Kaplan does a great job of describing the music-- so well that you can hear it in your head. This book, set in New York City during the Jazz-age, covers a period in history chockfull of well-known men and women who had influence on the music of that time. The focus is on the affair between Kay Swift and George Gershwin but includes so many other historical notes. If you love jazz, blues, classical music, or Broadway, you will learn a bit about each presented in the way I like to learn history-- as a story. The book had a slow start for me with chunks of history being presented but then it crescendoed into a beautiful story of two people that challenged the rules and made interesting and beautiful music.

I have always loved George Gershwin's music but knew knew nothing about classical pianist composer Kay Swift and their love affair. There was a lot to learn in this novel about the music industry, the Jazz age versus classical music, the art of song writing and the stress of producing plays. A really interesting and enjoyable novel.

I. Need. More. Mitchell Kaplan has written this book specifically for me even though he has never met me. I grew up listening to Gershwin as my grandmother is a classically trained pianist. Kay is such an interesting character and I loved seeing Gershwin come to life as I have never really gotten to see him personified in any fashion. The writing was incredible and the words brought me back to a time I have only ever imagined from a movie screen. This was excellent and I truthfully need this optioned for a movie.

The eternal triangle is back. Rhapsody by Mitchell Kaplan explores the relationship between Kay Swift, James Warburg, and George Gershwin. Throughout the book we learn about their different upbringing, different religions and different outlook on life and how these factors impacted their lives. They each have their creative genius together with their demons. Putting these strong personalities together with a backdrop of the music industry, the stress of song writing, producing plays and the intense feelings each had for their profession and each other, and you have a good novel. Also, adding all the different musical personalities of the time gives one a little insight into the world of Tin Pan Alley.

I'm going to put this aside but I can't promise that I'll come back to it, because it was just so frustrating to read.

To be precise, after getting through half of the book, I realized that I just didn't care enough about Kay or her husband or George Gershwin (and I adore his music, and I really would like to read more about him) to find out what happened with them all. The book started out good, and the writing was okay, with a good cliffhanger in the prologue. But then came all the name dropping and extraneous details. I just felt that Kay and George got lost in the shuffle with all the other stuff.

Also, remember that I visualize the action in my head when I read, but if I can't get a clear picture of what's going on, then something must be amiss. For example, at one point Kay is in a towel after a bath and then in the next sentence she's out the door! I do hope she got dressed! Another example: Warberg buys Kay a country home, and they end up staying over the same night they buy it. From the description the house wasn't used in years, but somehow there's a bed with clean sheets and a stocked kitchen for breakfast the next morning? Huh?

Mind you, some of the passages where Kaplan describes playing the piano or listening to music are very good, but we still got too little of the way the people felt when they played the music or heard it, and too much about the techniques.

Obviously Kaplan did a huge amount of research, and this shows. But the magic of good historical fiction is knowing when to use that information and when to leave it aside. The magic of good biographical, historical fiction is knowing how to show the readers the emotions and motivations of these people, not just who designed their clothes, who was at their parties, and where they ate lunch.

Sorry!

This novel was right up my Tin Pan Alley, so I jumped at the opportunity to get an advance read via NetGalley. The setting is my favorite era to read about -- the 1920's and 30's -- and about one of the great artists in American history, George Gershwin. I was completely unaware of Kay Swift, whose 10-year affair with Gershwin is the basis of the novel.

Kay Swift was a socialite who also happened to be a classically trained pianist and a composer. Despite the era in which she's living, her tastes run mostly toward classical music rather than new form of music marking the era, jazz. She becomes aware of Gershwin when attending a showcase introducing his masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue. Swift is overwhelmed and almost unable to process the way that Rhapsody takes her out of her mind and body. Later, she meets Gershwin in person at a party she and her husband are throwing. After an awkward introduction, they quickly become inseparable and begin composing together, sleeping together, and traveling together, though she remains married.

It was such a magical time in our history, and the novel is peopled by such luminaries as Dorothy Parker, Jascha Heifetz, Rodgers & Hart, Fred and Adele Astair, Duke Ellington, Salvador Dali, and so many others. It's a veritable Who's Who of the Roaring Twenties. I was particularly intrigued by the history of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess and shocked that it was considered to be a flop when he first took it to Broadway. I was also supremely shocked that Gershwin died at such a young age. It is almost inconceivable that he was able to contribute so much to our musical history in such a short time.

I'm always wary when I read synopses and reviews that compare a new book to previous bestsellers. (I'm talking to you editors that compare mediocre thrillers to Gone Girl.) However, in this case, the references are spot on. If you loved The Paris Wife and/or Loving Frank, you absolutely must read Rhapsody. I would also think that musicians and students of music will love Rhapsody as it's filled with references to all sorts of music that frankly went over my head.

The only thing that disappointed me was that someone who was as supremely talented as Kay Swift would so readily let her life be taken over by a man, no matter how talented he was. I hated that she was so sangfroid about the affairs that both her husband and Gershwin had and that she even allowed Gershwin to take ownership of her name, changing it from Katherine to Kay. Nonetheless, Rhapsody is a brilliant piece of historical fiction, beautifully brought to life by author Mitchell James Kaplan. It was a delight meeting Kay Swift and learning so much about George Gershwin.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved Rhapsody (publication date April 7, 2021).

This was one of those books that is too erudite for its own good. Don’t get me wrong , I like an intelligent author and book but here the intelligence and the erudition(about music, art, history, etc...) overwhelms the story about Swift and her romance with Gershwin. It’s a shame because Kaplan can write and knows his stuff. If he concentrated more on the story and pace, this could’ve been a great book. As it is its not a bad book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"One evening in 1924, Katharine “Kay” Swift - the restless but loyal society wife of wealthy banker James Warburg and a serious pianist who longs for recognition - attends a concert. The piece: Rhapsody in Blue. The composer: a brilliant, elusive young musical genius named George Gershwin.

Kay is transfixed, helpless to resist the magnetic pull of George’s talent, charm, and swagger. Their ten-year love affair, complicated by her conflicted loyalty to her husband and the twists and turns of her own musical career, ends only with George’s death from a brain tumor at the age of thirty-eight.

Set in Jazz Age New York City, this stunning work of fiction, for fans of The Paris Wife and Loving Frank, explores the timeless bond between two brilliant, strong-willed artists. George Gershwin left behind not just a body of work unmatched in popular musical history, but a woman who loved him with all her heart, knowing all the while that he belonged not to her, but to the world."

I am ALL about Gershwin. So is the rest of my family in fact...

This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction about the lives of two extremely fascinating people, Kay Swift and George Gershwin. I am a great admirer of Gershwin so I was drawn to this story, which I didn’t know about.

Kay Swift was a gifted musician and composer. The relationship between Gershwin and Swift was really interesting, not just because of their talent, but also because of the people whose paths they crossed.

Kaplan wrote a pitch perfect (groan) about these gifted people which also serves as a portrait of the era and society in which they lived. I even loved reading the explanation of where certain licenses were taken with the timetable.

I’m humming all my favorite Gershwin wing songs now, inspired by this lovely, well written piece of historical fiction. Thank you Netgalley for this excellent read.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. This book was a fictional telling of the love affair between composers Kay Swift and the ill-fated George Gershwin. I was intrigued by the subject matter, as well as the Jazz Age era it took place in. Sadly, the story fell short for me. Kay, whose real name was Katharine Warburg, was not a likeable character. She was married to Jimmy Warburg, a wealthy man who cheated on her. The two eventually had an agreement to remain married, but live separate lives. When Kay met Gershwin, she fell in love, but he didn't treat her much better than her husband did. I found Kay to be selfish, snobbish and a very poor mother to her three daughters with Warburg. Author Kaplan didn't help by comparing their relationship to various musical themes throughout the story. I like music as much as anyone, but I don't speak the language and I found his musical references to be distracting. Kay and Gershwin wrote some beautiful music and the story of how 'Porgy and Bess' was developed was quite interesting. On the whole, however, I found the story lacking and the characters unsympathetic.

I so tried to get into this story but it just didn't hold my attention. I'm sure it's a delightful novel but just not for me.
There didn't seem any passion or emotion

An amazing look at the New York theatre, jazz and classically trained musicians, Rhapsody takes the reader back to the roaring twenties. The story revolves around the relationship of George Gersxhwin and Kay Swift (Kathryn Swift Warburg). While married to Jimmy Warburg, a banker and scion of the Warburg banking family, Kathryn meets And becomes infatuated with George Gerschwin. Their romance grows as Gersxhwin helps Kay develop her technical musical ability into a popular musical theatre range. Rhapsody is filled with a host of musical and literary figures from Duke Ellington and the Harlem jazz greats to to Dorothy Parker,, Adele and Fred Astaire and so many more. While historical fiction, Kaplan captures the spirit of the times in music, theatre and the world economy.. I knew nothing of Kay Swift’s role in this period or of her relationship with George Gerschwin. I highly recommend Rhapsody.
Thank you to #netgalley,#galleryBooks#SimonandSchauter#MitchellJamesKaplan for the arc.

...A sumptuous fictional account of a complex real-life romance, this book will stick in your head like the melody of your favorite ballad.... Full review to appear in Booklist

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC copy of the book.

I love books set in New York City during the 1920's. It is my favorite time period to read about. This book did a great job of describing the setting, times, and overall atmosphere of NY at that time. It is a historical fiction book based on two real life characters, George Gershwin and Kay Swift. It is a fascinating insight into the music and theatre business at that time. Interpresed are real time events such as the Great Depression and Prohibition.

This book was well written and I enjoyed it. My only complaint would be that I would have preferred a little more character development and interaction as opposed to the very detailed descriptions of the in and outs of the theatre world. It is evident the author is very knowledgable about music and I found myself wanting to hear the music and see the shows that were described in the book.

Highly recommend for fan's of the roaring 20's, Broadway theatre, and New York City at that time.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Historical fiction at its best. The characters come alive. It took awhile to get into it because the rhythm is a bit uneven. When one relaxes into it, it flows like a Gershwin melody. Great read. I'm sorry it is over.

This book reads much like the melody of Rhapsody in Blue. The undercurrents of the music resonant throughout the entire story. Much like the music, the energy of the writing ebbs and flows. At times it is slow and melodic, at others it is light and pulsing with life. This book provides wonderful insight into the life of two of the defining stars of jazz, George Gershwin and Kay Swift. Kaplan does a great job at resurrecting Swift, a seemingly forgotten trailblazing woman composer. The story gives the reader a remarkable look at how many layers existed in the music scene in New York and how dynamic the relationships of those within the industry were. Kaplan insinuates that the relationship of Gershwin and Swift brought both love and career fulfillment to each of them. I highly recommend listening to the music of both Gershwin and Swift while reading this book. It was enjoyable to pair the two and I believe doing so adds more depth to the readers' experience.

“Mitchell James Kaplan [brings] his impressive knowledge of history, composition, and the heart’s whims to bear on this shining rendition of Swift and Gershwin’s star-crossed love” is the way the publisher’s review starts.

As a professional musician (retired) and a soon-to-be octogenarian, let me say that this read just like what I remember from cocktail parties 40-50 years ago with people dropping names and attempting to show off their newly learned (and miniscule) knowledge of the topic at hand. This was clearly an attempt to impress the reader, ignorant of music and history, with the author’s erudition.

It could have been an enjoyable romance – and possibly is to those not steeped in a life of music. This book was definitely not written for those who would like to flesh out their knowledge of that period in both jazz and NY life.

This ARC was provided for me by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the gift and wish that my review could be better.

RHAPSODY was just a magnificent read! Yes, it is about Kay Swift and George Gershwin and how they found each other, but it is much more. It is a brilliant exploration of the time between World Wars and the place of creative women during a time when the most that was expected of them was marriage and motherhood. Kaplan is exceptional at creating a sense of place. I really felt I was living in the novel as I read it.

It's the roaring twenties, the jazz era, Broadway shows were alive and glistening, new musicians and composers were turning out concertos and popular music. Show tunes were being written by the likes of Rodgers and Hart as well as others and above all George Gershwin. However, before that we find Katherine "Kay" Swift a graduate from The Institute of Musical Art, a student of classical music.

It's 1917 and Kay is part of the Edith Rubel Trio that played music at society parties and soirees. It was at one of these parties that she met her husband James "Jimmy" Warburg, a son of a wealthy banker, Paul Warburg who created the Federal Reserve. Kay's background was totally different from Jimmy's...living with her widowed mother theirs was a background of "gentle" poverty, while Kay was Christian and Jimmy was Jewish. But no matter in 1918 they wed, despite Jimmy's father opposing the marriage.

Flash forward to 1925; Kay now knows of her husband's infidelities and as yet she has not made a name for herself in the world of classical music. As a couple they are surrounded with those who were famous at that time. At parties given at their home many leading artists could be found at their dinner table...Fred Astaire and his sister Adele, George Kaufman among others. It was at this point in time she first heard Gershwin play at his Rhapsody in Blues concert. Trying to recreate what she heard at her own piano at home, she was disturbed to find it was different from anything she learned as a classical pianist. She was fascinated. With Kay's less than maternal abilities and the knowledge of her husband's affairs, it was easy for her to find an escape from her marriage. Enter George Gershwin!

Gershwin is a musical genius. He eats, lives, dreams and writes music. He hears what no one else hears in the beat of humanity. With music as his only real love, his affairs are of a casual nature. At the risk of leaving her married life behind, Kay not only becomes enraptured with Gershwin, but wraps her life around him. Together they form a partnership where she could showcase her talent and "celebrate" an affair with this musical talent.

In April 1929 a song composed by Kay with lyrics written by her husband becomes a hit and she is truly acknowledged! In October of 1929 both Kay and Jimmy write a Broadway musical called "Fine and Dandy" Kay finally proved herself, leaving her first love, classical music behind.

You would think that Kaplan was a "fly on the wall" his writing is absolutely incredible! His descriptions of the famous supporting members of this novel were "phenomenal." There are so many words I could use to describe how I felt reading this book...I inhaled it, I absorbed it...amazing! Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

Beautiful prose, a compelling storyline, and wonderful descriptions of music - I could tell that the author either had musical experience/training or did an extraordinary amount of research. Since I’m a classical musician and that is what drew me to this book, I loved its accuracy. Beautifully evocative, if at times a bit slow or awkward - highly recommended.