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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.
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Community Reviews
I was hoping for more from this book as it felt more about the evolution of the love affair than the role of Jessie Faucet and her role in the Harlem Renaissance. Having the novel based on a true historical person had me wishing the author took a stronger personality and empowerment narrative. As a book club read, it definitely sparked alot of conversation but the book itself wasn't something I enjoyed reading.
was so looking forward to reading this book. With the premise of reading about Jessie Fauset the “ literary midwife”, W.E.B Dubois, the Harlem Renaissance, and how some of the most notable black poets came to be known were a few reasons I was eager to read this story. I struggled to give this a three star rating. I wish the author had not compounded most of the plot into the affair of W.E.B. Du Bois and Ms Jessie Fauset. I was a bit disappointed that with such a strong African-American woman of strong character and accomplishments she seemed unable to make any decisions without relating them back to WEB Dubois.
This felt very repetitive and to me, took away from for many literary accomplishments. I feel as to know about the affair was instrumental, but to make the entire story revolve around it sucked the life out of it. I commend the author on her in-depth research on the setting, the period and the people of the story. I feel the author’s research about Ms. Jessie Fauset was phenomenal, and I really enjoyed reading about this literary icon and her involvement with notable, black poets, such as Langston Hughes, Nella Larsen, Countee Cullen and many others. Although I feel these relationships, the monumental discuss that accomplishment, was a bit over shadowed once again with the affair she had with W.E.B.Du Bois.
It was great to discover this book. I was educated on facts about the Harlem Renaissance and loved the introduction to people I didn't know. The details and easy reading shows the skill and research of the author.
As someone who grew up reading the authors of the Harlem Renaissance, I was absolutely enthralled with the history in this book. I enjoyed learning about some people I didn’t know. I kept saying Who Knew? Then I would google that person and their novels or poetry and read them or listen to them on Audible. My greatest joy was discovering the extraordinary protagonist, Jessie Redmon Fauset, fondly referred to as the Midwife of the Harlem Renaissance. Who Knew? Just like with the book co-authored by Victoria Christopher Murray and Marie Benedict, The Personal Librarian’s protagonist, Belle de Costa Greene and Jessie Redmon Fauset have become new sheroes for me. Both women were forgotten in history. Both were highly accomplished women despite the era in which they lived. Both made significant contributions to the world of literature and succeeded in what was considered a man’s world. Both made the decision to make personal sacrifices to focus on their careers. It is such a shame that many did not know about them until Victoria Christopher Murray illuminated their lives and lifework, and I am grateful. Author Alice Walker also saved another Harlem Renaissance woman author from obscurity when she reintroduced us to Zora Neale Hurston and her wonderful writings. Victoria Christopher Murray has written more than 30 novels in several genres, but I personally think she’s found a new niche in which she is extremely well suited.
Historical fiction at its finest. Victoria Christopher Murray researched and imagined life for the real-life novelist and editor of a 1920’s Jazz-Age literary magazine. Well-known writers come and go along with unknowns who should be known. Jessie Fauset discovered the talents of the young Langston Hughes, Jean Toomer and other greats as she wrote her own novels and edited literary works of others.
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