I Say a Little Prayer

May 1, 2006
Harris takes a sympathetic look at the difficulty of reconciling homosexuality and faith in the black church in his lively ninth novel. Thirty-eight-year old Chauncey Greer classifies his heft sexual appetite as "basically bi with a gay leaning;" but also needs a personal relationship with God. Once a member of a boy band called Reunion (his deeply felt love affair with fellow bandmate Sweet D precipitated its breakup), Chauncey now owns a successful Atlanta-based greeting card company. Chauncey is a regular at the progressive Abundant Joy Baptist Church, where Pastor Kenneth's inspired preaching reignites his dreams of a singing career. After Chauncey sings a soul-stirring solo at church, the pastor invites him to perform at an upcoming revival led by the fundamentalist Bishop Upchurch and his vindictive wife Grayson. But Chauncey's friends plan to boycott the revival because of the Upchurches' gay-bashing, and Chauncey must decide between his passion for singing and his personal identity-a decision complicated by the reappearance of a figure from his past. Though supporting characters remain flat, Harris (A Love of My Own) illuminates a divide in the black church while exploring the universal theme of broken love.

February 1, 2007
In his ninth novel, Harris explores the timely topic of gays finding acceptance in the church. Chauncey Greer owns a successful greeting card business in Atlanta. He is also a talented singer and was once part of a popular boy band but was asked to leave when he was caught in an intimate situation with a bandmate. Now, 20 years later, Chauncey's dreams of a singing career are reawakened when the pastor of his church invites him to sing a solo at an upcoming revival. Complications arise when he learns that the featured guests are the fundamentalist Bishop Upchurch and his malicious wife, whose homophobic rants conceal hidden secrets and political agendas. Chauncey's decision to sing and keep quiet or stand up for his identity is further complicated by a figure from his past. Harris expertly juggles a delicate topic while maintaining aspects of humor and sexy situations. Mirron Willis's silky-smooth delivery also makes this a rewarding listening experience. For adult fiction collections.Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence

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