This book was rough for me to get through. While it was interesting enough, the New York music scene of the 1920s and 1930s did not keep my attention. There were a lot of characters who I assume to be real life people. But as someone with little to no knowledge of that time period, it went over my head. Readers with knowledge of that time and music scene would enjoy this book more than I did.

-`ˏ 3 stars ˎ´˗

“I can’t help it if I’m a romantic,” he said. “I was born that way.” Lady Gaga would disagree with the use of her phase to justify cheating, whether or not this was said before her birth.

Storyline -`ˏ 7/10 ˎ´˗
An intimate look into the affairs of a young music 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.

Characters -`ˏ 5/10 ˎ´˗
Katherine Swift is someone who was swept away with the promise of a happy and stable marriage before fully knowing who her partner was. Her husband Jimmy Warburg believes that it is natural for them to experience the bodies of others in their marriage as long as it’s not serious. He may not be the best husband, but in all other aspects he is praiseworthy, especially as far as their children are concerned. I believe it was destined for Katherine and George Gershwin to meet, even though it’s under a situation that is unfavorable. They placed such passion in one another and it was transferred to their work.

Atmosphere -`ˏ 7/10 ˎ´˗
Taking a look into grand events in musical history, realizing that celebrities aren’t perfect and there’s a lot hidden behind all the champagne and dazzles.
Trigger warning: abuse (sexual, emotional, and verbal), infidelity, and loss of loved one
*Please note that due to its early 1900s setting, there would be mentions of the Great Depression, Adolf Hitler, nazis, use of the word negro, and black face.

Language -`ˏ 8/10 ˎ´˗
The writing was quite lyrical with represented how deep into the musical world we enter. I was able to switch to the audiobook early into my read which I highly recommend. You’ll get a better understanding of their state of mind with can be misconstrued.

Enjoyment -`ˏ 5/10 ˎ´˗
I went into this without any knowledge of the emblematic history of the characters. Learned about the rich and famous of New York City's jazz age. While going into the depth of the mind of an artist as they compose their work. It was very fascinating, however, I think Katherine lost more than she gained with her choices, but that's debatable.

George Gershwin is known for his nimble fingers and his non-ability to make a commitment to any one woman. The Jazz Period was a time for everyone to let loose and in more ways than one. Kay Swift is another budding piano aficionado that is married to a wealthy banking family. Her husband has always had extra-marital affairs and she has always looked the other way. Then she meets George and her husband at first is agreeable to her liaison.

This is a wonderful book looking at the wealthy and those who try breaking into the ranks of the haves. It also shows you how fast those with can lose there wealth based on innuendo and opinions not facts.

I really enjoyed this book and learning more about our timeless music.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Rhapsody is a historical novel set in the 1920's - 1930's. It tells the story of Kay Swift, a pianist who is married to banker James Warburg when she meets and falls in love with composer George Gershwin.

I wanted to read this novel because I love Gershwin's music and was curious about a book exploring his life. I also find the time period and setting (primarily New York City) intriguing.

This read started slowly for me as it filled in Kay's backstory. It picked up speed when she met Jimmy (James Warburg), and especially when George Gershwin entered the picture. By that point I was thoroughly engrossed in the storytelling and sat and read the rest of the book in an afternoon. I wanted to know what happened next!

The author does a wonderful job at setting the scene with music details, famous friends (like Dorothy Parker and Adele Astaire), and descriptions of the entertainment world and society life in the 1920's. There are vivid scenes like:

"The Century Theatre was closed to the public during the day. But the doorman recognized Jimmy, whose family had financed construction of the building, and the elevator operator whisked them up in his polished-brass cage to the enclosed portion of the Roof Garden Pavilion, where a disk was spinning on the Victrola while maintenance employees swept the floor and set tables. Eddie Cantor, backed by an orchestra, sang— Every lyric writer since the world began Has put in overtime in raves about the moon. And when the animals descended from the Ark They sang a song that rhymed with June And tune and spoon. Apart from the restaurant staff and the invisible singer and his orchestra, Jimmy and Katharine had the spacious glass room to themselves. As they proceeded to a table at the far end of the room, Katharine wondered whether Jimmy had not prearranged the entire scene, including the music. It all seemed too picturesque and dreamlike to be entirely spontaneous" (eBook location 1009).

Kay is a complex character - ambitious in a time when this was not encouraged for women, married to one man but in love/obsessed with another. I especially loved the detail of Kay reading The Great Gatsby and seeing some parallels between her fascination with Gershwin and Jay Gatsby's obsession with Daisy Buchanan.

One of the hallmarks of a good historical novel for me is learning more about historic figures or a different time period. Rhapsody provides a unique glimpse at NYC in the 1920's and Gershwin's life - both personal life and his artistry and work.

I enjoyed Rhapsody and recommend it for fans of historical fiction, especially for anyone interested in music, the 1920's - 1930's, old New York, and the life of George Gershwin.

I really enjoyed this book. I was unfamiliar with Kay Swift, but love Gershwin, so I had to read this book. Historical fiction is at its best when I read a book, enjoy it, learn something new, and then have to hit google to learn more. A really good read that gives a glimpse into the lives of composers and Broadway.

I was drawn to this story because I love pretty much anything set in the 1920s, and I didn't know much about George Gershwin. I do enjoy an opportunity to learn more about a real person through historical fiction.
While I liked this book, I didn't LOVE it. I found the main character to be aloof and astoundingly selfish. I felt sorry for her daughters. I didn't really find any of the characters to be well-developed or relatable.
That being said, since I was in the high school band and studied musical theory and composition, I enjoyed that facet of it - the music creation and the way everything came together.
I probably would not recommend this book to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC!

I had trouble relating to the well-to-do characters but enjoyed reading the historical fiction of the 1920s and a timepiece I'd not known.

I wanted to like this one but after over 100 pages I still wasn't into it. Unfortunately the protagonist never clicked for me as I found her more aloof and annoying than I would like. There where definitely moments when I found her wit fun but it wasn't enough for me to continue. I still think it's worth a read though for those who enjoy the time period and/or the music scene of what is now classical music to us but was innovative then.

Note: I received a free electronic edition of this book via NetGalley in exchange for the honest review above. I would like to thank them, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to do so.

"All music is in your mind,"said George.
" Otherwise it's just sound."

Rhapsody is the story of the love affair between Katherine Swift a classical pianist and George Gershwin. The later being the composer of the title. It was during a performance of Rhapsody that Katherine Swift heard the music in her mind and wanted desperately to recreate that same style on her Steinway.
The story is told with the perspective of Katherine Swift in a narrative prose style. Her background is told as her parents were also music minded. Mother being a hymn composer and her father being a opera critic.
Along the way she meets and later marries James Warburg him of the banking family Warburg whom his father Paul Warburg helped found the National Reserve and opposed to the marriage of Katherine and his son James because of Katherine not being Jewish. James's parents seem to disappear from the story.
Katherine knows about her husband's infidelity and James gives Katherine permission to go and do likewise.
She dismisses offhandedly her Christian upbringing and begins a long affair with George Gershwin.

Katherine Swift soon forgets her children. Flying off to Paris instead of attending her daughter's recital. Accusing her husband James who comes back from a overseas business trip with the statement' was your zipper down.' While at the same time didn't mind if George Gershwin zipper was down. She even gets upset that George has been seeing someone else.
Famous names get dropped into the story. The one famous name is Madam C. J. Walker. She mentions in the story to Katherine Swift that she invited the Rockefellers but they declined and they are just 'white supremacists.' The editor must have put those two words in the story so that today's cancel culture would not cancel the book. Along with the stories of Duke Ellington and other famous names in the jazz scene stated that how white people keep them oppressed.

The story starts with Kay Swift. She was a classically trained pianist trying to help support her mother when she met Jimmy Warburg who was in the Navy and ready to go to war for his adopted country. His father was a wealthy banker who pulled some strings to keep his son in Washington and not at the front. He eventually marries Kay and indulges her music and at one point writes lyrics under the pseudonym Paul James. They meet George Gershwin and she is struck by his musical ability and the fact that he is untrained. Kay becomes the center of a romantic triangle with Jimmy and George and claims to love both.

If I knew more about music and the music business I might have enjoyed this more. When I find myself reading and easily distracted by things like laundry I realize something is missing for me in the story. I wanted more about the characters and their motivation. I knew Kay's passion for music but why was it causing her to neglect her children? What made Jimmy accept the long running affair? I had the idea that the book was about George but I never felt like I knew George other than he was charismatic and he wrote a lot of famous songs. Kay seemed more the center of the story than George was.

I did a lot of googling to see who were real people, what they looked like, what did the songs sound like. The author did a good job with the ambiance of New York in the 1930's, the cars and fashions. I did enjoy the story but I just wish I knew more about making music.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for providing me a copy of this story.

Rhapsody is historical fiction that weaves in the real life of George Gershwin, the musical genius and his talented mistress, Kaye Swift.

Kaye is the wife of Jimmy Warburg, a NYC wealthy banker. Early in their marriage, they establish its in their nature to stray outside the boundaries of their marriage. Kaye stays faithful until she crosses path George and her heart explodes into song. Torn between her life with Jimmy and their daughters, Kay straddles two worlds everyday hoping George will pick her. The ending will leave your heart shattered.

This book is littered with famous people of the 20’s and 30’s frolicking around NYC in the Jazz Age. Fans of historical fiction, NYC and the music of our times, will enjoy this book immensely.

Thank you NetGally for the ARC for an honest review.

This was a well researched look at the life of Kay Swift, socialite girlfriend of George Gershwin. I liked that the author brought to light Kay’s talent in her own right. Also that she was much more than just George Gershwin’s lover.

I admit that this story was difficult to read because it is tough to find a character to like in this book. Most of the characters are self-centered and narcissistic. They make decisions about their life and relationships that are detrimental of their children. In fact, I felt that Kay resented her children.

I recommend this book to music lovers, especially those who are interested in musical theater in the 1920’s.

3.5 rounded up

Rhapsody by Mitchell James Kaplan

5 stars

Do you love music? Are you intrigued by the evolution of American music? Does the Jazz Age, its music and personalities, fascinate you? If so, this book will be enlightening and enjoyable!

This novel tells the story of Kay Swift and her rise as one of the first successful composers in the male-dominated world of popular music in the fast-paced Jazz Age.
She was the first female musician to completely score a hit musical, and many of her songs have become pop standards. Along the way, she also became the collaborator and lover of George Gershwin.

Music’s influence on Kay’s life began early, as her father was a respected music critic. He died when she was young, but in this book, she looks to him in reminiscences and dreams for guidance in her musical journey. She was educated at what is now the Juilliard School of Music as a classical pianist and studied with renowned masters of composition and harmony. After completing the program she began relentlessly pursuing her dream of performing and composing music, first in an all-female classical trio. They play at a broad range of events with famous guests, which is a who’s who of 1920’s society and political personalities. During this time, she meets Jimmy Warburg, a well-known wealthy banker and marries him, believing him to be supportive of the evolving role of women as equals, with careers, not just vapid society dames. While they have three daughters, both Jimmy and Kay are portrayed as somewhat emotionally detached parents, both focused on pursuing their careers and their whirlwind social lives.

This novel is so well constructed that it moves seamlessly along the story arc of her life and music, and its intersection with the life and career of George Gershwin. Along the way the reader is treated to fascinating anecdotes of the rapid development of “modern” classical music, swing and jazz. Kay’s development as a popular music composer and her complicated relationships with Jimmy and George are compelling reading. This is the romance of two musical geniuses who enhanced each other’s lives while also producing heartache for those around them.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this author and the atmosphere of this novel. The historical context of the locations (New York City, Europe and Hollywood) and of the issues of the times added to the overall interest for me as a reader. The author exhibits extensive research into the characters and a deep understanding of music. I also admire his sentence structure and attention to detail and good grammar!
As a lover of music, Gershwin, and strong women pursuing their dreams, I am so very glad to have read this book.

Thank you to Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my unbiased review.

I loved this one. Not normally something I’d chose to read but I’m so glad I did. I loved finding books that I love. Thank you so much

As a fan of historical fiction, and of George Gershwin's work, this novel was an ideal fit for me. I found it well researched and engaging. I knew little of his personal life, or his relationship with Kay Swift Warburg. Set over a decade, the narrative involves events from 1917 to 1937, both in their personal lives and world events. The focus was more on Kay than George, and that helped lnd some credibility in my opnion. However true the events surrounding psychoanalysis, I found that plot line unnecessary, which would be my only quibble.

It is obvious that the author did a considerable amount of research for this book. I knew most of the people he talked about in the book from my childhood and my mother talking about them or watching old movies. I did not study music in depth and was not particularly interested in all the detail put forth musically and if you are less than 40 years old, have a particular interest in music ,theater, and history of these particular people not sure that you would enjoy it! I am over sixty and I got bogged down with the details and references. It took nearly 40% of the book before it caught my attention with the actual story and then it was a story that focused on a who's who of the 1930's and privileged people in NYC theater and banking. There was a jump in time where we went from Katherine being an outsider w her future father in law trying to scare her off to suddenly being married into the family to full speed ahead being a socialite. I felt like I missed something. The characters did not lend themselves to connections, more a lot of events on a timeline, until the very end when you almost feel Kay Swift's disappointment and grief. How George Gershwin blazed the jazz trail and his short life as well as how women were viewed was interesting. The writing itself past the first few chapters is at least a 4 star but the failure to envoke any connection is a 3. I would highly recommend to someone with a great interest in music and theater of the 1920's and 30's. Not for someone who just likes historical fiction. I was provided an advanced reader copy of the book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I love historical fiction with a good kick of non-fiction. This book made me walk streets of New York during Great Depression and pre WWII era. I walk by theaters on Broadway and MET Opera, but having a chance to imagine it almost a century later now is a treat. Put all fluff aside, let's think about the world Gershwin lived in those days! Having Duke Ellington as his friend, composing few of the most successful pieces of his time.... It was a shame that American music lost a genius like Gershwin that early in his life. Can you imagine what a greater legend he would be if he lived little longer?

We see the story from Kay Swift's perspective. She was already one of the few musical geniuses of her time but obviously she was getting less recognition and had to fight more simply because she was a woman. We started with her courtship with her later-husband heir to Warburgs. Even though she was born to a privileged family, her status went little overboard after marrying banking royalty. However, no one could keep her away from music and her desires. She was able to score few things with her husband but life became real when she started her relationship with Gershwin. They were bringing each other up both musically and emotionally.

Just imagine finding a partner that shares the same passion with you: make your life an adventure and a sight to see for everyone... Kay had George to do this only to lose him before reaching their full potential! This is both flashy and sad story of Kay-George relationship and world of music. If you are interested in music history with little bit personal details, this is for you

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: March 2, 2021

What a journey through 1920s and 30s New York City! This is an incredible look behind the scenes of THE scene with so many familiar names dropped, that you really get a sense of life at that time.

Throw in growing tension in Germany, race relations in the US and abroad, and some Freud-inspired psychoanalysis sessions (though these I found a bit distracting) and you’ve got one interesting historical fiction.

A lot of these characters are individually a mess (in their own lives) but their interconnectedness forms an interesting orchestral piece of a book!

Did I know anything about George Gershwin and Kay Swift's relationship before reading Rhapsody? Or about the Jazz Age in New York during the early 1900s? The answer was no to both questions, but after reading this historical fiction book, I certainly feel like I have a better understanding of this particular period of time.
Kay Swift was a pianist, wife, and mother. Her husband is a wealthy banker who wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants to stay married and he wants an open marriage. Kay has very few options, and though this isn't the happily ever after she imagined, she remains faithful, until she meets George Gershwin.
Kay fall for him and their affair continues for ten years. George's true love though was music, no woman would ever be more important. Kay makes some questionable choices in her personal life, and even though I felt for her due to the limitations she faced during this era, I didn't really like her very much.
I was familiar with Gershwin's music before reading Rhapsody, but I had no idea that Swift was the first woman to have scored a musical play. It is a fascinating look at two creative people who certainly had flaws, and how the societal norms of the day influenced and shaped their relationship and music.
This is one of the many reasons I like to step out of my comfort genre zone. A year ago, I wouldn't have given this type of book a second glance, and now I find myself eager to learn more about this time period. An enjoyable and well-written book.

Talk about a pair of star crossed lovers. Fantastic historical fiction that dragged me deep under its spell within the first few paragraphs.

I found myself very impressed with this story. The writing, the details peppered throughout, I would recommend this to anyone interested in the historical fiction pertaining to or set during the Jazz Age, Roaring Twenties New York, and also for those with an interest in musical history.

My thanks to Mitchell James Kaplan, Gallery Books, and NetGalley. I received an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.