A masterful historical novel where Kaplan used his remarkable skill at imagining the daily lives of Kay Swift and George Gershwin. The main characters were musical geniuses who motivated each other and spoke a unique language.
They correctly respected and encouraged each other and no one else filled that role in each other's lives. Some readers have criticized them for being solely focused on themselves and perhaps Kay should have devoted more of herself to her daughters, but she attempted to live and succeed in a world especially available to her.
I loved the inclusion of so many of their contemporaries and Kaplan presents the reader with a factual gift of the New York era of the 1930s. I felt that I truly visited there and accompanied George and Kay in their escapades. I don't know if RHAPSODY will appeal to a very wide audience, but it seemed to be created for my tastes. My only complaint is that Kay and George didn't share a long happy life together.

Some mixed feelings about Rhapsody, which boasts some interesting historical information but centers on a tedious affair between George Gershwin and Kay Swift.

If you like music history, there’s a lot in this book that will interest you. It’s a fairly immersive portrait of the social and political climate of the era as well, and Kaplan writes smoothly and evocatively.

Kay Swift is an interesting figure and I wish that the book had been more about her professional accomplishments than her affair. Granted, the two are in many ways intertwined, but it’s always disappointing to see the romantic entanglements of a pioneering and talented woman take center stage in her narrative instead of her body of work.

Kaplan does spend a good deal of time on both, but the details of the affair (which, to me, out to be secondary and treated as accompanying material to the story of Kay’s (and Gershwin’s) musical contributions) are both overused and overwritten.

I’ve seen this book compared to The Paris Wife and while I’m sure that was the intent, it’s not the reality of the final product.

Audiobook readers: This story translates well to the format and the pacing also works for it. I did like the narrator for the most part, though I found myself wincing when she sang.

This is a wonderful story for anyone who loves historical fiction and music. The story was entertaining as it wove though the history of Kay Swift. I think the narrator really added a shine to the book. She was able to keep up with the multiple uses of different languages, while it not sounding off. I also, checked some of the dates/situations that were in the book and for the most part they line up. In the Author's note it refers to where certain liberties for the sake of a good story were used. There is minimal curse words, but there are several adult situations mentioned. I would rate this book for a mature audience. Overall, I learned a lot about Kay Swift that I didn't previously know. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves music and musicals. Those who don't would like this book as well

I have listened to George Gershwin’s music for quite some time but all that I really knew about him was that he had a brother named Ira. I now have a much deeper understanding of him and of his relationship with Katherine “Kay” Swift. Their relationship is brought to glowing life in this fine historical novel.

Spend time in jazz age New York with George and Kay. Each was a genuine musical talent and individual in their own right. Readers will be interested to watch their relationship evolve. What led Kay to George, despite her being married? How did their relationship unfurl?

Fans of historical fiction and of music will enjoy this novel. Give it a read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Note that I both listened to and read this book. The narration enhance my enjoyment of the novel.