I give the book a 3.5. Unfortunately, the relationship between Jessie and W.E.B. DuBois dampened how the story could have been prolific. The rich history of Harlem and The Crisis make this book five stars. I liked Jessie's relationship with Maman.

Victoria Christopher Murray told an important story that should enshrined in American history. This is her best writing yet.

Harlem Rhapsody delves into the historical significance of the Harlem Renaissance as black voices are heard through the arts. However, as in our real lives deception occurs and erases the joy of accomplishments and the sting of betrayal rules. This novel certainly enlightens the reader of past efforts and successes of black leaders.

I wanted to like this book because I was hoping for some substance. It seemed more like a love story that we all know the end to which made the book disappointing.
I liked reading about the history of Harlem and the people who were instrumental in the culture.

This was a fun read in the fact that it had so many famous characters. Slowed a bit during the read but overall well written and I enjoyed the story. Will look for more from author!

harlem rhapsody allows you to think of nyc in a different time, the prose, the character development, the pacing - was so elegant. i had a great time reading, i think the only thing that didn’t really work for me was the romance. i do love romance. but for some reason i wasn’t feeling it. this is my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last !

I enjoyed the Personal Librarian, so I was looking forward to this historical fiction novel. I like the combination of reading and learning something at the same time. Growing up in Europe, I didn’t know anything about Jessie Redmon Fauset and her role in the Harlem Renaissance. Jessie became the literary editor of the black magazine, Crisis and the magazine thrived under her leadership. Her boss Dr. Du Bois was a prominent black person at the times and Jessie and Will are also lovers. I agree with some other reviewers that the affair takes away from the book’s historical significance. Notice I am not using the word Negro which how blacks were called at the time, it is just so against my grain. Overall an interesting book,, three stars.
I received a complimentary copy, opinions are my own.

Harlem Rhapsody
Jessie Fauset had become friendly with WEB DuBois as a teen and eventually became his mistress. She was the first black woman to get her a degree from Cornell and was inducted into Phi Beta Kapa there. DuBois recognized her talent as a writer and in 2019, invited her to live in Harlem and edit the literary selections in his magazine, the Crisis. The Crisis was officially the magazine of the NAACP but as editor, DuBois controlled the content.
The affair lasted for several years. Although married, DuBois was seen all over NYC with Jessie at his side. They even traveled to Europe for the Pan Africa Conference. Jessie was an excellent editor and encouraged several young black authors like Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes to write for the magazine.
As the Harlem Renaissance developed, Jessie was a major influence in the literary world by providing a place for black writers to showcase their work. She herself published many articles in the Crisis. She even wrote a book, There Must Be Confusion, which was well received.
Then in 1926 she left the magazine and DuBois. She had hoped to be appointed editor but realized that even though DuBois traveled extensively and had less to do with the running of the magazine, he would not give up the position. Jessie was well known in literary circles but she soon learned that no publisher would hire a black woman to work as an editor. So she returned to teaching, her first career, and eventually married another man.
I enjoyed learning about someone who history had left behind. It is almost as if her position as DuBois’ lover, made people forget that she had been so instrumental in promoting talented young black poets and writers.
I enjoyed the book but wished that the author gave a better picture of the social atmosphere in Harlem in the 1920s. Books about Zora Neale Hurston and Margery Keenan Rawlings do a better job of showing the reader how vibrant that section of NYC had been in that era.
I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this 3.75 stars on Storygraph.

This one is a little difficult for me because I read it SO quickly (one day! Which is very unlike me) so it was clearly engaging and and easy/digestible read. And I was engrossed with learning about Jessie's accomplishments and her influence and meeting all of these majorly influential writers of this time and seeing how Jessie helped to nurture their creativity and their careers... however... while I understand that the affair was a big part of Jessie's life and was weaved into her professional life as well... I don't think it needed to be THE point of the book.

This read like the story of a woman grappling with her complicated love life, with a side story of her historical importance. I wish it had been flip-flopped. I think if the affair had been mostly all off-page or just less frequently mentioned, I would have enjoyed the story more.

Especially because from the author's note & historical note, it seems like all of the internal thoughts & details about the relationship were fabricated. We don't actually know if Jessie was this obsessive about thinking about the relationship or not. And honestly at times it felt like I was reading from the POV of a 22 year old, rather than a woman in her late 30s/early 40s. Being AGHAST to find out that your married lover has other lovers... after he point blank tells you that he cannot be tied down to one woman and has many many desires???

I understand that the affair was obviously an integral part of her journey in life and was deeply tied in with her professional life, so I'm not saying I think it should have been erased. Humans are complicated and complex and that's fascinating to explore. But I don't think it needed to be the POINT of this story.

All that being said, once again, I ate this book up and would recommend it for historical fiction lovers.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. The future for this story is so bright, it needs to make its debut wearing sunglasses! Victoria Christopher Murray gives us an historical panorama of one of the most outstanding periods in the history of African Americans. Ms Murray captures the essence of the Harlem Renaissance (1920-1930) through a love story of two of the major players of the time.
The story is centered in Harlem, New York, which is more than just the setting of the story, but a side character. You will become engaged with the movement, the writers, the musicians, artists and intellectuals that challenged the racial stereotypes of the time. Without a doubt, I’m sure you will recognize the characters, major & minor.. The story’s romance centers around two well- known names of this time period: : W.E.B.DuBois and Jessie Redmond Fauset. I’ll allow you to discover how Ms.Murray deftly weaves their romance into this outstanding Historical-Fiction story.
You are in for more than a treat; it’s an experience!
Well done, Victory Christopher Murray, Well done!

First, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was SO excited to read this and then so disappointed in the book itself. I'm a retired high school English teacher who taught American Lit. for many years, and lived for finally getting to the Harlem Rennaissance to read Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Zora Neale Hurston, Claude McKay... so many wonderful writers! So when I saw the description of this book, I was thrilled to learn the story of the women who discovered, encouraged, and published many of them for the first time. I may have expected too much. My disappointment was profound. Instead of meeting these giants and seeing them develop, I got (mostly) the story of her affair with W.E.B. DuBois, another giant of the times.

Yes, I can see how that affair was an important part of the story, but it seemed like there was too much focus on their clandestine meetings, her mother's (and pretty much everyone else's )disapproval of the affair, and Jessie's own ambivalence about her feelings.

The book redeemed itself a bit near the end, but I'm longing for someone to take on this story and tell it from a more literary appraoch.

My other complaint is that while it focused on an affair, the writing felt more like a YA novel than one written for adults. And, no, I am not longing for more detailed sex scenes. I'm talking about a more mature writing style.

I am grateful to have been introduced to Jessie Redmona Fauset, and her works. I'm already on the hunt for her novels. The book also prompted me to find The Crisis online--every single edition is available! The covers alone are worth a look, and you can read pieces that are merely referenced in the book. That was another frustration--Murray says Jessie sits down to write something for the magazine, but we either get a tiny taste of the piece, or nothing at all. Were there copyright issues? I'd have loved to have read more of her actual works in the book. Also missing was a list of her research sources, although some are mentioned in the afterword.

Had I not been so excited and anxious to learn more of the time and the writers I love, I might have enjoyed this book more.

Harlem Rhapsody is a vibrant and engaging novel that captures the essence of 1920s Harlem through its rich characters and intricate storytelling. Victoria Christopher Murray does a fantastic job of immersing readers in the era’s cultural and social atmosphere, weaving historical elements with the personal dramas of her characters. The book explores themes of love, ambition, and identity, and while the pacing is occasionally slow, strong character development makes up for it. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate Murray's authenticity and depth in this story. The novel is a captivating portrayal of a pivotal time in Black history. While it didn’t completely blow me away, it’s a delightful read that I would recommend to others.

I didn’t want to put this book down. Prior to reading Harlem Rhapsody I had never heard of Jessie Redmon Fauset. By the end of the book I felt like I knew her personally. This story was so entertaining. I also learned a lot of history. The author’s writing is impeccable. As always I’m looking forward to more of her written work.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I was enticed to read this book because I so loved "The Personal Librarian" which the author co-wrote. Although, as in her previous book, I was introduced to a woman I did not know about who had a monumental influence on writers I did recognize from the Harlem Renaissance. A lot of the book involved her relationship with W.E.B. DuBois which allowed her to accept a job as editor at his magazine. The chapters were usually short, the writing was good, but I often just let the book sit. I don't usually do that to any book especially one in which I was learning about a fascinating character.
I do want to read Jessie Redmon Fauset's work as well as works of the writers mentioned throughout this book.
Not bad - just not great (for me).

I really enjoyed Harlem Rhapsody. Like the author, while I had heard of many of the men featured in the story (namely W.E.B. Dubois), I had no knowledge of Jess Fauset prior to reading this novel. I loved reading about this trailblazing, Black writer and editor amidst the backdrop of 1920s Harlem.

Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There is nothing like reading a good book. A book that captures your attention and never lets you go. A book that once you get started you never want it to end because it keeps you wanting more. This was one of those types of books for me.

I enjoyed this story but I wish it had been a bit more centered on the times and a bit less on the affair of W.E.B and Jessie. I felt like the romance was the main plot and I had hoped to learn even more about period of time that they lived and worked. Overall though it is a solid story and I will definitely read this writer again

Thank you to NetGalley for an early reverse in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you enjoy strong female characters, a rich Roaring Twenties backdrop emphasizing the Harlem Renaissance, and literary history, this book is for you.
Jessie Redmon Fauset is an African American writer who becomes the literary editor of The Crisis, an NAACP magazine led by W. E. B. Dubois. Jessie discovers and publishes such names as Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes, deftly navigates the ultra-fine line between cultivating the literary gems of The Crisis and functioning as W. E. B.’s lover, and she immerses herself in the higher social circles of the times. The struggle between her conscience, her desires, and her career are almost always at odds with one another as she painstakingly paves the way for other African American people to share their talents with the world.

I found this book to be a propulsive read for me. The author was very descriptive in her character portrayal, and I could feel the vibrant, colorful, jazz atmosphere of the time. I highly recommend it.

Harlem Rhapsody is a profound exploration of Jessie Redmon Fauset’s journey, capturing her literary brilliance alongside the complex interplay of ambition, love, and sacrifice. Murray masterfully brings to life a time when Black voices were rising in the arts, with Jessie standing at the forefront, shaping the narrative of an entire generation. Murray’s vivid prose immerses you in the vibrant cultural scene of Harlem, skillfully intertwining Jessie’s personal and professional life. As Jessie navigates the challenges of success, the costs of her achievements become increasingly evident, reminding us that greatness often comes with sacrifices. Ultimately, this book is about the indomitable spirit of a woman who dared to dream and ignite change. Jessie’s story resonated deeply, leaving me inspired by her legacy and the reminder that the fight for recognition and representation in the arts remains relevant today. I can’t recommend this enlightening read enough. It celebrates resilience, love, and the transformative power of art.

Murray’s prose shines as she captures the vibrancy of the Harlem Renaissance, making it not just a backdrop but a living, breathing entity within the story. This novel is an unforgettable celebration of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of art, serving as a poignant reminder of the complexities that define our personal and professional lives. It left me with a deeper connection to the voices that have shaped history and the enduring legacies they leave behind.