How have I never heard of Jessie Redmon Fauset? I am so appreciative to writers such as Victoria Christopher Murray who are consciously choosing to tell the untold stories of women who have made a mark on history. This is the extraordinary story of the woman who helped ignite the Harlem Renaissance. She found the voices and storytellers of this time, names you probably do recognize such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Claude McKay. Jessie herself was a prolific writer in her own right who was the literary editor for The Crisis, a magazine founded by W.E.B. Du Bois. This historical fiction provides a fascinating look into the early 1920s when Black theater, art, and music were flourishing. Known as the “midwife of the Harlem Renaissance”, Jessie’s story is getting the attention it deserves.

This was such a fascinating look at such an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance movement who has mostly been lost to history.

Jessie Redmon Fauset, who was called the “midwife” of the movement that helped bring to light famous writers such as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen, was also the editor of The Crisis if not in name, than in actuality. The literary magazine, founded by WEB DuBois, was Jessie’s passion, as well as WEB DuBois himself, with whom she had a long affair, despite his marriage and him being fourteen years her senior.

This book focuses on a few years of her life, her work at the magazine and on her writing, relationship with WEB, and her hopes and dreams to further her career. It was intriguing to see how intertwined her life was with other writers whose names I recognized, and disheartening that her accomplishments have mostly been forgotten.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction focusing on the early 20th century, specifically the Harlem Renaissance.

Historical fiction about the life of Jessie Redmon Fauset who was the first African American woman to edit The Crisis, and NAACP publication. She was integral to the Harlem Renaissance and was a poet and author herself, writing books about educated black individuals which were unbelievable at the times. I learned a lot about the 1920s and W.E.B. DuBois that I never knew. Good historical fiction but longer than I wanted.

I loved it! If DRAMA, jazz, and scandal had a love child lol Harlem Rhapsody would be it lol! The scene is set in the Harlem Renaissance, this novel is packed with enough betrayal, ambition, and forbidden romance to keep your tea cup full. Victoria Christopher Murray serves up a deliciously messy story featuring the legendary Ethel Waters—who is equal parts fierce, flawed, and fabulous.

It’s got all the makings of a binge-worthy read: high stakes, bold women, and men who seriously need to get it together. If you love historical fiction with spice, sass, and a touch of side-eye, this one’s for you!

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray tells the story of the first black female literary editor. Working for W.E.B. DuBois, Jesse Redmon Fauset joins The Crisis, in 1919. In this historical fiction novel, set during the Harlem Renaissance, we learn about how Jesse discovered prominent young African American writers such as Langston Hughes and Nella Larson.

I definitely would have loved this book more if they spent more time on her career and influence on the Harlem Renaissance artists and movement as a whole, and less on her affair with DuBois. Recently, I have read historical fiction and biographies about women’s roles that have been muted in history, and this book will not disappoint readers in that regard. I am confident that this book will inspire you to learn more about Jesse and the Harlem Renaissance.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Print Pub Date: Feb 4 2025

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Harlem Rhapsody is one of those books that just pulls you in through this extraordinary feeling like you are experiencing something special. There is such an extraordinary cast of characters and they are all brought to life in such complex and beautiful ways that you cannot help but feel compelled by them, even as you are repeatedly tested by the choices they make. I definitely did not know the full extent of the life and work of Jessie Redmon Fauset and the numerous extraordinary authors that she supported as an editor and a mentor. It felt like such a surreal feeling in the book to be repeatedly introduced to extraordinary authors like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston while their careers were burgeoning. This book in many ways is a celebration but also a reflection of the extremely difficult choices that particularly Black women have to make in their lives: choosing between a career and respectability, having your work be claimed by the louder male counterparts around you, and repeatedly putting the goals and aspirations of the movement and other people ahead of ones' own.

I cannot recommend this book enough, I read it so quickly and would definitely go back to read it again.

I loved that this book introduced me to a history I didn't know much about. I have read a bit about the Harlem Renaissance, but somehow, I'd never heard of Jessie Redmon Fauset. So, I was excited to read about her. It is wild that I'd never heard of her before now because she influenced so many famous writers—Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Nella Larsen! Without Jessie Redmon Fauset, there would be no Harlem Renaissance!

This story was well-researched, and I feel like I learned a lot. I've added a bunch of books to my tbr as well.

Now, the downside is that the pacing of this book is slow. It took me weeks to read it. It wasn't dull, but it also wasn't necessarily holding my interest. Also, a considerable part of the plot of this novel is about Fauset's affair with W.E.B. Du Bois - a married man. I don't like reading about adultery - it's something that will often ruin a book for me. So, while it is historical and needed to be included, I wish it wasn't such a big part of the story.

I definitely recommend this book. It will work well for many people. If you enjoy reading about lesser-known histories and women who have often been overlooked historically, this is worth picking up!

Captivating. That's the best word to describe the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset. I was drawn in from beginning to end as Victoria Christopher Murray did not disappoint in telling this story in a way only she could. The writing brings to life the ups and downs of Fauset's journey to achieve her goals.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

What a powerful read. Full of beautiful descriptive language and strong characters. Jessie was ambitious, clever, and yet naive.

Final rating 4.5.
I really enjoyed this exploration of the life and work of Jessie. Her commitment to challenging the norms at the time in publishing as it pertains to Black people and especially Black women is something to be honored and applauded. I like that Victoria didn't try to make Jessie or by extension WEB Dubois perfect but instead wrote honest, balanced, and real depictions of who they were and even what their relationship was and how they had to navigate that.

My only complaint would be that at times, especially early on the focus on the relationship between WEB DuBois felt like it was taking up too much of the book but that balanced out about half way through.

Additionally, the themes explored throughout the book of sexism, misogyny, misogynoir, and elitism were well done and felt timely given everything going on in America right now. I thought the book did a great job of subtly highlighting the importance of art with a message. And even playing on the usually negative connotation of propaganda. Typically propaganda is seen as a bad thing, especially today but this story highlighted how WEB DuBois, Jesse, and other prominent figures during the Harlem Renaissance era believed that positive propaganda about Black Americans, who we are, what we value, what we're capable of, etc. could help in the fight against our oppression.

The Harlem Renaissance era is an endless well of information, art, and messaging and this book did a great job at highlighting/celebrating the life of one of its contributors/architects.

A Black History Lesson + Women’s Empowerment + Some Tea

This story had me shook from the first sentence. Ms. Jessie Redmon Fauset’s journey through Harlem Rhapsody was dynamic and inspiring. As a Black female writer, this story encompassed the feelings and influences of writing. The way Victoria Christopher Murray was able to weave a story that teaches while also entertains is something to be regarded.

The metaphor between Ms. Fauset’s writing and her relationship with Dr. W.E.B Du Bois was ever present. There was such a tug-of-war for Jessie between writing her own story and her job, which was highlighted by her relationship with Dr. Du Bois, her boss and lover. The power dynamic alone, from the age gap to her subordinate role, created serious tension for Jessie in all aspects of her life.

While I had some trouble with pacing in the book, the plot was riveting. This story is one that needed to be told. The Harlem Renaissance is one of the brightest and boldest times in Black history. Ms. Fauset was also bright and bold, and that was highlighted wonderfully throughout this story.

I enjoyed all of the references to Harlem Renaissance writers sprinkled throughout this novel. Learning Jessie’s story and the role she played in starting the Harlem Renaissance movement was entertaining and informative.

Fans of historical fiction and the Harlem Renaissance will love this story of a career driven Black woman, who mentored so many of our beloved, legendary Black writers.

Harlem Rhapsody features one of my favorite subgenres - literary historical fiction! I've already read and loved Victoria Christopher Murray's co-authored historical fiction novels and I was so excited to read this one! What an incredible book about a figure that I did not previously know about. This book weaves history and personal narratives together to create a world that comes alive off the page. I was so compelled by Jessie Redmon Fauset's story and I'm so thankful the author brought her to the forefront of history. Readers of books like Miss Morgan's Book Brigade and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek will love this book!

Wow, Harlem Rhapsody was so good! Okay, I see 2025 historical fiction coming out the gate crazyyyyyy 😭👏🏽. Victoria Christopher Murray really captured the pure magic of the Harlem Renaissance in a way that felt immersive and alive. Reading this felt like being a fly on the wall in the homes and offices of the figures we don’t always hear about. Like I was getting the inside scoop on Black history in real-time.

And let’s talk about the tea because whew 😮‍💨 This book really came with the drama and historical facts! There was never a dull moment fr. And I loved how seamlessly Victoria blended real history with deeply human and relatable moments. She really made these historical figures feel like real people. Jessie was such a great protagonist, and seeing her interact with Black legends I’ve only ever known from an academic lens was so fascinating.

Also, let’s be for real… I ate up the whole affair between Jessie and W.E.B. 😭 Like, that was such a bold plot point, but Victoria executed it flawlessly. The buildup, the tension, the inevitable mess? It was giving peak drama. And honestly, by the end, even as the reader, I was over the BS between Jessie and Will 😂 Like girl, pack it up.

Now that I’ve read this, I can’t wait to dive into more Black classics like the ones referenced in the book. I actually just picked up a collection of Langston Hughes' short stories, and I’m so excited to get into it!

If you love historical fiction that’s rich in both history and drama, this one is definitely worth picking up!

-Alex

This beautiful story of Jessie Redmon Fauset truly transports the reader to 1920s Harlem as the Harlem Renaissance was in full swing. While her story is largely unknown Ms Fauset was the “literary midwife” for many up and coming writers and poets, including Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. As the literary editor of The Crisis, the NAACP’s magazine, she discovered, nurtured, and worked with many writers and fostered an environment that inspired generations to come. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advance copy of this important story.

Thie wonderful novel brings Jesse Redmon Fauset to vibrant life during her tenure as literary editor of "The Crisis", an influential magazine created by W.E.B. Du Bois. "The Crisis" showcases the rising talents of Harlem's Black writers, while even while discussing issues pertinent to its African Americans readers, such as injustice and violence.

Jesse met W.E.B. some time earlier, and became involved with the man romantically. Finding himself energized by her brilliance and talent, he appointed her as literary editor of his cherished magazine.

During her time there, Jesse discovered young poets and writers, such as Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes and Nella Larsen, who would all go on to achieve their own literary careers, fame and respect for their work. She continued to work closely with Du Bois, managing the daily operations of the magazine, collaborating on literary direction for articles and stories contained within, while he spent much of his time travelling the world for speaking engagements.

Jesse also continued her affair with W.E.B., knowing full well that he was married, and was aware slowly that this complicated situation was beginning to affect how others saw her, as well as her professional relationship with Du Bois. Though I wondered at her choice to maintain the romantic side of their relationship for as long as she did, I can understand how their closeness was a source of both joy and creativity for her.

Though this is historical fiction, and there have been small alterations to actual historical moments, author Victoria Christopher Murray's portrayal of this driven and very talented woman is terrific. Jessie's contribution to Black literature through her fostering of young talent shows vision and an acute understanding of how to bring quality out of other writers. That she was also an extremely talented and prolific writer herself comes through as well: every issue of "The Crisis" contained several of her writings, whether articles or stories, and she wrote novels also. That her importance to literature was forgotten for years thanks to bigotry is sad, but I was thrilled to read this story about her.

And having read a novel by Nella Larsen, it was equally thrilling to encounter that talented writer in this novel, and someone who was also a friend to Jessie.

I thoroughly loved this book, and the portrait Murray drew of the fascinating and brilliant Jessie Redmon Faucet, a person whose name and importance to history should be praised.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to Berkley for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions of my own.

This is exactly the kind of historical fiction I want to read more of. I learned so much about an era (early 1920's Harlem Renaissance) that I did not know nearly enough about.

Jessie Redmon Fauset moved to Harlem to work as the literary editor for The Crisis, the publication of the NAACP. Her position there was impressive, as she was often the first Black woman in many spaces. In her role there, she not only published The Crisis, but also a children's magazine. And she found and fostered many of the amazing young Black authors whose work I have admired including, Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen.

As much as it is her story, it is also the story of W.E.B. DuBois, who Jessie had a long-term affair with. I struggled with some of those aspects of the book because I vehemently oppose infidelity. But I felt the story was told incredibly well, and I appreciated how the author's note talked about the choices there.

My favorite aspects of the story were so many of the discussions about important historical conversations, many of which continue to be conversations we are having now. I was especially interested in reading about who gets to tell Black stories and activism around suffrage and who was being advocated for in the fight for women's suffrage. It's appropriate that this was published during Black History Month, and it inspires me to search for more books that tell me more aspects of Black history that I have not learned enough about.

I especially recommend the audiobook here. Robin Miles is an amazing narrator, and she even sang some of the lyrics when songs were mentioned. That added another element to my understanding and appreciation of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray!

I appreciate learning about Jessie Redmona Fauset. I'd never heard of her before reading this novel. It isn’t surprising since there are so many accomplishments by Black women buried in history. I'd learned of Claude McKay, Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen as a child, as well as The Crisis magazine.

It was very interesting and illuminating to read about Du Bois's personal life. Some know his writings and his belief in the "talented tenth" but his long-time affair with Fauset was very scandalous, especially for that time. This story humanized him from a larger than life historical figure.

I am a writer and art lover so I love reading about the Harlem Renaissance. Murray does a fantastic job of immersing us in the hustle and bustle of Harlem and the feeling of creative genius of that time. I enjoyed the poetry that is included in the pages and "seeing" some of the writers up close and personal. Murray's writing is wonderful as expected; I read The Personal Librarian and enjoyed her writing there. She paints such vivid pictures of the surroundings for the reader.

My main critique is of the treatment of the burning of Black Wall Street in Tulsa Oklahoma and the burning of Rosewood; they were included in a surface way. Given that Fauset worked at The Crisis which was a political magazine, I think there would have been more attention given due to the gravity and depravity of those acts. Although she was the literary editor, I would think there'd have been an all hands on deck mentality for the staff and volunteers as well as in support of the NAACP's role. There was a little for Tulsa but it didn't circle back to John as I thought it would. These were historical events that should have been further illuminated because most people don't know about them due to being literally and figuratively buried.

Sometimes, the storytelling felt repititous but I think it is due to the personal journal format.

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒔.”

C'était incroyable! This book was beyond amazing from beginning to end. Victoria Christopher Murray did a superb job of paying homage to the Midwife of the Harlem Renaissance. It’s odd that we don’t hear Miss Jessie Redmon Fauset’s name as often as we hear a lot of the other writers from the Harlem Renaissance considering she was responsible for bringing a lot of these notable literary figures to the forefront.

I found this to be an informative yet entertaining read. I appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from telling the entirety of Miss Jessie Redmon Fauset’s story because parts of her personal life did play a role in how she navigated parts of her professional life. And while a few her personal decisions tipped the scale on my moral compass, it did not take away from the face that she was admirable woman that appeared to be way ahead of her time. Jessie Redmon Fauset was the epicenter of one of the biggest literary movements to date and her efforts from all those years ago are still at work today.

If you already love historical fiction then you’re on the right team. But if you are on the fence about reading historical fiction and you need a book recommendation to get you on the winning team, start here.