The Harris MenRM Johnson's extraordinary novel is a stirring family portrait that resonates with emotion and wit, as a father faces death—and the three sons he abandoned so many years before. “Mr. Harris, I'm sorry, but you have cancer.” Although devastated to learn he has just one year to live, fifty-five-year-old Julius Harris has always known that the day would come when he would pay for walking out on his wife and three children twenty years earlier. Now, with a sudden and passionate determination to make his family whole again, Julius begins trying to find a way back to his sons. Caleb, the youngest, struggling to support a son and make his way in a relentless world, couldn't care less about his own absentee father. Middle son Marcus can't abide even his father's memory, which gets in the way of his committing to the one woman who has turned his life around. And Austin, Julius' eldest child, so adores what he remembers of his father that he's following in his footsteps, abandoning his wife and children just as Julius had done. Inspired by RM Johnson's own fragile family history, The Harris Men is his poignant exploration of the increasing problem of absentee fathers—and of the compromises made by the families they leave behind. As the Harris men grapple with their fears and their choices, Johnson gets to the very heart of what it means to be a man. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
ain't answer arms Austin looked Benning Blue brother Caleb asked Caleb looked Caleb sat Caleb thought Cathy Chad chair cognac damn door everything eyes face father feel felt floor front fuck give going grabbed hand happened Harris HARRIS MEN He's my brother head hear heard hell Jahlil Jonathan Miller Julius Julius Harris kids kissed knew leave live Marcus asked Marcus rushed Marcus's mind mother motherfucker mouth moved never night nine to five okay picked pocket problem pulled pushed Ray Ray Reecie shit shoulder sitting smile someone Sonya sorry standing staring stood stop street supposed sure talk tell thing tired told took Trace tried trying turned voice waiting walked watch What's wife woman wondered worry would've wrong Yeah yelled