And This Too Shall Pass - ISBNLookup.com

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In Harris's entertaining new work, the issues of sexual orientation that dominated his first two novels (Invisible Life and its sequel, Just How I Am) take a back seat to universal questions of justice, love and career. The melodrama here centers around three African Americans. Zurich Robinson, the starting quarterback for Chicago's new NFL team, shields his personal dilemmas behind an aloof manner that puzzles those who know him. Elsewhere in Chicago, Tamela Coleman, a frustrated corporate attorney considering opening her own office, has sworn off relationships with men-until she meets police officer Caliph Taylor. And in Manhattan, loneliness drives freelance journalist Sean Elliott to a series of unfulfilling sexual liaisons with other men. When Sean, a fan of Zurich's, is assigned to profile the quarterback, the two become friends. While accepting Sean's companionship, however, Zurich rejects another admirer, alcoholic TV sports anchor Mia Miller. But after Mia is raped and beaten, she points a finger at Zurich, who then hires Tamela to clear his name. Sean, meanwhile, aware of his growing attraction to Zurich, considers sharing his feelings, even as Tamela must decide about her future with Caliph. Harris's characters face problems including domestic abuse, alcoholism and sexual confusion, but the redemptive powers of family, faith and love-embodied in Zurich's grandmother MamaCee-help guide them to understanding. Despite some stilted dialogue, this novel should broaden the author's readership and reinforce his growing reputation as an accessible, younger voice in African American literature. (Mar.)

Library Journal

Zurich Robinson appears to be the perfect man. Young, handsome, serious, intelligent, and religious, this starting quarterback for the Chicago Cougers has everything going for him. However, Zurich's dreams turn to nightmares when he is accused of raping Mia, a local sportscaster. Meanwhile Sean, a young, gay sportscaster, begins to learn more about Zurich and uncovers secrets that could bring disaster. It is up to Tamela, a high-powered attorney, to defend Zurich and save his career. These ingredients suggest a foundation for a fascinating story. Unfortunately, this abridgment comes off flat, predictable, and boring. Reader Courtney B. Vance does an adequate job, although all his female characters sound alike. Since Harris (Just As I Am, Doubleday, 1994) is a popular author, this recording will be in demand. Still, librarians may want to wait for an unabridged edition or stick with the print version.Danna C. Bell-Russel, District of Columbia P.L.

Kirkus Reviews

Harris (Just As I Am, 1994, etc.) adds another to his oeuvre of dramatically aimless and static soap operas.

Zurich Robinson is a handsome, earnest, mysteriously celibate young quarterback for the Chicago Cougars, an NFL expansion team; when he resists the advances of gorgeous, wine-guzzling sportscaster Mia Miller, Zurich finds himself accused of rape. The reader knows Zurich is innocent, so this central plot line has little suspense as Harris provides his hero with a suitably cardboard entourage: handsome, earnest sportswriter Sean Elliott; beautiful, earnest attorney Tamela Coleman; striking, earnest publicist Gina DeMarco. Investigating Zurich's life, Sean discovers that Zurich had a gay twin brother who died of AIDS; Zurich, in turn, opens up to Sean about this brother, but he remains confused—or is it coy?—about his own sexuality. Naturally, Sean falls for Zurich. Meanwhile: Tamela falls for Caliph, an earnest, handsome policeman; Tamela and her friends, to fill time as the plot meanders along, get together for bouts of stilted dishing; the quality of Zurich's quarterbacking wobbles as stunning, not-so-earnest wide receiver Basil Henderson tries unsuccessfully to get into his pants; and MamaCee, Zurich's grandmother, arrives unexpectedly from Mississippi to dispense grits and down-home wisdom to everyone in Chicago. At last, with the support of handsome Derrick, an ex who's come back to save her from her indistinct demons, Mia withdraws her rape charge. By the long-delayed end itself, Sean has found God, Zurich has found Sean, and several implausible characters are beaming about how wonderful love is (even the peripheral figure of Sean's sister learns to stop worrying and start dating women).

In another's hands, this all-black roadshow saga might make for trashy fun, but Harris's characterizations and dialogue are too flimsily crafted to keep the reader from eying the title wistfully long before the novel chugs to an end in its welter of platitudes.