Product Description
Freedom in this Village is the first book to chart the course of black gay male literature over the past thirty-five years. Beginning at the birth of Gay Liberation with the Stonewall Rebellion of 1969, editor and New York Times best-selling author E. Lynn Harris collects sixty entries, many never previously published. Fiction and poetry is matched in eloquence by nonfiction pieces, including essays and excerpts from memoirs, novels, biography, and autobiography. A new short story by E. Lynn Harris is featured, along with original work by twenty-five other authors. Among the roster of established writers are James Baldwin, Samuel R. Delany, Melvin Dixon, Peter J. Gomes, George C. Wolfe, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Hilton Als, Keith Boykin, Randall Kenan, Thomas Glave, James Earl Hardy, Brian Keith Jackson, Essex Hemphill (from whose poetry the title Freedom in this Village was borrowed), and the latest generation of writers who contribute fresh perspectives that choose to affirm rather than negate the interconnections between sex, race, and masculinity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Poetic and Emotive pieces on black gay life/vision/passions/joys
Its not a book to read from cover to cover, but beautifully written short pieces that you can skip to and delve into unexplored black gay world of love, passions, sufferings, perspectives. This is NOT for the beginner or the one discovering their sexuality. It is NOT for the gay friendly NOR for the one looking for erotic turn-ons. This is a very mature compilation of different authors writings that will only be appreciated by the one who has already experienced gay black sexuality. Then you will discover, like I did, that there is this wonderful abstract underworld of meaningfulness in being black and gay at the same time not shoving it down your throat, but merely inviting the reader to experience the other end of the burning cigarette. OK this makes no sense to me either... But dont listen to this mediocre review and get the book if you are a mature reader. If you just green at the gay black thang, dont choose this. Look at my other reviews and select the books you think fit you best. I LOVE THIS BOOK! BUT ITS NOT FOR EVERYONE...

My Brother Likes This Book
Syracuse New York

My brother happens to be gay and I got him this book for christmas.He LOOOOOOOVES it.He says it's one of the best books he's read in years.

Just my two cents.

Our Time Has Come
I just started reading it (smile) but am compelled to write the following...If you are a lover of Black Gay Male Literature then this is the book to purchase.

Freedom In This Village:Twenty-Five Years of Black Gay Men's Writing edited and and with an introudction by E. Lynn Harris.

I happened (smile) to be coming from The Abbey during my time home in Los Angeles last week when I passed A Different Light Bookstore.I went in and displayed prominently was this book and of course, I had to have it, and so I bought it, and anticipated reading it once I completed "The Last Dream Before Dawn."

I started reading this book last night on the 2 train (New York City) and while I was reading"About The Contributors" a combination of anger and sadness came over me and one that at this time I cannot capture but it was more to the fact that we need books that celebrate us...Black Gay Men

I was saddened by the number of men who died of AIDS related illnesses and was like what are we doing, what am I doing, to honor these men who made it possible for me to be one that to some degree has a bit more "freedom in the village" than they did.

As I was looking through the "Table of Contents" I saw some familiar names and new names that I look forward to reading.

We need or rather I feel we need books like this on the regular as there are so many voices as one is not merely enough and also cannot tell all our stories.

I implore you, each of you, to rise and have your voices heard and if you are a lover of Black Gay Male Literature then by all means purchase this book if not for you then for someone else.

With that said, I have some reading to do (smile)... ... Read more

Product Description
2001 MASS MARKET PAPERBACK EDITION.SOME WEAR AND CREASE ON BOOK.TOP EDGE OF PAGES ARE SLIGHTLY SOILED.OVER ALL A GOOD READING COPY. WE SHIP DAILY.. ... Read more

Product Description
One of E. Lynn Harris's incomparable heroines, Yancey Harrington Braxton, is working her way back to Broadway and beyond. And this diva supreme always stirs up drama in and out of the spotlight....New York City, you've been warned: Yancey Harrington Braxton is back. The ambitious singer and actress is fired up to move past her recent professional and personal setbacks -- including an explosive romance with NFL tight end John Basil Henderson -- and prove her talents are stronger than ever. After being out on tour, Yancey realizes what she really wants is to star in her own reality TV series, and she's even found a rich and well-connected lover to make it happen. There are, however, two women fierce enough to derail Yancey's plans with ambitions of their own: Madison B., a hot new bombshell taking the music industry by storm, and Ava Middlebrooks, who happens to be Yancey's own mama dearest.Ava is out, about, and ready to reclaim her throne. Not even a stint in prison for attempted murder has curbed Ava's competitive nature, and it doesn't faze her in the least that her #1 rival is her own daughter. Ava is willing to do whatever it takes to make Yancey pay, including using Madison B. to turn Yancey's world upside-down by forcing her to confront the past...and making her comeback dreams more exciting and dangerous than she ever imagined. ... Read more

Product Description
Introducing the first volume in an exciting new annual anthology featuring the year’s most outstanding fiction by some of today’s finest African American writers.

From stories that depict black life in times gone by to those that address contemporary issues, this inaugural volume gathers the very best recent African American fiction. Created during a period of electrifying political dialogue and cultural, social, and economic change that is sure to captivate the imaginations of writers and readers for years to come, these short stories and novel excerpts explore a rich variety of subjects. But most of all, they represent exceptional artistry.

Here you’ll find work by both established names and up-and-comers, ranging from Walter Dean Myers to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Mat Johnson, and Junot Díaz. They write about subjects as diverse as the complexities of black middle-class life and the challenges of interracial relationships, a modern-day lynching in the South and a young musician’s coming-of-age during the Harlem Renaissance. What unites these stories, whether set in suburbia, in eighteenth-century New York City, or on a Caribbean island that is supposed to be “brown skin paradise,” is their creators’ passionate engagement with matters of the human heart.

Masterful and engaging, this first volume of Best African American Fiction features stories you’ll want to savor, share, and return to again and again.


Please click the "Behind the Book" link for contributor’s bios.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Almost but not quite...
As a whole, this collection of fiction writing is pretty good. For a black male writer who is always on the prowl for contemporary black literature, this book gave me a great overview of some of what's being written...short stories and excerpts from adult and young people's fiction (this last category is especially important because it's often easily overlooked). There are some newer names like Amina Gautier and some old reliables like Walter Dean Myers. Another positive thing is that there's NOTHING in this collection written by Zane.

The book's limitations are in its aesthetics starting with its TITLE. Some of us feel that the term "African-American" is not as inclusive as the term "black." "Black", in my opinion, encompasses the global black diaspora, and in effect, that IS what this book tries to do with stories set in the U.S. and abroad, impacted and informed by mainland U.S culture and the cultures of "the Islands", for example. I think titling the book "Best 'African-American' Fiction..." actually does the collection a disservice.

Another MAJOR beef: despite brief portraits of the editors, there is no biographical information on any of the contributing authors. For the book excerpts, neither are there editorial intros or outros to provide background for the material anthologized. Put simply, the editors provide absolutely no context for any of the material in the book. This is a major gaffe.

Yet another curiousity, and this isn't meant as a criticism, is that many of the selections, particularly the short stories, seem to revolve around the theme of interracial relationships. Maybe this yet another side effect of the ascendancy of Barack Obama.

Overall, the book IS worth having, and I've since purchased two of the books thatwere excerpted in this collection. In all fairness to the editors, this IS the first edition, but we'll expect them to have everything RIGHT next year. ... Read more

Product Description
Product Description: A literary rent party to benefit the Hurston/ Wright Foundation of African-American fiction, with selections to savor from bestselling authors as well as talented rising stars. Not since Terry McMillan's Breaking Ice have so many African-American writers been brought together in one volume. A stellar collection of works from more than fifty hot names in fiction, Gumbo represents remarkable synergy. Edited by bestselling luminaries Marita Golden and E. Lynn Harris, this collection spans new and previously published tales of love and luck, inspiration and violation, hip new worlds and hallowed heritage from voices such as: ? Edwidge Danticat ? Eric Jerome Dickey ? Kenji Jasper ? John Edgar Wideman ? Terry McMillan ? David Anthony Durham ? Bertice Berry ?and many, many more Also featuring original stories by Golden and Harris themselves, Gumbo heralds the debut of the Hurston/ Wright Legacy Awards for Published Black Writers (scheduled for October 2002), and all advances and royalties from the book will support the Hurston/ Wright Foundation. Combining authors with a variety of flavorful writing, Gumbo will have readers clamoring for second helpings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Met the editor
Met the editor of Gumbo enjoyed her input and had a delightful discussion along with 3 different types of gumbo at dinner.Buy this lovely book and make a pot of gumbo to enjoy while reading this book ... Read more

Product Description
Featuring Bebe Moore Campbell, Eric Jerome Dickey, Toni Morrison, Stanley Crouch, Julie Dash, Trey Ellis, E. Lynn Harris, Gloria Naylor, Clarence Major, Jamaica Kincaid and others. ... Read more

Product Description
Aldridge James AJ Richardson is living the good life. He has a gorgeous town house in always-flavorful New Orleans, plenty of frequent-flier miles from jet-setting around the country on a whim, and an MBAbut hes never had to work a regular job. He owes it all to his longtime lover, Dray Jones. Dray Jones the rich and famous NBA star. They fell in love in college when AJ was hired to tutor Dray, a freshman on the basketball team. But Dray knew if he wanted to make it to the big time, he must juggle his public image and his private desires. Built on a deep, abiding love, their hidden relationship sustains them both, but when Drays teammates begin to ask insinuating questions about AJ, Dray puts their doubts to rest by marrying Judi, a beautiful and ambitious woman. Judi knows nothing about Drays other life. Or does she? In Basketball Jones, E. Lynn Harris explores the consequences of loving someone who is forced to conform to the rules society demands of its public heroes. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an unabridged audio book on 9 Compact Discs. ... Read more

Product Description
Boldy sexy, raucously funny, and unfailingly honest, these original stories take on modern relationships, and navigate the complex landscape of the human heart with characters as fresh and real as love itself. ... Read more

Product Description
Robert Myles Sr. has dedicated his life to God. As a well-known pastor of a thriving Detroit church, his life looks perfect to those on the outside. Yet behind the walls of his Grosse Pointe mansion, things begin to unravel for the man of God. When his oldest son Robbie Jr. comes home from college for Summer break, he has no idea what a vacation he's in for. Robbie's sister is dating an infamous drug dealer, Six, who just happens to their little brother James' unbeknownst parter in crime. As if this isn't enough, Robbie finds himself entangled in a life-threatening relationship with another male leader in his father's church, as he struggles with his own sexuality and being on the down low. As things get worse the man of God finds himself desperate to hear from God. As his family seems to be falling apart, he must hold on to God's unchanging hand; hoping and believing that he has enough faith to make it through these trying times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great book and very interesting
I really enjoyed this book.I loved the characters.It dealt with real issues too.I would love for there to be a part 2.I would like to know what happened later.It had me asking the question, "How big is my faith?"If you are not sure about this book, it's worth reading.

A most skillful and thought-provoking read ...
I'm probably one of the least religious people on the planet. Thus the title was a signal that a certain preachy tome was ahead, however its plot - gay son of a prominent Baptist preacher comes home from college for Thanksgiving and all sorts of drama unfold - made me forge ahead, intrigued, despite the fact that I abhor "preachy" anything and church folk in general.

However, Darvin Lewis quickly drew me into the life of Robbie Myles, Jr., his friends and family and his loves so deeply that when the inevitable preaching began I was too hooked to be overly annoyed by it.I do have to put this in the class of 'Gospel Lit.' because of the heavy-handed sermonizing and themes of redemption (via Jesus) throughout, but these too were well overcome by the author's skillful prose and character development.

This book could be useful to deeply religious people dealing with the gay issue, though I'm not satisfied they come to the proper conclusion - as I'm not entirely sure if the pastor in the story came to the right one himself.Some loose ends and questionable outcomes are not a bad thing though, because sometimes our own personal reflections on an issue are what really matters in the end.All in all, this is a most skillful and thought provoking read.I highly recommend it, and eagerly look forward to the next project from this author. ~ Taylor Siluwé, author of Dancing With The Devil & Cheesy Porn...and other fairytales

Good Read, Fun
I enjoyed the book. The characters are very realistic. For a new author I think he did a good job. It reminds me a lot of books by Eric Jerome Dickey and E Lynn Harris, only this is a little more urban. Overall, I enjoyed it very much. I'd recommend it to a friend.

I Loved It!
Great book. Fun read. I loved the characters. I only have good things to say. Loved it! ... Read more

Product Description
Boldly sexy, raucously funny, and unfailingly honest-all readers will be able to identify with, and fall in love with, these original stories from the hottest male voices in African-American Fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (129)

Not the best
The consensus is of the reviewers is correct....EJD?This wasn't his best work.As a matter of fact, I think it was his worst.Major?He hit it out of the park with the Amir and Kenya storyline.EXCELLENT!!!Harris?His story was fair.Colin?Stopped reading after about 20 pages.I couldn't grasp what was going on and the storyline was all over the place....Just awful!

One story actually lives up to the title!
While the short stories by E. Lynn Harris and Eric Jerome Dickey are interesting and indicative of the authors' places at the top of the best-selling lists, Marcus Major's "Kenya and Amir" is, by far the best of the lot.

Beginning at the breakup of a relationship, the story then flashbacks to the beginnings of the love affair and the ultimate rift that tears apart the bond between the title characters.Major has an understanding of men and women that is evident in his writing and has crafted a tale that appeals to both sexes.

With believable situations/characters and sharp dialogue, he, most definitely, keeps it real.

By the way, I just couldn't finish Colin Channer's sleep-inducing "I'm Still Waiting".

One story in this whole books is really good.
Eric Jerome Dickey - Cafe Piel
Marcus Major - Kenya and Amir
E. Lynn Harris - Money Can't buy me love
Colin Channer - I'm still waiting

I saw the reviews for this book, and seeing so many who thought this book was worthy of a 4 or 5 rating, I thought I would enjoy this book.I was very, very, very, very disappointed, and this book is not as great as a lot of the reviews state.The only story I really enjoyed was Marcus Major's story.This was the best story in the book.I laughed a lot while reading this story, but this story felt real.It's something I've been through.I know exactly what Kenya's character was feeling "guard your heart".Kenya is the type of woman who guarded her heart, and when she allowed herself to open up and allow Amir in, and when he hurt her she was ready (even though she loved him) to keep him out of her life.Amir's mother is a wise, wise woman, and her suggestions to him really made Amir think.Kenya and Amir is the only story out of the four I enjoyed.The stories love scenes were great, I think it's really wonderful to read the male point of view regarding sexuality.This story alone I give a 5 stars.

I did not like Eric Jerome Dickey's story at all.The story is about Bobby who is a freelance photographer going in search of another man for thousands of dollars he is owed, and he ends up in Mexico.While there he ends up falling for Alejandria, who for some reason is dating the very sleeze bag that Bobby is looking for.The story is about forbidden love, but it was slow, and very, very dull.This story was so slow paced and uninteresting, it took me 5 long days to read it.This story lacked substance, and I had to really struggle to finish, and by the end of the story I almost put the book down.The best part of the story was the end of the story.I gave Eric's story 1 star.

The last story in this book is by Colin Channer and I just couldn't get in to this story. I really, really tried to give the story a chance, but I gave up and stopped reading the story.I seriously doubt I will attempt to read a book by Mr. Channer in the future.Being that you can't give zero ratings, I will be giving Mr. Channer a 1 rating.

E. Lynn Harris is an okay author.I've read some of his work, but for me this was not a story I could relate to totally.James is a man looking for a love all of his own, and one of his friends hooks him up with an escort of sorts, and he finds himself drawn to this man.The story is about accepting a person for who he is, who he was, and who he will become.However, the story did keep my interest, so I gave that story a 1 rating.

The average rating for this book will be a 2 being that three of the stories received a rating of 1 for me.I will be donating my copy of this book to my local library.This book is not worth keeping my collection for just one story. Even though it's a good story, this book is still not worth keeping.I would not recommend this book to be purchased.If you have a friend who owns this book or can get it from your local library I suggest borrowing this book.

Still a Memorable Experience
I received this book in 2000 as a gift, and the story that still stands out in my mind is "Amil & Kenya" by Marcus Major. I was ending a difficult relationship in my life, and the words of this particular short story were very theraputic at that point in my life. The perspective and advice delivered by Amil's mother was priceless. This story was the show stealer of the entire book. I definitley think it says something when you can recall the details and emotion of a story after owning the work for 4 years.

I was not impressed by Eric Jerome Dickey's short story. There were quite a few grammatical errors, and the story was rather slow and left much to the imagination. E. Lynn Harris' segment was not as easy to relate to given the sexual orientation of his characters, but it was still a good read. I don't recall the details of the work of the fourth author.

I think this book is worth the money, especially if you are not familiar with any of these authors. I think it is a good way to give you an idea of each writer's individual style. I am definitely a new Marcus Major fan because of this book.

Let's Be Real!!
I had to give this book only three stars because it wasn't really what I expected. I don't really like ERIC JEROME DICKEY'S writing but I thought he did a good job with this one. I have to say that it was a little slow at first but it picked up and turned out to be pretty good. The stories by E. LYNN HARRIS and MARCUS MAJOR were absolute page turners! I didn't want themto end!!! On the other hand, it took me forever to read COLIN CHANNER'S story! It wasn't my idea of a love story and it was poorly written. ... Read more