Harlem Rhapsody
“A gripping narrative, don't miss this historical fiction about the woman who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance.”—People Magazine
“A page turner and history lesson at once, Harlem Rhapsody reminds us that our stories are our generational wealth.”—Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club Pick)
She found the literary voices that would inspire the world…. The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.
In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all.
W. E. B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, is not only Jessie’s boss, he’s her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Amidst rumors of their tumultuous affair, Jessie is determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenge of discovering young writers with fervor, finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie’s leadership, The Crisis thrives…every African American writer in the country wants their work published there.
When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it’s clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.
“A page turner and history lesson at once, Harlem Rhapsody reminds us that our stories are our generational wealth.”—Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club Pick)
She found the literary voices that would inspire the world…. The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.
In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all.
W. E. B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, is not only Jessie’s boss, he’s her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Amidst rumors of their tumultuous affair, Jessie is determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenge of discovering young writers with fervor, finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie’s leadership, The Crisis thrives…every African American writer in the country wants their work published there.
When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it’s clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
A beautiful story that you will never forget.
In 2022, I read Victoria Christopher Murray 's book, The Personal Librarian, which she co-wrote with Marie Benedict, and fell in love with the story. Harlem Rhapsody was the first solo book by the author I read, and from the moment I began it, I wanted to recommend it to my friends. Jessie’s story captured my attention from the beginning until almost the end. The middle of the book had a few sections that were slow. I loved how realistic the story felt and how the vivid descriptions of the setting transported me to New York City in the 1920s. Jessie Fauset is someone I will not forget. She fascinated me so much that I did my own research after finishing the book.
From the moment I started reading this book, I could tell how much research went into it. I had never heard of Jessie Fauset until I started reading Harlem Rhapsody, and I felt as if I learned so much; she was an amazing woman. I had mixed feelings about Jessie and WEB DuBois’ relationship. I could tell how much Jessie cared about WEB, but there were times when I questioned WEB’s feelings. On the other hand, there were moments when I could see how much he adored her. I was curious to see where their relationship would go. I admired Jessie's commitment to her work; no matter what happened or how difficult the situation became; she never gave up.
I enjoyed learning about Jessie's journey and her impact on others. I am curious to learn more about her. I had previously read black history historical fiction, but none hit me like Harlem Rhapsody; I'm still going through the emotions. I loved the author's historical note at the end of the novel, which sparked my interest in Jessie Fauset. I believe this is one of those works that should be read at least once. I would highly recommend to any historical fiction fans. Now I can't wait to see what she has planned for us next!
Two words: Disappointed & Conflicted.
Disappointed in her for accepting the role of side chick.
Conflicted in possibly wanting to learn more about William Edward Burghardt DuBois.
I thoroughly enjoyed the roller coaster ride. This book was definitely a page turn. It gripped me with suspense and surprise at every twist and turn. I highly recommend this historical fiction novel. If you are like, you will be taken back in time and sitting at every location watching everything unfold; this book literally takes you there. Happy Reading!
If there is a book that I couldn't put down this was one. That is what made me rate it as high as I did. Now if there is a book that made me hate an "American Great" it would be this one. This was similar to the book "The Other Einstein" That book painted Albert in an unsavory light. Well this one did the same for W.E.B Dubois to me. He was narcissistic, misogynistic, all the istics. He would gaslight Jessie, used sex as a form of peer pressure(to a certain extent because she loved it seems like) also hated to see anyone, women especially do better than him or have more light. Jessie, I don't know what to say. To be ok being a mans mistress and never wanting your own happiness. It was a pure mind fuck and I think he caused it. That's just my opinion. This book def got my blood flowing.
This was not what I expected. The story is centered around the affair while the Harlem Renaissance is but a backdrop.
What I enjoyed about the book was Jessie’s passion for literature, dedication to challenging the racist and sexist stereotypes of the time, and her drive to run the The Crisis, but all of that gets overshadowed by her affair with W.E.B. Du Bois. Talk about a male-centered woman smh. And she’s the worst kind of woman who smiles all up in the wife’s face while sneaking around with her man. It was laughable when she had the audacity to be upset that she wasn’t the only other woman. I appreciate Jessie’s mother for not accepting her bullshit when she kept trying to justify sleeping with a married man. Also, aside from being a philanderer, Du Bois is misogynistic, elitist, condescending and self-important. And Nina was unrealistically gracious in the end.
Despite all that, it is a well-written story and the author definitely did the research which I always look for in historical fiction. The dialogues between the characters regarding topics such as identity, self-determination, racial injustices, the women’s suffrage movement, and the overall fight for equality was good. Also, the decision to publish Langston Hughes’s poem in the backdrop of the news about the Tulsa Race Massacre was brilliant! But what has to be my favorite moment was Jessie’s speech at the Pan-African Congress about the Black women with Ph.D’s.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.