What Becomes of the Brokenhearted: A Memoir

I must admit, I was not a fan of E. Lynn Harris. I have heard of him, but I never read any of his books. I just wasn't interested. I ended up reading two of his books, and became an instant fan. When he came out with this book "What becomes... ", I really didn't want to read it. I wanted to borrow it from someone and read it, which is rare, cause I love collecting novels. But, the bookclub that I joined (Blackexpressions.com) sent me this book (I didn't order it at all). I was about to send it back to them, when something told me to just go ahead and read it. I couldn't put the book down, there were things about E. Lynn Harris, that touched me. Because in many ways we have lots in common. I'm not gay or anything, but what he's gone through when it came to looking for love and self esteem and everything else in between, I saw myself. I ended up emailing E. Lynn Harris about this book, and hopefully he'll read my email and email me back. But please, please, please go out and get this book. It is so inspirational, whether you are gay or straight. Make sure you have a box of tissues with you.

I READ THIS BOOK IN 1 1/2 DAYS AND IT WAS WONDERFUL.. IT MADE ME SMILE AND CRY AT THE SAME TIME. I LOVE E. LYNN TRULY TO MY HEART, THIS BOOK WILL BE REFERRED OVER AND OVER BY ME. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT A PERSON HAS BEEN THROUGH. THIS BOOK MADE ME WANT TO SHOUT AND HOLLER WITH THE HOLY GHOST. I FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN REBORN AGAIN.. I WANT TO THANK E. LYNN FOR WRITING THIS BOOK, AND IT MAKES ME HAVE COURAGE TO GO AND GET MY WANTS AND DREAMS.. ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HOMOPHOBIC AND I TELL THEM, T0 LOOSEN UP AND LIVE A LITTLE... E. LYNN I THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO WRITE THIS BOOK AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...I LOVE YOU SINCERLY.... THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE HOPE, STRENGTH AND WISDOM AND THE AMBITION TO DREAM.SINCERLY LOVING FANT. LITTLE

E. Lynn Harris's novels about black middle class homosexual and heterosexual life have captured the fancy of thousands of readers. His success is remarkable because his honesty about gay, bisexual and "confused" African American men hasn't turned off women readers and has sparked discussion about male secrecy, sex and lies.Many of his readers, myself among them, have wondered about the relationship between Harris and Raymond Tyler, the protagonist of his first novel and some of his subsequent work. Because the novels are written in such a straightforward, conversational tone, it's easy to imagine that the author is telling his own thinly-veiled story.With his new memoir, WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED, Harris both dispels and confirms the questions about whether or not Raymond is really his doppelganger. As Harris tells it, Raymond's perfect middle class upbringing with loving parents is a far cry from his humbler and, often, more cruel beginnings. But the character's life experiences closely mirror those of the author's adult life, including their search for love, sex, and a path out of depression.Like his popular novels, Harris's memoir is a page-turner that feels more like a long, confessional letter or an all-night conversation. Its principle merits are as a record of the modern gay black man's experience and an insider text for his legions of fans.Having read all of Harris's novels, I was very curious about the who's who aspect of his memoir and pleased to meet some of the real-life people who inspired his fictional characters. However, his conversational style was sometimes disappointing because the memoir occasionally fails to fully explore various experiences. And while it seems he wrote some of the last pages earlier this year, Harris chooses to keep some secrets to himself. Unfortunately for the reader, he only hints at the happiness he has found in the last decade and keeps those tales undercover.His honesty about battling depression and "lying Lynn" are also important aspects of his story. As his novels forced women to face facts about male sexuality and gave gay black men their own serial, his memoir will help raise the veil from the issue of depression.Harris's first nonfiction work will likely be another book club and talkabout hit. Hopefully, it will also open hearts and minds as his novels have for the last decade. --- Reviewed by Bernadette Adams Davis

Harris' memoirs "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" covers E Lynn Harris' journey of finally meeting, understanding, and loving the real E Lynn Harris. This required journey begins at age eight through today. You won't find any elaborate details about his intimate life, only how he felt about his partner. This was done in very good taste. The emotional details show the similarities between a man-man relationship and a man-woman relationship. We go through the same joys, games, heartbreaks and deal with them in the same way. Personally, I found "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" to be so much deeper than a gay black man talking about his life."What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is proof that one can overcome the pains from the past and be triumphant. Harris' memoirs is not a story about a gay black man, but the story about a person - regardless of gender, socioeconomic level, race, sexuality, and background. His major struggle throughout life was his need to be accepted by others and own lack of self-esteem - him being black and gay were secondary struggles.Through his memoirs, he demonstrates the power and freedom that truth brings to an individual, the importance of having supportive family and friends, and the strength of religion when you feel alone. All of those combined served as his determination and motivation to write his first book, and seem to heighten his passion to continue writing.To see Harris today (I saw him at a reading/book signing event), his memoirs help to negate the stigma in the black community that seeking professional psychological help is unacceptable or a dark secret that must be kept. His time in therapy was necessary! The world may not know E Lynn Harris if he had not sought professional help. Being a fan of Harris, reading his memoirs made me feel closer to him. To finally meet and speak to Harris was truly an opportunity. The man in the book is the same in person. He's very personable and seems to care that each fan gets his or her book(s) sign, can talk to him on a 1-on-1 basis, and have their picture taken with him. (He made it clear that he didn't want pictures taken OF HIM but WITH HIM.)

I was a little scared to read this book, not because of the content but because I was going to cry.The book made me think I was at the movies, it was well written and well directed.I hope this inspires other that are unsure about there sexuality to not blame themselves and know that they are loved no matter who you are.