If This World Were Mine

by E. Lynn Harris

Book Overview

Four friends, all graduates of Hampton Institute, keep a collective journal they call "If This World Were Mine," and share their personal diaries each month at a gathering filled with humor, gossip, and affirmation. The four group members are as different as the seasons, yet they all share a love of one another. Yolanda, a media consultant, keeps it going on with a no-nonsense attitude and independence that are balanced by the theatrics of Riley,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385486561
• ISBN13: 9780385486569
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Five Stars ++++

After reading books mostly for educational purposes - to dive into a E Lynn Harris book is truly a pleasure. I read this book while on a 2 day business trip. Then made my way to the nearest bookstore to purchase his previous novel, "And This Too Shall Past" and finish that book on the flight back home. Mr. Harris has a unique style of writing that, apart from the sexual issues, whether you agree or disagree, his characters create a lasting impression upon his readers. March 16th (the release date of his next novel) can not come soon enough! Hat's Off!!

FOUR OUT OF FOUR

I READ THIS BOOK IN ABOUT ONE QUICK WEEKEND AND I FOUND IT TO BE ONE OF MR. HARRIS BEST WORK SINCE "INVISIBLE LIFE" IT'S WONDERFUL TO KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE STILL MAINTAIN COLLEGE FRIENDSHIPS INSTEAD OF GOING THEIR SEPARATE WAYS. I CHEERED FOR EACH OF THE CHARACTERS BECAUSE THEY EACH TAUGHT ME SOMETHING. RILEY IS LIVING PROOF THAT MONEY DOESN'T ALWAYS BUY YOU HAPPINESS, LELAND IS STILL A STRONG PROUD GAY MAN WHO DIDN'T GIVE UP ON LOVE, DWIGHT CAME TO TERMS WITH THE FACT THAT HIS HATRED FOR WHITES CAME FROM A PAIN FUL EXPERIENCE FROM CHILDHOOD AND YOLANDA STILL MANAGED TO HAVE FAITH IN HER FRIENDS AND STILL GO ON DESPITE THE MOST CRUEL BETRAYAL THAT ANY PERSON COULD IMAGINE. I ALSO FAMILIARIZED MYSELF WITH BASIL HENDERSON AND ALTHOUGH HE GOT HIS PAYBACK BIGTIME THE WAY HE DESERVED IT, WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT BEHIND THE FACADE OF BEING SUPERSTUD, THERE LIES A VERY LONELY AND EMBITTERED MAN WHO WILL NEVER FIND LOVE WITH ANOTHER MAN OR WOMAN BECAUSE DEEP DOWN HE DOESN'T LOVE HIMSELF AND HE STILL WRESTLES WITH THE HORROR OF HIS CHILDHOOD. IT'S ALSO REFRESHING TO KNOW THAT MR. HARRIS'S BOOKS ARE ENJOYING A CROSSOVER AUDIENCE AND THAT STRAIGHT PEOPLE NOW REALIZE THAT GAY PEOPLE ARE ALSO HUMAN AS WELL.

ANOTHER GREAT WORK OF ART

I've read the first two books, "Invisible Life" and "Just As I Am" and I must say this book is excellent just like the others. I haven't read the 3rd book, "This Too Shall Pass" but I plan to in the near future. E. Lynn Harris you definitely have a fan club in the Chicago Area as well as all over the United States. This book, like the others, was read in a matter of a few days. I JUST COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. It's like the soap operas on TV the only difference is that the characters are all black. Thank you for allowing me to have to opportunity to endulge in your fictional writing. Please keep me posted when the next book comes out!

I loved it!!!

I've read all of Mr. Harris' novels and I anxiously await his next release. I never thought that I would enjoy reading about the gay underworld and how it relates to the heterosexual community. Mr. Harris' novels have helped me to keep an open mind when dealing with and accepting differences. I also enjoy how the character Basil slowly but surely creeps into Mr. Harris' novels. With this book I was able to finally realize what issues Basil was dealing with. I hope the character, Basil and his healing is explored in furture novels. A great, great book.

Nothin but praise for E Lynn!

First and formost let me warn you that if you pick this book up, be prepared to call in late the next morning. It is that good. The book focuses on the lives of four individuals from very different backgrounds and perspectives and how their lives come together to form a bond that violance, feelings of being deceived or even bad siniging can not break. It is a book that as a man I can assure you it will make you laugh, think, cry (not that I did mind you), and simply smile. There are stong male charaters in the book as well as women who don't lose their minds while they are waiting to exhale. So buy it. . . and think of a good excuse for your boss tomorrow.