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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
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!
This book was a gem. Who knew W.B. DuBois was even married let alone had a mistress. To bring this more to current status of affairs in the workplace. This situation was standard, and with the no "Me Too Movement", who was going to check the famous DeBois. It was as if he thought he made her so you have to follow my mindset. So often I have seen this in Higher Education. Notwithstanding, we gained great literature from Fauset's status at the Crisis. I appreciate the uncovering of her genius.
Pass history of a black women’s life before the 1925. What, how, things were. Beautiful written and spoken by the reader. Especially, when she was speaking in French. Thank you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4 stars
This is such a fascinating story that takes place during the Harlem Renaissance and centers around the extraordinary Jessie Redmon Fauset. I greatly enjoyed the history woven throughout the story and that these characters were real people (Jessie, W.E.B. Du Bois, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Nella Larsen, etc.). I really appreciated the author's note at the end where she talks about all of the research that went in to this book, and explains the parts where she took some liberties with the truth, molding it into a storyline that engages the reader.
Because the author chose the affair between Jessie and Du Bois to be the focal point of the story, I did find it hard to be sympathetic to Jessie's hardships when she was knowingly having an affair with a married man. I know the affair played a large part in how this history came to be, but I would have appreciated more emphasis on the history and what was happening during this time period, and maybe looking in to the "side" characters more.
I listened to the audiobook thanks to the Libro.fm Librarian ALC program and Penguin Audio, and I thought the narration was wonderful.
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as The Personal Librarian, mostly due to the off-putting nature of the affair, but still found it to be an engrossing history lesson that has prompted me to look into the Harlem Renaissance more deeply.
This is such a fascinating story that takes place during the Harlem Renaissance and centers around the extraordinary Jessie Redmon Fauset. I greatly enjoyed the history woven throughout the story and that these characters were real people (Jessie, W.E.B. Du Bois, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Nella Larsen, etc.). I really appreciated the author's note at the end where she talks about all of the research that went in to this book, and explains the parts where she took some liberties with the truth, molding it into a storyline that engages the reader.
Because the author chose the affair between Jessie and Du Bois to be the focal point of the story, I did find it hard to be sympathetic to Jessie's hardships when she was knowingly having an affair with a married man. I know the affair played a large part in how this history came to be, but I would have appreciated more emphasis on the history and what was happening during this time period, and maybe looking in to the "side" characters more.
I listened to the audiobook thanks to the Libro.fm Librarian ALC program and Penguin Audio, and I thought the narration was wonderful.
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as The Personal Librarian, mostly due to the off-putting nature of the affair, but still found it to be an engrossing history lesson that has prompted me to look into the Harlem Renaissance more deeply.
Harlem Rhapsody is a journey through the Harlem Renaissance—spotlighting none other than Jessie Fauset, often hailed as the midwife of Black literary brilliance. This book doesn’t just celebrate how she nurtured icons like Langston Hughes and Courtnee—it also dishes out some behind-the-scenes drama, including the fascinating love triangle between Fauset and W.E.B. Du Bois.
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