Victoria Christopher Murray did an amazing job of telling the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the midwife of the Harlem Renaissance. Jessie was a woman ahead of her time-her ambition to write her own novel, become editor of The Crisis, all while mentoring up and coming writers, was unheard of during her time. The detailed research that went into writing this book made me look up the Harlem Renaissance authors mentioned as well as the events that were mentioned. This book should be a part of everyone’s collection, especially if you’re interested in the Harlem Renaissance.

Ooh what a book ! everytime I read historical fiction I want to pigs up more historical fiction ! This was a story I never knew about. This book was MESSY ! Jessie was having relations with a married man and the fact that she didn’t care had me turning every page. I loved learning about the history behind the Harlem Renaissance and recognizing the writers we know of today. My only issue was the short chapters which made the book drag a bit but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This was a great book and I love Victoria Christopher Murray’s writing and the pieces of history that she brings to life. Much in the style of her often-cowriter, Marie Benedict, Murray found a woman in history who’s story has been washed away by time and brings her to life - Jessie Redmond Faucett who was an important member of the Harlem Renaissance literature movement. I feel like I learned so much about the time period, and it was brought to my attention how little I knew. That being said, it was so incredibly hard to get past the affair between Jessie and WEB Du Bois that seemed to overtake the storyline. For a smart lady, Jessie is so, so stupid! And there wasn’t quite enough empathy built for her character, for her ongoing affair with a married man, and very well known philanderer to not rub me the wrong way. This is obviously based on a real situation, but I think it could have been written differently to not take up so much of the storyline.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

While Jessie was undoubtedly a remarkable woman, bringing her incredible literary insight to the Harlem Renaissance, her portrayal in this book was not particularly likable (same with W.E.B DuBois). That being said, this was a fascinating look at The Crisis and at the woman behind it. As with so much history, it is white washed as well as male washed, thus I had heard nothing of Jessie Redmon Fauset despite having heard significantly of W.E.B. DuBois - despite the fact that she very much was the driving force behind the publication and the litany of writers who became successful following their publication in The Crisis.

Overall, a very fascinating history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC of this title.

Harlem Rhapsody
By Victoria Christopher Murray
Published February, 2025

A profound telling of the Harlem Renaissance, this historical fiction is a fascinating untold story. So much so that it’s already been picked up to be a Hollywood film!

It’s a love story and also a kind of detective story because we are learning about Jessie Redmon Fauset, the real-life female editor of W.E.B. Du Bois’ The Crisis magazine, and the editor and co-author of the children’s magazine, The Brownies’ Book, while also an author in her own right, and as the beloved and widely recognized “midwife” of the Harlem Renaissance writers.
So why has Ms. Faucet been under wraps for so long? The answer and the discovery is why this novel grabs you.

It’s 1919 and Harlem has become the center of the “New Negro” pride and culture. Music, poetry, painting, fashion, theater, and civil rights are elevating the community and leading the country.
Jessie moves to Harlem with Bella, her white step mother, to a home provided to them by W.E.B Du Bois, the founder and editor of The Crisis, who was a prominent scholar, international activist, writer, the first negro to earn a PhD from Harvard, and co founder of the NAACP. He was a friend of Jessie’s father and he and Jessie had been having an affair for five years before he moved her closer to him in Harlem.
That Murray shares the nuanced truth about Jessie and W.E.B.’s love affair is a risk she takes with care, respect, and truth. Many knew of the affair but because of W.E.B’s position as the leader of the Negros, no one wanted to besmirch him. The romance was lovingly written and it shows Jessie’s conflict. And it parallels her novel, There is Confusion. Even W.E.B asks her if the book is semi autobiographical.

Jessie is beholden to Will (W.E.B.) for giving her such an incredible opportunity but he is a married man and neither her stepmother nor her heart want this to continue. The story line is about her romantic conflict and her extraordinary rise to the top of the Harlem arts’ Renaissance, along with her drive to pursue her own career ~ to become the editor of The Crisis and to write her novel about middle class negros (a notion that was shocking at the time!). Throughout her literary career, Jessie’s story lines were also related to "passing" and feminism.

There is no doubt that Jessie is an extraordinary woman. Billed as the first negro woman to earn a PhD and Phi Beta Kappa, an honorary Delta Sigma Theta member and la Sorbonne and Cornell graduate, she oozes talent and compassion and an unerring drive to elevate the Negros’ cultural status at this time, much in the same way that Will does.
Yet, she has the added burden of being a woman.
Kinda’ like Ginger dancing backwards.
I love historical fiction for so many reasons and Harlem Rhapsody is perhaps one of the best examples of why that is so. Because Murray’s impeccable research is anchored in history, she points us to so many real life figures we are either introduced to or can deep-dive into these iconic characters, including Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Nella Larson, Georgia Douglas, and Jean Toomer.

I fell in love with Jessie as much if not more than Will. Her dignified response to life’s challenges, her persistent and pragmatic striving to be better ~ to pursue noteworthy goals for herself and those she nurtured as midwife to Harlem’s literary elites is so very inspiring.
I highly recommend this book.

That said, I am of two minds about Murray’s end-of-book Afterword details. Why? Because I found her explanations so compelling. For example, how she first learned about Jessie from a podcast, her research and challenging decision to include W.E.B’s misogynistic tendencies and proclivity towards adulterous character traits. After all, no one wants to be that author that can be accused of spoiling a historical great and negro icon. But she points out that everyone, even the greats, have their flaws that meld with their virtues ~ that that’s what makes them extraordinary.
For some, these explanations might get in the way of the story line and I get that. But for me, I feel it would enhance the veracity and verisimilitude of the historical discoveries to have it as the Foreword. And further, a foundation and prelude to the excitement of what is to come in the novel.

If I had another wish, it is that the story would have moved along at a brisker pace. While the writing is beautiful, respectful, and the characters are fully explored; I found myself feeling like “Did I just read that?” I loved the details of their affair. It’s a well-lived life and very much a part of not only their interpersonal dynamics but also of the times and the path to the “New Negro” experience. The push and pull of romantic tension ~ does he or doesn’t he love her? What about his other affairs? ~ Breaking up/Getting back together. Guilt of an affair and being enough of a feminist to handle it. Those are things we all can experience in romance. But here, after a while, It seemed that the relationship dynamics caused repetitiveness. I understand Murray was gifted a jewel ~ lightning in a bottle ~ and she didn’t want to crimp it’s style but I felt “I get it.” Like Jessie, I was over the put-downs, the buried misogyny and the patrimony that “this wasn’t going to work” drama.
And in the end, when Jessie makes her life journey decision with regard to her relationship to Will ~ it only reinforced my thought that the plot element could have collapsed somewhat of that element without sacrificing the rich, spellbinding narrative.

Murray’s elegant descriptions of the nightclubs, hair salons, dinner parties, and more of the Harlem Renaissance is enchanting. It carries you to another world and place while you, the reader, are subtly “learning” about a time that was / is overlooked/was erased.

Jessie inspires us with her power; with her pragmatic yet compassionate dedication to progressive civil and women’s rights while battling all the prejudices. Her frisson of love vs. career still carries gravitas today.
Jessie is a joyful, powerful role model and this story is a terrific, enlightening, entertaining read.
A delightful plus is that I found Courtesy is one of the novel’s more potent characters that I haven’t yet seen noted in any review. The overwhelming takeaway is how extraordinarily polite everyone is! Brava, Victoria! I was fascinated by the language of courtesy and manners that held sway in this society.
Such a pleasant alternative to today’s use of “No problem” for goodbye or you’re welcome. Or “Hey” for: good morning, good afternoon, or good evening…

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an ARC for Harlem Rhapsody. And Penguin Random House.

I can’t wait for the movie.

Harlem Rhapsody by : Victoria Christopher Murray
Publication: 02/04/2025
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book is about a women named Jessie’s faucet an how she navigates her life as a writer & editor for a man also known as w.e.b dubious. They end up in relations together. This book was beautiful. It made me cry it didn’t go how i thought would. The plot as good and had quite a few twist that I didn’t see coming. I’m glad it was a lot of character development on Jessie’s side of the story. W.e.b stayed true to his self which is frustrating but understandable. Without saying too much this book is my first historical fiction and it was great. I loved reading about our history and some of the people i learned about like Langston Hughes. I wanted title more at the end of the story but I’m still okay with how it needed. Everyone should read this book and get in-site to her story. I too never Hurd of her but I definitely knew who w.e.b dub was. I would definitely recommend this book to read it was faced paced it was clear and no parts was boring or slow.

#HarlemRhapsody #netgalley #historicalfiction #arcreviewer #arc #bookish #review

Before diving into this book, I wasn't familiar with the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, but her dedication and impact on black literature are nothing short of inspiring. The vivid details of the story really brought the 1920s to life, and the narrative provided insights into other key figures in the black literary world.
What stood out most to me was the dedication and hard work of both Jessie and W.E.B. Du Bois in giving a voice to writers and poets within their community. Despite their personal challenges, they worked tirelessly for the greater good of the literary world. I also loved seeing how Jessie supported emerging writers like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen, offering them guidance and encouragement.
Overall, the story started strong and ended beautifully. The conclusion provided a heartfelt farewell that tied everything together. This story deserves to be in the hands of every reader who loves black literature and honors the figures who made it possible. I highly recommend this novel.

Victoria C. Murray, now you have given us some "tea" for the 2020s. I know during the 1920s everybody and they mama knew about this affair between Jessie Redmon Fauset and W.E.B. DuBois, but I had no idea until reading this book. My eyes are very cross and pointy in DuBois' direction because I cannot believe he would be that type of man. I guess he's a genius but still a man.

I was also very elated to know that Fauset was the so called mother of birthing the Harlem Renaissance. I was so intrigued with how she mingled, encouraged, and mentored some of the finest writers and poets of our generation in the early 20s. Her touch in Black American history is one to envy and to herald above others because she called in for the world to see the beautiful lives and read the words created for and by Black people.

I also was rooting for Jessie to leave Will and to fight for more power and status by your own merit and not at the hand of the man who she was having an affair with. Just like I look down on WEB for this indiscretion, I do the same with Jessie. But, at the end of the day, I do recognize that both people were "in love" and love can make us do crazy and extraordinary things.

Murray not only brought the tea, but she brought some pastries and mints for us to finish the novel and enjoy it with enthusiasm and new information. I throughly enjoyed all the literary conversations with Nella Larsen and Claude McKay (as well as others). Fauset was "that girl" and really ran the Crisis magazine if we are being honest.

If you have historical fiction and a good researched book, then you better pick this one up PRONTO.

I always appreciate a historical fiction novel based on a real historical figure. Learning about the incredible woman that Jessie Redmon Fauset was and her contribution to some of the most prolific writers we know of today, made for such an insightful read!
I appreciated the author’s care and research that went into this story. As I learned through her author’s note, much of this stays true to historical facts and the pieces she had to factionalize, I thought she did so perfectly as to deliver an accurate account of Jessie’s accomplishments while being sensitive to how she represented her affair with W.E.B. Du Bois.

Jessie Redmon Fauset is an inspiration. Her contributions as a literary editor for NAAPCP’s magazine, The Crisis, oftentimes mentoring the young writers that went on to become memorable literary figures, was extraordinary. She wrote her own poetry and novels, and was fearless in both her career and personal life. She was a real icon of the Harlem Renaissance and I’m glad we have this book to shine a light on her. This is one of those books that leave a powerful impression and I can think of no better read than this to kick off Women’s History month! I also loved The Personal Librarian by this author and look forward to reading anything she writes in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley Berkley Pub for this early copy!

Jessie Redmon Fauset is an absolutely fascinating writer and editor who is someone I didn't learn about in school, and honestly, I'm not sure I learned much about the Harlem Renaissance in school in general. Which is to say, Harlem Rhapsody is set during the Harlem Renaissance and is about Jessie Redmon Fauset who became the literary editor of The Crisis, a magazine associated with the NAACP and Dr. W.E.B. DuBois. Throughout this novel, we see Jessie having an affair with Will and feeling bad about and unable to resist him. We (meaning me and her mom) have a lot of thoughts about said relationship, but Jessie does what she wants and I had to keep reminding myself that this book is a historical fiction and not a romance. Anyway, throughout the course of this book we meet Nella Larsen (author of Passing!!), Langston Hughes, and so many other famous Black writers who became well known during the Harlem Renaissance. The book spans years of time covering Jessie's role at The Crisis in almost vignette style chapters checking in on what's going on during particular dates.

Overall, my thoughts about this book are complicated. I didn't enjoy my reading experience because I am, to my core, a romance reader and knowing I wasn't going to get an HEA didn't stop me from wanting one. I also felt like where the book left off was anticlimactic. It just sort of ended with a fizzle instead of a bang? Also, like reading The King's Messenger, I found myself aghast that these leaders who are so esteemed could be so cavalier about other people's feelings. I don't know why because, honestly, that just seems like it tracks. But like, could you consider practicing ethical non-monogamy, Dr. DuBois?? And yet, I really loved the time period. I loved everything about the writing bits. (Like Jessie's writing and her editing of other people.) I loved seeing her ambition on page. I liked meeting these writers from history on the pages of this book. So, basically, what I'm saying is, if you can turn off the part of your brain that wants to have a couple to cheer for, you may have much better luck with this book than I did, because it's a good book!! It's just probably not a book I should have picked up with my inability to turn off the part of me that is always searching for a romance to cheer for. Oops. But that said, I definitely don't regret my time with Harlem Rhapsody because it was really well done! Also the Author's Note about the history and all the research she did was fascinating. I learned so much just from that.

As for the narrator, I think this book is just fine on audio, but I wouldn't say it particularly adds to the experience. But it doesn't detract and that might be what matters the most.

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.