For almost a decade, beloved storyteller E. Lynn Harris has welcomed you into his family with his passionate, warm and trail-blazing novels. Now, he invites you into the most intimate world ever--his own. Since his first book Invisible Life was published in the early 1990s, New York Times bestselling author E. Lynn Harris has wowed, charmed and romanced millions of readers. As a master storyteller, E. Lynn Harris has created an intimate and glamorous world centered around his signature themes of love, friendship and family. People all over the world have fallen in love with his characters and laughed and cried with them. Now, in his most daring act yet, E. Lynn Harris writes the memoir of his life–from his childhood in Arkansas as a closeted gay boy through his struggling days as a self-published author to his rise as a New York Times bestselling author. In What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, E. Lynn Harris shares an extraordinary life touched by loneliness and depression, but more important, he reveals the triumphant life of a small-town dreamer who was able through writing to make his dreams–and more–come true.
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"A memoir of a depressed gay black man that grew up in Little Rock in the '60's. He lived life mostly in the closet hoping for a pill to make him happy, in love, and straight... How sad! But a great inspirational read that proves the human spirit can overcome the obstacles of life."
— Tricia (5 out of 5 stars)
“The story of how [Harris] overcame the demons of his past is inspirational.”
— Entertainment Weekly“Has all the dramatic elements of a compelling work of fiction…And Harris shares the positive experiences that have helped him become…proud, successful, happy.”
— Advocate“Emotional, heart-pulling…an in-depth look into the real world of E. Lynn Harris.”
— QBR, The Black Book Review“Widely known for his sexy, urban African American novels, Harris now reveals the inspiring story of his own life…The author’s underlying message—that you can triumph through perseverance—is universal. Harris leavens his narrative with humorous anecdotes, including a particularly funny reminiscence of his first days at IBM, where he wore shiny suits from Sears, gold chains, and sported the ‘world’s largest Afro.’”
— Publishers Weekly“His fans will embrace his fast-paced memoir eagerly, and then be caught up in this engaging writer’s engagingly told life story.”
— Booklist" This book was amazing! Harris did a wonderful job of bringing to life the troubles and trials that he went through! I only wish that we had been given more information on how he felt and what life changes he went through after he sold his first book. "
— Kelly, 12/26/2013" Loved it. This book gave insight to his life "
— Yvonne, 12/1/2013" I enjoyed the honesty and self-reflective qualities of the author, E. Lynn Harris, who describes in detail the challenging and often painful situations which gave him the opportunity to grow and change into the person he is today. "
— Nanci, 10/26/2013" As I read this book, I was able to reflect upon the lives of the previous charcters from Mr. Harris' books. It made me re-read Invisible Life. "
— Amy, 10/13/2013" This book is great for an inside look into the man behind the great stories. You can really see a part of him in all of his characters. "
— Simone, 8/27/2013" OMG!! Reading about his life brought tears to my eyes, the abuse, makes you wonder why some people have kids. How they bring people into their children lives and don't see the harm, the effects, the changes that occur in their kids. "
— Dorothy, 7/30/2013" Read this one in one sitting. IT IS A PAGE-TURNER. It wasn't always easy agreeing with his emotions and choices, but I couldn't disagree with the way he moved his story. I really loved the way E.Lynn told this one. "
— RYCJ, 6/20/2013" E. Lynn Harris writes well, and his life story is very interesting. There are not many books that tell of growing up black, male, and gay. However, the book also talked about Harris' faith a lot, which I did not like so much. "
— Jessica, 3/6/2013" This one touched me in a way i can't describe. "
— Ashley, 2/27/2013" i absolutely loved this book..read it twice(years between)..one of the best memoirs one can read "
— Velma, 9/24/2012" 2.5, if I want to be generous. I was so disappointeed in this book. I'd read such glowing things about him in his (recent) obituary, but this memoir is gushy and soggy with sentiment. It's hard to imagine a greater contrast with "The Liar's Club" also read this week. "
— Lynn, 1/29/2012" It was sad and good and insightful. "
— Monica, 7/28/2011" A great book! E. Lynn is a very talented writer and can use words very well. There are parts of the book that are very difficult to read because of how difficult his life has been at times. Keep in mind I might be biased because I know him personally. "
— Dimitre, 7/10/2011" The memoir by one of my favorite modern writers. It is a sharp, heartbreaking and ultimately redeeming story of a boy who became a man who became a writer. I was shocked in some places but not in a bad way. A book I can read over and over. "
— Christie, 4/15/2011" I really liked most of the book, but the end got a little too Oprah for me. "
— Lynn, 11/6/2010" Rest in Peace, and thank you for the honest books. You educated me about men on another level. I was always attracted to gay men, for they were very respectful, and so good-looking. You are with your friends now. "
— Judith, 10/22/2010" I really liked most of the book, but the end got a little too Oprah for me. "
— Lynn, 4/19/2010" Read this one in one sitting. IT IS A PAGE-TURNER. It wasn't always easy agreeing with his emotions and choices, but I couldn't disagree with the way he moved his story. I really loved the way E.Lynn told this one. "
— RYCJ, 1/10/2010" This one touched me in a way i can't describe. "
— Ashley, 9/18/2009" 2.5, if I want to be generous. I was so disappointeed in this book. I'd read such glowing things about him in his (recent) obituary, but this memoir is gushy and soggy with sentiment. It's hard to imagine a greater contrast with "The Liar's Club" also read this week. "
— Lynn, 8/26/2009" E. Lynn Harris writes well, and his life story is very interesting. There are not many books that tell of growing up black, male, and gay. However, the book also talked about Harris' faith a lot, which I did not like so much. "
— Jessica, 4/20/2009" Loved it. This book gave insight to his life "
— Yvonne, 7/23/2008" As I read this book, I was able to reflect upon the lives of the previous charcters from Mr. Harris' books. It made me re-read Invisible Life. "
— Amy, 5/26/2008" A great book! E. Lynn is a very talented writer and can use words very well. There are parts of the book that are very difficult to read because of how difficult his life has been at times. Keep in mind I might be biased because I know him personally. "
— Dimitre, 2/10/2008E. 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.
Richard Allen is an accomplished and respected theatrical actor whose work includes Ragtime and PBS’ Great Performances: Play On! His voice can be heard on numerous television and radio productions, as well as the animated series Jumanji. Allen is also the winner of seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.