Richard Harris was born in Toronto, Canada in 1974. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at McGill University in 1996, he moved to South Korea, where he lived for 10 years. He returned to Canada in 2009 and now lives in Toronto, Ontario.
A Father’s Son (2013) is his first novel and was a quarter-finalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. He is also the author of two non-fiction books, Roadmap to Korean (2003) and Faces of Korea (2004), a novella (The Uncorrected Proof of Sexy Mild Genius Girl), and four published short stories.
In 2012, he received a Level II Toronto Arts Council grant for A Father’s Son. In 2013, he served on the Toronto Arts Council’s Level II grant committee jury. In 2014, he received a Canada Council for the Arts grant for his second novel, The Immortal Flower, and was nominated for the Ontario Arts Council Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Harris recently finished work on a screenplay adaptation of his first novel, A Father’s Son. He is currently working on a memoir, The Lilacs of Spring, and his third novel, The Redemption of Guilt. He is seeking an agent for representation and can be contacted at harrisrh@gmail.com. Click here to access his Facebook fan page, or reach out to him on Twitter @harrisrh88.
Reviews
This is about a normal 14-year old teenage boy, Justin, a very talented ice-hockey player, whose mother got recently arrested. He moves back in with his estranged dad, who is suffering from alcoholism, and with no means of income. The only common bond they share is Justin’s passion for playing ice-hockey. His father tries hard to stand up to his son in every possible way; he even warms up to Justin’s girlfriend, almost immediately. When Justin had a hard time in his home, with his dad, he used to crash over his friend’s house, who’s mom is like his very own mom and always used to praise him and took care of him. We see Justin’s bravest side, when his father suffers from very terrible situations and how Justin stands up in those situations.
Indeed a very heart-touching story that will grasp you from the very beginning of the son’s painful journey.
The author has spun the story so marvelously and intelligently. This book is set in the 80s in Toronto, Canada and the author has vividly made that time alive in front of our eyes. The book has got every element of history, the then culture of Canada and also a bit of romance, which makes the book a perfect read on the Father’s Day. Also this book deals with the teenage issues and those hard times and complications between a teenager and his father. The characters are very appealing and are quite strong enough to make an impact on our minds, especially, the character of Justin, who is brave, and in a way, insecure and has also got some raw talent. His relationship with his father is what makes this book more interesting as well as compelling.
In a nutshell, a perfect Father’s Day gift and of course a must read, in the honor of the fathers all over the world.”
July 19, 2014
“Well, I should start by saying that I hate the author. Why? Because he made me cry so bad towards the end of the book that even after I have completed it, I m still teary eyed and have a empty box of tissues in front of me and in desperate need of another one because the damn tears won’t stop flowing. In my entire reading spree I do not reckon a circumstance where I have actually got emotionally lost in the book that I kept crying and crying even when I m writing the review.”
“Korean is a notoriously difficult language…Richard Harris…has created a lively written guide…for those attempting the trek.” — Korea Herald
For newcomers, the book will be an indispensable account of what life is truly like here [in Korea] from all different angles. On the other hand, people who have been living here for a while will find it interesting because they will be able to relate to the stories.”
October 10, 2005
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Richard H. Harris 
Hello Mr. Harris, I promised I would read the book and here I am…in the middle of reading what is arguably one of the best novels I have read in a while. I find myself immersed in the world you have created in “A Father’s Son” [I can’t seem to properly underline here, so forgive the quotations],. I held my breath waiting for the glass to shatter when Tony threw the aquarium. I can smell the stale cigarettes in Rickster’s apartment. I can feel the angst and turmoil that JR struggles with. I am truly enjoying this and since I can’t find an email address, i wanted to let you know that I did indeed start reading this novel. Sincerely, Second Cup Mel.
Hello Richard. I came across your book “Roadmap to Korean” when I was living in South Korea about 9 years ago and it helped me in my quest to improve my non-existent Korean at that time – I always refer to it when I have a moment to spare and am glad to have found your website.
It is fair to say that I am now on the incredibly difficult road to develop my Korean to a more practical level and now try to study Korean as much as possible with the little free time that I have these days.
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What a bio! Just reading your accomplishments as an author motivates my own writing. And as a fellow Canadian, I couldn’t be more proud. Write on Richard. Write on!
You’re too kind and kindly. Not sure if my literary CV is anything to write home about (though I am at home right now, so…), but I’m ecstatic that my work can at least serve as motivation for others like you. Therefore I say to you: Write on, Andrea!
🙌✏️💫