When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued by the subject. Rhapsody by Mitchell James Kaplan is a historical fiction book about Katharine “Kay” Swift, a talented pianist who is married to James Warburg, who had a long love affair with George Gershwin. It was an topic that I had never read about, but I had a hard time getting into the story. About half way was when I that that the story had more of a flow and started moving faster. Overall this is not personally a fit for me as a reader. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was unable to download this file due to issues with the file. I wish I could give thiw book a proper review.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publisher and the author.

I normally don't read books like this but wanted to know more about George Gershwin and his mistress. I decided not to finish it since I wasn't enthralled by this book. I'm in the minority of enjoying this book.

This was a beautifully written novel that brings to life the music and culture of early 20th Century Paris. The story follows the tumultuous relationship between composer George Gershwin and his muse, French singer and dancer Simone. The characters are complex and their passion for music and art is evident throughout the book. Overall, Rhapsody is a captivating and immersive read that will transport readers to another time and place.

Sincere thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy, in exchange for an honest review.

A must-read for music lovers.
Portraying two of music's greats and their lengthy affair during the 1920's and 1930's.
Two of music's admired musicians. Detailed. I think you'll like this historical fiction book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The synopsis was very intriguing and I liked the idea of learning more about George Gershwin. It definitely paints a unique picture of his and Kay Swift's life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an Arc of Rhapsody in exchange for an honest review.

Wealthy socialite and pianist Katharine "Kay" Swift has been having a ten-year long passionate love affair with the famed piano genius, George Gershwin. Kay's own marriage had been riddled with affairs and her husbands concept of an open marriage so she thought she had found in George the devoted loving relationship she was lacking with her own husband. Between battling her love affairs and own tumultuous musical career to become the woman behind the man behind some of Broadway's biggest hits.

I was excited by this premise set in the Jazz age and centered around the affair of one of the era's greatest composers behind some of the best known music from the time. I enjoyed the relationship between Kay and Jimmy. It is also fun to see some famous names before they were household names. I struggled with the character traits of Kay as she became very self-absorbed and I didn't like her as much as I did early on. Overall this is a fun look into the passionate love affairs in the past.

Poorly written and 2D characters. The number of metaphors was excruciating.

I was disappointed—the description sounded promising!

An intimate look into the affairs of a musical genius named George Gershwin and a pianist Katarine Swift, who desire recognition with her profession as well as a love that she no longer gets from her husband. Kay began writing show tunes and acting as a helpmate to George. They eventually became involved in a complicated love affair, and along the way, in their busy cosmopolitan lifestyle, the reader becomes acquainted with the rich and famous of the day. Swift and Gershwin socialized with many of the well known figures of the day. Among their acquaintances were Maurice Ravel, Nadia Boulanger, FDR, Al Jolson, Rodgers and Hart, Fred and Adele Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Duke Ellington, among many, many others. The story of Porgy and Bess and its controversies were fascinating. The life of those working on Broadway as well as in venues for both classical music and jazz was engrossing. Looks at current events during that era were compelling, including the Depression, Prohibition, the rise of Hitler and the Nazis, and race relations. I didn’t really know too much about him before this book. It was informative, and parts were really interesting. I thought it dragged a bit and at times I didn’t really care about the three main characters. A fun piece of historical fiction based on the brilliant mind of Gershwin.

Thanks to NetGalley, te author and publisher for the ARC.

Rhapsody tells the story of Kay Swift and George Gershwin. However, I really could not connect with their love story. They made many bad choices. I also felt sorry for Kay’s husband. He was the most sympathetic character in this whole story. Kay and George had a really bad relationship. Still, I recommend this for fans of Nora.

This was an interesting book based on George Gershwin and Kay Swift, who were lovers throughout their lives and interwoven careers. While I enjoyed traveling back in time, learning about the period and George Gershwin’s success, as well as reading about the lives of the famous music and theater people, I did not relate to any of the main characters. They were all pretty self-centered and one-dimensional, which stood in the way of me loving this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free copy.

Katharine “Kay” Swift was a young woman - a socialite - married to a wealthy banker but frustrated because she wished to be taken seriously as a concert pianist. In one night her life will change when she attends a concert and hears a stirring new piece. She is determined to meet the brash young composer ... George Gershwin.

That meeting would lead to a ten-year affair, ending only with Gershwin's death. Throughout that time, Kay struggled to gain recognition for her own work, struggled with her conflicting emotions for her husband and her lover, and struggled knowing that Gershwin would never be able to commit to a relationship because he was too busy being adored by the rest of the country.

I've lately found that I can really enjoy a well-written historical fiction novel and when I saw the subject ... Gershwin, Swift, and the music of the jazz age ... I knew I had to read this. Unfortunately, author Mitchel James Kaplan delivers an un-inspiring story.

This is Kay's story (not Gershwin's), which is a great idea. There's so much potential conflict ... competing for musical attention while admiring Gershwin for his talent; dual romantic life; etc ... that this could be a wild thrill ride, a powerful romantic story, in addition to all the historical data. But it's all swept away with a slow, over-written story. For example:

Returning to George’s apartment after a third meeting with the Theatre Guild, they found the playwright Guy Bolton waiting outside. He had written the books for several successful musicals, including a few of George’s. Although Guy’s parents were American, he had been raised in England and he exhibited his European patina like his gold-and-ruby tiepin, to establish his posh bona fides. At the same time, he offered a wink to those who detected his posturing, as if to imply you and I know it’s silly, don’t we, old chap. The whole culture game, just a socially acceptable way to snuffle each other’s behinds like bloodhounds confirming hierarchy.

Dapper in his linen jacket with shoulder pads, his sky-blue shirt with a maroon and yellow club tie, and high-waisted, pleated, tapered pants, Guy kissed Kay’s hand.

The backfill of information, the detailed description of this man's clothes (this man who we only meet briefly) just slows down the story. Was it important to know the background of Guy Bolton? Or was this just some research the author wanted to share.

At one point Kay has a discussion after seeing Al Jolson in his blackface makeup:

“Blackface,” said Zilboorg, nodding. “Is it wrong, do you believe it is wrong, for a person to borrow a mask, an identity, that is not his or her birthright?”

“I don’t know,” reflected Kay. “Cultures borrow. Cultures enrich each other. But it can lead to misunderstandings. Hurt feelings. I guess one has to be cautious.”

This is a very modern sentiment. I struggle to think Kay Swift would think this way. Is there documentation that she felt this way, or is this the author imbuing modern mores onto someone who lived and likely felt very differently one hundred years ago?

I could go on with some of the things that bothered me (I have eight highlights in my Kindle edition) but ultimately I simply wasn't entertained the way a work of fiction should work.

Looking for a good book? Rhapsody by Mitchel James Kaplan is a historical fiction novel of Kay Swift - a composer and the lover of George Gershwin. The historical aspects are fine, but the story as presented is not engaging.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2022 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2022/01/readers-advisory-announce-2022-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Composer and pianist Kay Swift is somewhat happily married to financier Jimmy Warburg. Although they married out of love, his affairs wound her deeply. So when she meets the brilliant, charismatic George Gershwin, she figures what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. The difference is, she really falls in love with Gershwin. While Jimmy can overlook a dalliance, a genuine relationship makes him jealous. Ultimately, their marriage cannot survive,

This fictionalized account of Swift and Gershwin’s ten-year affair provides a fascinating look into Jazz Age New York and Hollywood. Kay Swift is not always likable, as she seemingly abandons her own children, but that was a different time, when the moneyed did not necessarily have a very hands-on approach to child rearing. An enjoyable read that will be fascinating to fans of historical fiction. #Rhapsody #NetGalley

If you are a lover of music in general and the work of George Gershwin in particular then Mitchell James Kaplan’s RHAPSODY could very well be the book for you as it explores the musical genius and the woman who loved him.

This multi-faceted tale primarily focuses on Kay Swift, a married pianist and composer who becomes captivated with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, setting in motion their love affair. That is only the tip of the iceberg that is Swift’s life. The era in which she lives is filled to capacity with global events (WW1, the stock market crash, the Depression, talkies coming to Hollywood, the end of vaudeville and the birth of the Broadway musicals).Her personal lifestyle, thanks to her husband, can only be described as luxurious.

Between her husband and her lover (Gershwin) she rubs elbows with a plethora of luminaries of the era like Duke Ellington, Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart, Dorothy Parker, Fred Astaire, and Langston Hughes to name just a few.

Until I plunged headlong into Kaplan’s book, I had never heard of Kay Swift however, after reading about her life and loves as well as her musical accomplishments all I can say is that singer/songwriter must have had her in mind when he wrote his song “She’s one hell of a woman”. and definitely ahead of her time.

This is a fictional story of the ten year affair between George Gershwin and fellow pianist/composer, Kay Swift, Although much has been written about the time period, this is the first book I've read set around the Broadway / music scene NYC in the 1930's. I found the relationship between so many cultural icons fascinating and the writing lyrical.

Rhapsody by Mitchell James Kaplan is a historical fiction book about Katharine “Kay” Swift, a talented pianist who is married to James Warburg, who had a long love affair with George Gershwin. It was an topic that I had never read about, but I had a hard time getting into the story. About half way was when I that that the story had more of a flow and started moving faster.

If you enjoy reading about the jazz age and want to learn about some of the production and music process and inspiration that Katharine Swift and George Gershwin, this might be the book for you. It was more about Kay's relationship struggles and career path than George Gershwin's.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

An interesting story of the love affair between George Gershwin and Kay Swift.

It was not my favorite historical fiction ever but I did like the real to life characters and getting to experience the Jazz Age with them.

I think one of my biggest struggles was the relationships and how unhealthy some of it was. I don’t tend to enjoy complicated romantic entanglements.

I think it is a great read for people who enjoy the time period or are fans of music wanting to learn more.

Interesting story that depicts a long ago time period in New York. I wasn’t expecting it to be so interesting but it really was.

This was a well written story but I felt it lacked something that I couldn't put my finger on. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.