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The Harris Men
RM 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.
“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.
356 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
5 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Johnson
32 books240 followersRM Johnson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After high school, he served five years in the United States Army. After which he received his Bachelors degree in science, from the University of Louisiana. He worked as an x-ray technologist, and radiation therapist for a number of years while continuously working on his writing, and earned a Masters degree in creative writing from Chicago State University
In 1996, RM wrote THE HARRIS MEN, and in 1999 it was published by Simon & Schuster. It was received with critical acclaim and quickly became a best-seller.
Since then, RM Johnson has written nine novels, to include the best-sellers, THE HARRIS FAMILY, DATING GAMES, and THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE. STACIE AND COLE was his first young adult novel, published in December 2007 by Hyperion Books.
His latest novel, THE MILLION DOLLAR DECEPTION is the sequel to THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE.
In June of 2009, RM threw his ring into the non-fiction ring with WHY MEN FEAR MARRIAGE.
THE MILLION DOLLAR DEMISE is his latest novel.
In 1996, RM wrote THE HARRIS MEN, and in 1999 it was published by Simon & Schuster. It was received with critical acclaim and quickly became a best-seller.
Since then, RM Johnson has written nine novels, to include the best-sellers, THE HARRIS FAMILY, DATING GAMES, and THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE. STACIE AND COLE was his first young adult novel, published in December 2007 by Hyperion Books.
His latest novel, THE MILLION DOLLAR DECEPTION is the sequel to THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE.
In June of 2009, RM threw his ring into the non-fiction ring with WHY MEN FEAR MARRIAGE.
THE MILLION DOLLAR DEMISE is his latest novel.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 26, 2019
Really enjoyed this book! Mr. Johnson's first novel and it is very well written! Look forward to reading more. I am reading his "Million Dollar" series and it eventually connects to this one so, I need to catch up!
March 19, 2015
One word: AMAZING! After the introduction of all of the characters, I simply could not put this book down. I fell in love with each characters story (Marcus being my favorite) and could see pieces of myself in all of them. This book shows why it is so crucial to have a two parent household and how parent's selfish decisions can have a dramatic effect on their lives. I can not wait to start the sequel!!!!
December 11, 2020
Well Written Story
I like this book because the focus was placed on relationships and the way decisions people make affect those directly impacted by them. Well written story. I have to read the next book to top off my 2020 reading goal and find out what happens next.
I like this book because the focus was placed on relationships and the way decisions people make affect those directly impacted by them. Well written story. I have to read the next book to top off my 2020 reading goal and find out what happens next.
March 21, 2012
This is one of the most realistic books that I have ever read.
The four different characters in the book have touched my heart in different ways.
I can relate to the relationship of the siblings to each other. I hope though that as the eldest, I will do better to bring my siblings closer.
The book does not attempt to explain the irrational behavior of the characters. Things happen and some of them cannot be explained.
The four different characters in the book have touched my heart in different ways.
I can relate to the relationship of the siblings to each other. I hope though that as the eldest, I will do better to bring my siblings closer.
The book does not attempt to explain the irrational behavior of the characters. Things happen and some of them cannot be explained.
June 14, 2018
OK. It took me a minute to get into this book. (It usually does when I'm reading an author for the first time.)
The Harris Men started of slow but half-way through it dug it's claws in. As a woman who gre up without a father I was hoping to glean more from the storylines, but I didn't. Perhaps because I am a woman and the characters in this story were men. Angry, mal-adjusted men who obviously did not seek counseling to heal from their father leaving and their mother dying.
The oldest brother, Austin, wasn't just angry... he was mean. We learn that this is just his personality. He is a mean, tactless asshole bully that has been fortunate enough in life to have one guilt-ridden brother who doesn't leave him, and a woman silly enough to have married him lol. Though I didn't like him much as a character, I did enjoy reading how his storyline played out.
Marcus is the middle son. He tries his best to keep his brothers close, but he finds himself caught in the midde (literally and figuratively). Initially, we think he the normal, sensible brother, but when he finds himself falling for a woman we learn quickly that he, too, is very broken.
Caleb, the youngest son, grew up to be a thug. He does thuggish things and it plays out like every movie about a thug-with-the-heart-of-gold.
I found the father, who came back after 20 years, to be a disingenuine. Maybe it is my own personal bias, but I truly believe that if he wasn't battling cancer (and this were a true to life story lol) he would not have seeked out his sons. How the sons reacted to his return were spot on in my opinion.
I don't want anyone to be deterred by the 3 stars. I did enjoy the book. There were just pockets in it that I felt I had to trudge through. I am on to reading part 2- The Harris Family.
Enjoy!
The Harris Men started of slow but half-way through it dug it's claws in. As a woman who gre up without a father I was hoping to glean more from the storylines, but I didn't. Perhaps because I am a woman and the characters in this story were men. Angry, mal-adjusted men who obviously did not seek counseling to heal from their father leaving and their mother dying.
The oldest brother, Austin, wasn't just angry... he was mean. We learn that this is just his personality. He is a mean, tactless asshole bully that has been fortunate enough in life to have one guilt-ridden brother who doesn't leave him, and a woman silly enough to have married him lol. Though I didn't like him much as a character, I did enjoy reading how his storyline played out.
Marcus is the middle son. He tries his best to keep his brothers close, but he finds himself caught in the midde (literally and figuratively). Initially, we think he the normal, sensible brother, but when he finds himself falling for a woman we learn quickly that he, too, is very broken.
Caleb, the youngest son, grew up to be a thug. He does thuggish things and it plays out like every movie about a thug-with-the-heart-of-gold.
I found the father, who came back after 20 years, to be a disingenuine. Maybe it is my own personal bias, but I truly believe that if he wasn't battling cancer (and this were a true to life story lol) he would not have seeked out his sons. How the sons reacted to his return were spot on in my opinion.
I don't want anyone to be deterred by the 3 stars. I did enjoy the book. There were just pockets in it that I felt I had to trudge through. I am on to reading part 2- The Harris Family.
Enjoy!
January 20, 2018
Julius Wilson Harris has a lot of making up to do after walking out on his wife and three young sons, Austin, Marcus and Caleb, twenty years ago. The hardest to break is Marcus who hates him. Austin has been receptive to talking with their dad but Caleb has no idea their father is in Chicago and ready to reconcile with his now grown sons. An eye opening story that could be any ones reality.
Four 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟.
Four 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟.
March 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I read this book years ago and I always loved this story.
December 10, 2014
How ironic that I chose to read this book right before Father's Day as the book centers around a father, a truly horrible one, and his three sons Austin, Marcus and Caleb. The father Julius has just learned he has prostate cancer and is given only a few more years to live--After dwelling in self pity and inner reflection he decides the one thing he wants to do is reconnect with his sons-- after walking out and leaving them and their mother twenty years ago...I hated Julius, what kind of sorry excuse of a man willingly takes a wife, creates three children and then decides to walk out on them with no word or money for twenty years..Having had an excellent father myself who was always there whether I wanted him or not LOL I couldnt stand Julius and didnt feel the least bit of sympathy or sorrow for the dying man..How dare he abandon them as children, never to be there for their biggest moments then just decide to be a part of them..now, I want to know if he wasnt about to die would this big reunion ever cross his mind? He is despicable and in the shoes of any of the sons I personally would never forgive him or give him the satisfaction of knowing how great I became without him... Whew..intense.. okay so the story basically revolves around the sons and their own problems that basically stem from the lack of a positive male role model and examples of love and success, what all children essentially need to become that as adults..So yea the eldest Austin is just as silly and selfish as his father and actually walks out on his wife and children-- why you ask.., well that is never really explored and basically equates to her not being good enough and him just getting bored with his chosen life of marriage and kids,---Didnt get his story and he was kinda annoying with his melodrama about not getting to do what he wanted, blah blah..The middle child Marcus is just as bad with his outrageous commitment issues, coming from the fact he was extremely close to his mom and when their dad left he saw her fall apart so he felt anyone he got close to would leave him and he ended up resented everyone for it and being unable to get close to anyone again. The only thing I really liked about him was the hatred that he, like myself harbored for Julius... didnt really get with him either so I guess the only one I really related to was Caleb. Caleb, the youngest, the loser who just couldnt get it together..He had no job, no money and no way to help his girlfriend and young son Jahlil and was just desperate. Held down by "the man" and his own laziness you felt for him, happy when it was all good and just as disappointed and sad as he did when it went all bad.. what he ultimately did was beyond stupid but I know too many people like him to judge what he was going through...The showdown between dumb ass Julius and his sons inevitably comes and I was not impressed with the ending, I thought Julius was manipulative and once again incredibly selfish...
Overall I must say this book was well written and honest and I respect that--recommended as an intriguing read you will actually remmeber and feel something because of it, that's hot..
Overall I must say this book was well written and honest and I respect that--recommended as an intriguing read you will actually remmeber and feel something because of it, that's hot..
January 7, 2012
THE HARRIS MEN by RM Johnson is the story of three African-American brothers whose father left their mother and them with no explanation. For twenty years they never saw nor heard from him. Now he has cancer and is feeling regrets and wants to see them again.
This is the first in a trilogy. You won't be able to stop after the first book. The characters are so well formed you can't help but feel connected to them and want to know what comes next.
The oldest was close to his father and is now a successful attorney. The second was close to his mother, who died with breast cancer. This son is now an accomplished artist. The youngest has the fewest memories of either parent and has never succeeded at anything, but refuses to take help from his brothers, even if it means keeping him from committing crimes to have a way to raise his beloved son.
I loved this book and give it five stars.
This is the first in a trilogy. You won't be able to stop after the first book. The characters are so well formed you can't help but feel connected to them and want to know what comes next.
The oldest was close to his father and is now a successful attorney. The second was close to his mother, who died with breast cancer. This son is now an accomplished artist. The youngest has the fewest memories of either parent and has never succeeded at anything, but refuses to take help from his brothers, even if it means keeping him from committing crimes to have a way to raise his beloved son.
I loved this book and give it five stars.
September 15, 2008
This novel (which i got on clearance) was very interesting-I don't typically read books that are male specific. This one discusses the lives of three brothers who are in various situations and at different points in their lives. Each is at his own crossroads and is working through manhood, fatherhood and brotherhood. It is a good family story and if you come from a big family, like me, this one will hit close to home.
July 15, 2013
While I did enjoy the overall plot of this book, I felt like it dragged unnecessarily at many points. It could've been 50-100 pages shorter than it was and still made the point effectively. That is pretty much the only reason why I'm giving it 3 stars.
January 19, 2008
I thought this book was very well writen. It was easy to get caught up with each of the characters and get into their lives. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.
December 8, 2008
Very good book i loved it
November 1, 2011
This book is an emotional journey of strong black men dealing with real life issues and heartache and forgiveness.
June 9, 2009
This book is one of the first books R.M. Johnson wrote. It is also one of the best.
June 24, 2009
I got this book mixed up with a part two to this novel, this is what I read, The Harris family is the one to read.
December 22, 2009
my pops liked this a lot. i thought it was ok.
October 18, 2010
excellent book, great characters and real life situations. I really felt for the men in this books.
June 24, 2012
I had to put it down. Simply could not get into it.
October 8, 2012
This book was really good! I can't wait to read the sequal.
April 13, 2017
DO NOT read this book if you have dead beat Dad anger/resentment! I enjoy R.M. Johnson's stories (Million Dollar Divorce is Amazing). The Harris Men had me wanting to climb inside the book and give everyone a piece of my mind. I also shed some tears. You never know where life may take you, but if you burn all the bridges to get there, then you deserve to drown....at least that is how this book made me feel. Julius was welcome to find a one way flotation device to gone somewhere land! This will raise your blood pressure & make you reevaluate how you handle close relationships.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews