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beingjada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
derhindemith's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read. It isn't a book written for the prose, as just about every other reviewer here notes, it's written for the story (and even that's a bit thin at times). But, like most of the other reviewers here note, there's an important aspect to the book: innocuous stories of successful black gay men. That, in and of itself, is reason enough for the book.
I hated the villain, and not because they were so evil, but because they were just a caricature. And that's all I'll say about the writing.
I hated the villain, and not because they were so evil, but because they were just a caricature. And that's all I'll say about the writing.
ugogirl65's review against another edition
4.0
While I have read several other books from this author, it's been a long time ago, so this was a pleasant surprise. I defintely had a love/hate relationship with the main character, but in the end, I had to root for him.
tiffanis29's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the storyline and subplots. Made good points. Left a few questions lingering.
deehawkins74's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
friendofhayley's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
beblackbeloved's review against another edition
3.0
The main character is this one, I just really couldn't jive with. It was very heavy on the religion side, which served its purpose for the plot, but Chauncey's judgmental nature contradicted a good chunk of his religious beliefs. He was very self-centered, misogynistic, colorist, always slut-shaming (but still sleeping with men in relationships), and making disparaging remarks about other gay men (including those he called his friends). E. Lynn Harris creates characters that are like some of the most irritating people I know, which is why I can't say that his stories are ever...unrealistic. But this one, while it had the drama that I love, was full of a lot of shit that just does not age well.
bettyboop25's review against another edition
5.0
This book was good. I enjoyed it and could not put it down.
crankylibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I've always been curious abut E. Lynn Harris: at the height of his popularity in the mid 90s he was the Tyler Perry of books: a black author dissed by the critics who was phenomenally popular among black readers. Most of his novels feature young upwardly mobile African Americans chasing love and success in cities like Atlanta, Chicago or New York; many, but not all of his protagonists are gay, as was Harris himself.
I Say a Little Prayer deals with a timely topic: gay rights and the role of the church. Chauncey, an openly gay businessman and aspiring singer, is happily committed to Abundant Life Church and Pastor Kenneth. He faces a dilemma when he discovers that his pastor has arranged for him to sing at a revival hosted by the gay-bashing Bishop Upchurch...Chauncey's closeted ex boyfriend. Yikes!
I can't give Harris points for his prose style; but he creates vivid characters and he knows how to build suspense. Will Chauncey sing at the revival or stand up for his beliefs? Will he expose Bishop Upchurch? Although I felt Harris copped out on Chauncey at the end, I was delighted to see some nuance in the portrayal of black gay men, and of black religion. In white popular culture, the black church is often used for comic relief, with the underlying assumption that such churches are peopled by overly emotional yet intellectually deficient "holy rollers". The church folks in Harris's novel are all intelligent, mostly well educated and have complicated viws about faith, sexuality and gender roles. This perhaps explains Harris enduring popularity; he was able to present the complexity of modern black life without falling back on stereotypes.
I Say a Little Prayer deals with a timely topic: gay rights and the role of the church. Chauncey, an openly gay businessman and aspiring singer, is happily committed to Abundant Life Church and Pastor Kenneth. He faces a dilemma when he discovers that his pastor has arranged for him to sing at a revival hosted by the gay-bashing Bishop Upchurch...Chauncey's closeted ex boyfriend. Yikes!
I can't give Harris points for his prose style; but he creates vivid characters and he knows how to build suspense. Will Chauncey sing at the revival or stand up for his beliefs? Will he expose Bishop Upchurch? Although I felt Harris copped out on Chauncey at the end, I was delighted to see some nuance in the portrayal of black gay men, and of black religion. In white popular culture, the black church is often used for comic relief, with the underlying assumption that such churches are peopled by overly emotional yet intellectually deficient "holy rollers". The church folks in Harris's novel are all intelligent, mostly well educated and have complicated viws about faith, sexuality and gender roles. This perhaps explains Harris enduring popularity; he was able to present the complexity of modern black life without falling back on stereotypes.
bettyboop25's review against another edition
5.0
This book was good. I enjoyed it and could not put it down.