Invisible Life

A Novel

By: E. Lynn Harris

Narrated by: Michael Boatman

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The remarkable first novel by a young, gay, black author who fashioned a deeply moving and compelling coming-of-age story out of the controversial issues of bisexuality and AIDS. Law school, girlfriends, and career choices were all part of Raymond Tyler's life, but there were other, more terrifying issues for him to confront. 

Being black was tough enough, but Raymond was becoming more and more conscious of sexual feelings that he knew weren't "right." He was completely committed to Sela, his longtime girlfriend, but his attraction to Kelvin, whom he had met during his last year in law school, had become more than just a friendship. 

Fleeing to New York to escape both Sela and Kelvin, Raymond finds himself more confused than ever before. New relationships - both male and female - give him enormous pleasure but keep him from finding the inner peace and lasting love he so desperately desires. The horrible illness and death of a friend force Raymond, at last, to face the truth.

Invisible Life has been hailed as "one of the most thought-provoking books - since James Baldwin's Another Country" (Richmond Voice), and Harris's "stories have become the toast of bookstores, reading groups, men, women, and gay and straight people" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). 

©1999 E. Lynn Harris (P)1999 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the most thought-provoking books written about male sexuality, particularly black male sexuality, since James Baldwin's Another Country." (Richmond Voice)

Excellent

captures the reader with it's twists and turns and left me wanting to read the next book. one has to really empathized with "RAY" and his discovery of "self".

Great to read this again 12 years later...

Read this book 12 years ago. Such a pleasure to read it again. I'm glad I found it on Audible

Curiosity

I heard of this author and this book when news of black men on the down low became a hot topic of discussion. I did not read it then I was not interested in the topic at that time. I saw it here and thought what the heck. It was an enlightening listen. I don't have an opinion about gay people in general. To each it's own. I guess the book served it's purpose for me. I don't think I will listen to the rest of the books by this author if the storyline continues like this. This not the image I want to have of professional African American men. For those who want an eye opening experience as to how this could happen take a listen you probably won't be disappointed in the content.

love him

I have always loved to hear his stories. He always captivates me in all of his books and all of the drama that follows in them. I started reading his books when I was it was about 15 years old.. I could relate to a lot of the things that was going on in his life and it made it more tolerable to be alive. With that I will end it is wonderful to hear the books again. I would recommend everyone to listen and read his books they are very enlightening and wonderful

Growing up is confusing

This book was good but sad, when we are growing up as adolescence we have a hard time dealing with the changes that our bodies go through and starting to having feelings and attractions to the opposite sex, but what about when you have those feelings and attractions to individuals of the same sex. Well that is what this book is about, one man's invisible life of his attraction for people of the same sex, and if his invisible life gets out how will it affect his career, his family, his friends, and his current relationship with a person of the opposite sex. Being sexually active with anyone puts you at risk for diseases but what if you are in a relationship with an individual who is not only having sex with you but is also having sex with someone of the same sex as them, what if you know a person who is in that situation and they get sick and that is when they find out that the person they love is bi-sexual. This book is very deep and it is a good listen, the outcomes of various situations will make you smile and cry.

great book

I love this book got me through some tough times. read it !!!! thank me later...

Pretty good listening

I have only read one of E. Lynn Harris' s books. This was very interesting. not overbearing to listen to. definitely am eye opener.

FIRST TIME LISTENER

The book was good. Different from anything I have ever read. I can say I will listen or read something else by this author. I had been meaning to read this book for quite sometime and I am glad iI didn't continue to delay .

Apparently VERY abridged

I missed that this was an abridged version. And it is only about 30% of the full version. No wonder it seemed like things moved very fast. Nonetheless it was a pleasant listen for 3 hours. Much of it seems dated in this era of more openness for gay people.

DIDNT LIKE

I DIDNT LIKE THIS BOOK, TOO SHORT AND REALLY NO MORAL