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Just as I Am (Abridged) Audiobook
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(4.01) - 3,136 listener ratings
Publisher Description
E. Lynn Harris’s blend of rich, romantic storytelling and controversial contemporary issues like race and bisexuality have found an enthusiastic and diverse audience across America. His second novel, Just As I Am, which picks up where Invisible Life left off, introducing Harris’s appealing and authentic characters to a new set of joys, conflicts, and choices. Raymond, a young black lawyer from the South, struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and with the grim reality of AIDS. Nicole, an aspiring singer/actress, experiences frustration in both her career and in her attempts to find a genuine love relationship. Both characters share an eclectic group of friends who challenge them, and the reader, to look at themselves and the world around thern through different eyes. By portraying Nicole’s and Raymond’s joys, as well as their pain, Harris never ceases to remind us that life, like love, is about self-acceptance. In this vivid portrait of contemporary black life, with all its pressures and the complications of bisexuality, AIDS, and racism, Harris confirms a faith in the power of love—love of all kinds—to thrill and to heal, which will warm the hearts of readers everywhere.
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"If you need a good cry this is the one you need. The character in this book become a part of your life while you're reading it! You'll find yourself wondering what's going on with Kyle while the book isn't in your hands. E. Lynn Harris has done a great job with this one. Enjoy! "
— Richelle (5 out of 5 stars)
Just as I Am Listener Reviews
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" I just live Raymond and hated Basil for how he treated Raymond. When a book makes you feel you know it as a good book!! "
— Dorothy, 2/12/2014 -
" Continue the story of the main character of Invisible Life and how he comes to terms with hisown sexuality. Beautifully written, and teh story never gets old or stale! "
— Homero, 2/8/2014 -
" It's time this writer pick a team so his characters can too. "
— Vfields, 1/17/2014 -
" Just when we (gay black men) received our first literary voice, it was minimized soon after. I was excited about revisiting the characters from Invisible Life but found I had to share every other chapter with the straight female point of view. Part of me wanted to skip to the gay brother's chapters but I knew I had to read every page. Still, Harris' writing opened the door for other gay black male (and female) authors who were dedicated to tell stories of our diaspora. "
— Michael-, 1/17/2014 -
" This wasthe very first book I read from E. Lynn Harris. It was a good read. "
— Valerie, 1/7/2014 -
" The first book I read by E. Lynn. His novels aren't for everyone, but he was a very talented writer. "
— Miscoshia, 1/6/2014 -
" I could not get anything done! For I could not put it down. If you know anyone who says " I really don't care for reading give them any one of Harris books it will change there mind about reading. "
— Angeldreads, 12/31/2013 -
" A Must Read! The Best of E. Lynn Harris... "
— Rae, 12/23/2013 -
" Love all of his books. He deals with black homosexual characters is a real human way and confronts issues that they deal with. "
— Tracee, 12/17/2013 -
" I have this book, but read it some time ago, but I am a fan of all of e. lynn harris books, all of them are good. "
— Corinne, 12/16/2013 -
" Absolutely awesome!!!!!!!! Definite read again. "
— Chrissy, 12/3/2013 -
" I loved this book!! E. Lynn Harris has a WAY with words!! His writing is juicy, well written and leaves you wanting more! "
— Brittany, 12/3/2013 -
" this reads like a second edition to Invisible Life, it a real page turner. "
— Mario, 11/29/2013 -
" If you need a good cry this is the one you need. The character in this book become a part of your life while you're reading it! You'll find yourself wondering what's going on with Kyle while the book isn't in your hands. E. Lynn Harris has done a great job with this one. Enjoy! "
— Richelle, 8/4/2013 -
" I read the first one and became addicted to reading the other ones. Each book is a continuation from the other one. "
— Cathy, 6/7/2013 -
" This was the first book I read by this author. I finished the book in one night and could not wait til the next one. I laughed, I cried, I was pissed, a must read. "
— Amy, 5/10/2013 -
" This book just felt so incredibly right. Currently, re-reading again. First story to make me cry. "
— Mercedes, 4/20/2013 -
" Another great book by a great author. "
— Jessica, 4/19/2013 -
" The friendship between Raymond & Kyle made me laugh and eventually cry... E. Lynn Harris wrote the hell out of this one. It was the first book that ever made me cry. "
— Author, 2/6/2013 -
" I love this one too. "
— Lula, 8/7/2012 -
" I was entertained and enlightened... "
— KC, 6/15/2012 -
" This is was an excelelnt follow up to Invisible life. It is also possibly the last original/non-formula book that E. Lynn Harris has written. "
— R., 1/2/2012 -
" Amazing! Kept my attention the entire read! "
— Shavon, 12/4/2011 -
" This book is classic E Lynn Harris. It's about accepting others for who they are and not being afraid to be who you are. "
— Chineka, 11/22/2011 -
" Loved this book. It made me more aware of down low brothers, "
— Lynette, 11/8/2011 -
" A wonderful book to open up the series of E. Lynn Harris. I read this when I was in my teens from a recommendation from my mother. Definitely would read again!!! "
— Kerri, 8/24/2011 -
" Loved me some E. Lynn Harris "
— Vellicia, 7/6/2011 -
" This book taught me about friendship, and continued helping me discover my purpose -- it also helped me learn to embrace who I am as a man. "
— Author, 4/7/2011 -
" I still remember sitting by the pool in Vegas on spring break & thinking how content I was with this good book. Memorable read. "
— Deidre, 12/27/2010 -
" Quite frankly was moved but <br/>reinerating could hurt this cause. "
— Edward, 9/30/2010 -
" I read a long time ago "
— Andrea, 11/11/2009 -
" Continue the story of the main character of Invisible Life and how he comes to terms with hisown sexuality. Beautifully written, and teh story never gets old or stale! "
— Greschjkvo, 7/10/2009 -
" Another great book by a great author. "
— Jessica, 6/10/2009 -
" I have this book, but read it some time ago, but I am a fan of all of e. lynn harris books, all of them are good. "
— Corinne, 2/28/2009 -
" This book just felt so incredibly right. Currently, re-reading again. First story to make me cry. "
— Mercedes, 12/17/2008 -
" Loved this book. It made me more aware of down low brothers, "
— Lynette, 12/15/2008 -
" This wasthe very first book I read from E. Lynn Harris. It was a good read. "
— Valerie, 10/23/2008 -
" Absolutely awesome!!!!!!!! Definite read again. "
— Chrissy, 9/13/2008
About E. Lynn Harris
E. Lynn Harris (1955–2009) was the author of many novels and the memoir What Becomes of the Brokenhearted. Many of his novels made the bestseller list of the New York Times and other publications. His numerous awards include the James Baldwin Award for Literary Excellence and three BlackBoard’s Novel of the Year Awards.
About Michael Boatman
Michael Boatman is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for narration. He is a versatile television, film, and stage actor whose work on the hit TV show Spin City garnered him a GLAAD Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and nominations for two NAACP Image Awards. For his work playing Stanley Babson on the long-running HBO series ARLI$$, he was nominated five times for the Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.