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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
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.
Bulky. Lots to get through. BUT incredibly told story that didn’t feel like I was watching a boring historical documentary. I loved seeing our favorite historical figures in a different light. Superb read!
“Harlem Rhapsody" took me on a fascinating journey through the vibrant streets of Harlem and into the hearts of literary giants. While the novel isn't a challenging read, I found myself savoring each page, needing time to fully appreciate the historical context and the depth of the characters.
At its core, this book shines a light on Jessie Redmond Fauset, who played a pivotal mentorship role for influential figures like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. It's astounding to see how she ignited the Harlem Renaissance, nurturing talent and fostering creativity during a time of cultural upheaval.
Murray's portrayal of Fauset is both inspiring and juicy. The revelations, particularly her ongoing affair with W.E.B. Du Bois, added unexpected layers to her character and the narrative. This blend of history and passion makes "Harlem Rhapsody" a compelling read, leaving readers not only educated but also thoroughly entertained.
If you're a fan of historical fiction that intertwines mentorship, romance, and the richness of African American culture, this book is a must-read!
This combination of historical fiction and romance works for me!! Victoria Christopher Murray has written a story that I will never forget and she did it well. I have to thank her for introducing me to Jessie Redmond Fauset, the literary midwife, who without her Black literature would not exist as we know it. There were many things that I could relate to in this book but Jessie’s career intrigued me the most. She was so focused and committed to doing great work. Jessie understood what it meant to shape and mold younger writers for greatness. She knew that Black children around the country deserved good literature and needed to see themselves in print. And she knew her gift of writing deserved to be read by many!! All of it inspired me and I considered it the main course of the book. Jessie’s affair with W.E.B. DuBois is a side dish for me!! It gave me the romance needed to keep things spicy and dramatic. Take a journey to Harlem….the city sounds, the clothes, the music….the writers…take it all in! It’s a great book!! READ IT!!!
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!
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