn!
I am so sorry to hear of his passing and equally sorry that I didn’t read all of his books. His book “Abide With Me” was fantastic. RIP Mr. Harris.
I met Mr. Harris at at book club meeting and he was very gracious. He answered our questions, signed our books and offered us drinks. (This event was free of charge) I thought him to be a very nice person. RIP Mr. Harris.
We have losted a true and gifted person. God bless him him and his family. He was my most favorite author of all times. Love you E. Lynn Harris
I remember reading Invisible Life when it was first published. It was so engaging. My copy of the book was passed around to at least 5 different people. I never did get it back. RIP.
Mr. E Lynn Harris will truly be missed by me.
He was one of my favorite authors. I met him
personally a few time and he corresponded with
me. Sending me personal notes. Once at the Caleb
Center in Miami he grabbed my personal copy of
one of his books and used it to read from. One
of the best parties I ever attended was thrown by him.
To his family, he was a great kind soul. May he now rest
with Jesus. I loved you e. Lynn Harris. I called you a friend
to us.
I am still in tears this morning although I heard of E. Lynn’s passing yesterday. Yes, I am referring to him by his first name, because he never gave out that star persona. I am a white man who read his autobiography before ever reading his novels….needless to say, I was captivated by his story. I was later amazed at how his novels had so much of his on life’s story in them. I met him once at a book signing, and was shocked when he actually replied to an email that I sent to him. He truly was a great author and gentleman.
It is sad that Mr. Harris has passed. It is even sadder that if passed on without Jesus being Lord of his life. He lived and wrote about a ” sinful lifestyle choice” and God hates sin but not the one who sins. God is calling everyone to turn to him and repent and he will saved you if you ask him to.
I cannot believe that a talented, gifted person such as E. Lynn Harris is gone, I guess his work here was done. he accomplished what most African Americans don’t especially in the Gay community. He came along when my mom came out of the closet. the need for me to understand was desperate he opened my eyes and cleared any misconceptions. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you for the education and influence. Words cannot express what I am thinking right now. may god be with all of his family at this time.
My condolences to his family and fans. I have never read Mr. Harris’s book but I will now. I am so amazed at the widespread bisexuality in the black community. Why are guys lusting after guys so much and them pretending to hate homosexuals. It is beyond my belief. RIP dear Mr. Harris and thank you for being honest about your sexuality. What a great man you are for not deceiving yourself or others. May God eternally bless you in His Sacred Heart
my heart felt sorrow goes out th all his family and fans. He will be missed by all that loved him
heart felt sorrow to family and friends. He will be missed by all who loved him
My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. I read his first book and because I did not support what he promoted I did not buy additional books. Several years ago I was invited to an event and he was in attendance. He was warm, kind and thankful to his fans!I became a fan of his honesty and vision from that day forward. He was a class act.
when the day of judgment comes I pray that the good lord jesus will forgive you your self-righteousness, intolerence and lack of the holiest of all virtues, love.