Reviews

Invisible Life by E. Lynn Harris

sawya1523's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

thebookishgatsby's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 Invisible Life was first published in 1991 and is the story of Raymond Tyler who, as a college student, has an affair with another Black man. He moves to New York and begins a successful career as a lawyer. He dates women, one seriously, but also has clandestine relationships with men. When he is at least partially honest with a girlfriend and his parents about his bisexuality, their disapproval is clear. This book does feel rather dated in terms of its terminology and attitudes, but was a useful read as a sort of historic time capsule. The AIDS epidemic casts a shadow and takes an unexpected toll prompting Ray to make some difficult decisions. Overall I found this to be a sad read about a man who struggled to fully accept himself and be accepted by those closest to him. While much has changed I suspect in some communities Ray’s experiences will feel current rather than historic. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, and Homophobia

wren_rainbow's review against another edition

4.25

This book was real and honest for its time. It gave me a better understanding on down low culture, why some men engaged in this behavior and their thoughts throughout. One on side cultural societal pressures leads some to marrying women and having children while secretly engaging in sex and entire relationships with men. If only heterosexual relationships weren’t pushed so heavily as if that’s the default. 

I did feel it romanticized down low culture and that’s not okay. In this story the women were one dimensional and viewed as an object to portray heteronormativity.  However, I do appreciate the raw honesty of Raymond’s story and life. The internalized misogyny, homophobia, bio phobia. So many emotions in less than 300 pages. I will definitely be thinking about this book for some time 

jleedsrichman's review against another edition

4.0

Read this for a class on Black LGBTQ+ history and I really enjoyed it. This novel was groundbreaking and I was so eager to find out what happened next. The characters were well developed and provoked excellent discussion in my class. I would definitely recommend and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

milanstarr's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was okay - the author’s writing wasn’t anything to scream about. HOWEVER, the drama was spot on and layed on thick, which is what I was there for. 9/10 for the drama, a solid 4/10 overall. 

margaretann84's review against another edition

4.0

An important book for its message, time, and themes, but I don't think it's the best-written book I've ever come across. However, I think its external merit more than makes up for its lack of literary merit. A very good book, especially concerning the problems faced not only by GBLTQ people of color, but by bisexuals in general (a group often ignored in fiction).

4/5 on here, 8/10 for myself

lazarusreads's review against another edition

4.0

I was recommended this book and glad I picked it up. This book is all about struggling with ones sexuality and who we are compared to who we are expected to be. Really good read.

onstandb1's review against another edition

4.0

As a bisexual person who has had similar reckonings with his sexuality, I think this is solid representation for the struggles that bi people go through to this day. Of course some of the language and mindsets are very outdated, including that of Ray himself, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

mrkat's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25