| Author | Message | ||
     Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1869 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
I'm sad to report. E. Lynn Harris http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2009/07/e_lynn_harris_report.aspx E. Lynn Harris, the best-selling Arkansas author known for contemporary stories about African-Americans, has suffered a serious health setback. His personal assistant confirmed an unspecified health event, but said she was awaiting word from a hotel where Harris was staying on a book tour before providing further information. UPDATE: Arkansas Sports 360 reports that Harris has died at age 54 during a West Coast book tour. The item does not cite a source, but Harris was close to the UA Athletic Department and had worked as coach and sponsor of the cheerleaders. Word of the health event began making the rounds on Twitter earlier in the morning. Born in Michigan, Harris grew up in Little Rock. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was the school's first black cheerleader. He continued to be a diehard Razorback fan. He has taught adjunct courses in the English department, most recently last fall. His latest book, "Basketball Jones," is about the gay lover of an NBA star. Says the publicity blurb: "In Basketball Jones, E. Lynn Harris explores the consequences of loving someone who is forced to conform to the rules society demands its public heroes follow. Filled with nonstop twists and turns, it will keep readers riveted from the first page to the last." According to his website biography, Harris, 54, divides his time between Fayetteville and Atlanta. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13941 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
How shocking! Yet, another black trail blazer in the world of pop culture has left us. R.I.P., E Lynn. | ||
| Cagedbird Veteran Poster Username: Cagedbird Post Number: 151 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
WOW!  | ||
| Libralind2 AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Libralind2 Post Number: 1232 Registered: 09-2004 Rating: N/A |
I thought there would be way more posts than 3 over here..geesh. This is just AWFUL... LiLi | ||
| Anita Regular Poster Username: Anita Post Number: 44 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
I am so shocked. E. Lynn was always warm, friendly, and personable whenever I saw him. He will be missed by writers and readers alike. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3597 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Very sad. Rest in peace. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1870 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
E. Lynn was truly a trailblazing author, a leader in his field and a humanitarian. While this news is shocking and sad. Keep in mind E. Lynn lived his life with a freedom few of enjoy. His was a sucessful life, one worth celebrating in joy not with sadness or regret. One thing E's passing reminds me of is we should remember to celebrate and express out love for those that are important in our lives while they are with us. RIP E. Lynn Harris | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 237 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
RIP E. Lynn. You will be missed. | ||
| Emanuel Veteran Poster Username: Emanuel Post Number: 705 Registered: 03-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey All, I've been meaning to comment but my computer has been on the fritz. I was sorry to hear of E. Lynn's death. I never met him personally but members of a local book club have told me some interesting stories about meeting him face to face. I'll never forget the time I was reading one of E. Lynn Harris's books while riding the bus. Two thugs approached me as if they wanted to beat my ass for reading this book with gay characters. After I assured them that I am not only straight but a married Gulf War veteran who can do some ass-kicking of his own, they left me alone. Long story short, you don't have to be gay to enjoy his writing. We will miss this African-American New York Times Bestselling author. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13946 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
I was never a big fan of E. Lynn Harris because, it seemed to me, that implicit in his writing stance was the idea that no man is exempt from being gay, and that none of them are above suspicion. Also, I found Zane's aggrandization of this author a bit much, although he certainly does deserve credit for, as Terry McMillan said, carving a niche for himself in black literature -even if his writing skills were mediocre at best. I have no doubt that Harris was, as his many fans claim, a charismatic amenable, accomplished individual and, in any case, he left us much too soon. To bemoan his demise is totally appropriate. |
