Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

“The greed of the powerful will lead to the addiction of the weak.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First off, thank you @berkleypub for the free copy of Harlem Rhapsody #berkleypartner

Now let’s jump into it with what I liked:

1. Murray has that writing talent that allows words to form in the readers head as if they were watching a movie. Everything can be vividly seen in the readers imagination and keeps you engaged the entire time.

2. The material is incredibly well researched, however, as history is normally kept by white men, I’m sure it was not easy to find accounts strictly based on Jessie Redmond Faucet. Murray details this in her historical note, indicating that stand alone information about Jessie was hard to come by but she was frequently mentioned in information pertaining to W.E.B. Du Bois. Which is exactly why you get such an entanglement of the two characters. And why I suspect we, unfortunately, do not get much information about Jessie pre and post her time at The Crisis.

3. While, at surface level, it may appear that the novel just highlights Jessie’s relationship to Du Bois, this is certainly not the case. The novel drives home how wide and present Jessie’s influence was at all levels of raising up black voices. The impact she had on so many influential people is mind blowing. It makes it that much more devastating that she was never properly acknowledged the way she deserved.

Now why I ended up only rating it four stars:

1. While I did thoroughly enjoy the novel, it was hard to get into and it did not hold my attention while reading. I did prefer the audio book and the narrator was fantastic.

2. The pacing at some points was very slow with little momentum to the story/plot.

3. I wish the author included a bibliography or at least a list for further reading. This is something I really appreciate with historical fiction.

Overall though, I really did enjoy this one and recommend it to all of my fellow historical fiction lovers!

I was really excited to read this story especially because of the author. However, the writing was not related to the title and that I thought was misleading and disappointing.

Harlem Rhapsody is a rich, immersive read that really captures the spirit of its time. The atmosphere, music, and historical detail were beautifully done—it felt like stepping right into 1920s Harlem. The characters were complex and compelling, especially the lead, whose personal journey was layered and emotional.

That said, the pacing felt a bit slow in parts. Some sections lingered longer than needed, which made it harder to stay fully engaged the whole way through. Still, the payoff was worth it, and the story as a whole was powerful and moving. If you're into character-driven historical fiction with depth and soul, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Harlem Rhapsody is a captivating exploration of the Harlem Renaissance, focusing on Jessie Redmon Fauset, a pivotal but overlooked figure in history. Author Victoria Christopher Murray skillfully intertwines historical facts with vivid storytelling, immersing readers in the vibrant culture of 1920s Harlem.

From the very first page, I was captivated by Fauset and her contributions to this transformative era in American history. Fauset's journey through struggles and triumphs resonated deeply, prompting me to alternate between shaking my head in disbelief and cheering her on as she navigated her challenges.

While the emphasis on Fauset’s affair with W.E.B. Du Bois adds an intriguing layer to the story, it occasionally overshadows other significant aspects of her life and her lasting impact on the movement. Nonetheless, this relationship is crucial in understanding her trajectory and the personal hurdles she faced.

Two important notes: First, don’t skip the author’s note and historical note at the end of the book. Both provide fascinating insights and additional context! Second, be prepared to dive deeper into the lives of these historical figures; you'll find yourself eager to learn more.

Harlem Rhapsody is a must-read for anyone interested in the Harlem Renaissance and the unsung trailblazers who shaped it. If you’re seeking a book that combines rich history with compelling storytelling, this one deserves a spot at the top of your reading list.

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for this advance copy!

Jessie Redmon Fauset was an incredible woman, with an eye for talent and an incredible vision of bringing literature to Black America in the early part of the 20th Century. She has been lost to history in many ways because of her affair with WEB Du Bois, but Victoria Christopher Murray does an incredible job of bringing her to life in this historical fiction novel. Jessie's intelligence and grace ooze off the page as she interacts with the likes of Langston Hughes and other notables of the Harlem Renaissance. Her role is central to this period, and yet she stands behind the greats she supported and helped popularize.

I loved the writing in this novel; it was engaging and vivacious. I appreciated that this is only from Jessie's point of view and I loved how Murry wrote her with no apologies or judgement. A fantastic read for anyone interested in the women of the Harlem Renaissance.

I’m late to the party once again… but whew there’s so much I want to say.

The first few pages pulled me in and I went down a rabbit hole about Dr. WEB Du Bois for a little bit. At first, I was thinking how can the author put this affair in print? Isn’t that slander? Is this actually true? I know it’s historical fiction, but there are real folks names in this novel. I was concerned, but my curiosity outweighed that.

It sucked that Jessie didn’t get what she wanted the most in the end, but at least she found clarity and her “role” in WEB’s life. One review on this novel, stated that it mainly focused on the affair. I don’t think it did. I think that reader may have felt that way because all of Jessie’s accomplishments, desires, and dreams were intertwined with WEB and their relationship. I mean she did move to Harlem because of him and the position he created FOR HER. The author couldn’t talk about one part of Jessie’s life without it having some connection to WEB as WEB was the creator of “The Crisis” and Jessie loved both.

The author did a great job introducing us to Jessie and helping us get to know her. We got to know her desires, see her put her big toe down, lift up and inspire world famous Negro writers, and eventually follow her own dreams of being a writer and choosing herself.

As for the other characters of the novel, Maman played a major role in Jessie’s life and even though she was distraught when Maman refused to put up with her being a mistress she still did what she wanted 😂. I knew Jessie wasn’t going to leave until she figured it all out for herself. Maman stood firm on what she said though and I never heard of the work integrationist until I read this, so that was interesting as well.

It still amazes me how true this story is, but I feel as though it makes the story even more special. It just confused me at first and had me side-eyeing the whole story for a good minute.

If you’re looking for historical fiction with some real TEA, funny moments, famous name dropping, along with determined and inspiring characters during the Harlem Renaissance, then this is for you. I learned alot!

Thank you Penguin Random House and Victoria Christopher Murray for the ARC of this book. It was a ride. 4.5 ⭐️/5

This is a gripping historical fiction page turner which effectively evokes the Harlem Renaissance period and brings to life one of its driving forces, Jessie Redmon Fauset. I felt like I was back in the 1919-1925 period with Jessie and her colleagues and friends etc. Very informative and obviously well researched. Definitely a recommend especially for fans of The Personal Librarian.

I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction novel, it had that concept that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The use of 1919 worked with this storyline and was invested in what was happening. I thought the characters worked well in the novel and had that feel that I was looking for and thought they were realistically done. Victoria Christopher Murray has a strong writing style and enjoyed the overall feel of this package.

DNF'd at 54%. While I do like that Murray explored the misogyny unique to Black women that is both within and outside of the Black community, I would have enjoyed this more and been prompted to finish it if more of the focus had been on Jessie Fauset, instead of so much page time given to her affair with W.E.B. DuBois.

An important and timely historical fiction that has me on the edge of my seat. Well researched and beautifully paced.

I very much enjoyed the history behind this story. Incredible book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

I had the honor of reading an advance copy of Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray in preparation for a video series we filmed in Harlem, NY ahead of the book's release. Murray successfully marries history and imagination to tell the story of an unsung hero who was crucial to one of America's most creative eras. This is a must read for Black history buffs who enjoy a little fiction on the side.

DNFd at 36%

I wish I could finish this. I liked the writing style and would have loved to learn more about all the topics but the focus on their alleged affair was not something I liked reading about.

*thank you berkley and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was five star book for me, I absolutely loved it. I love learning about unknown or forgotten historical figures, particulary minorities that are not taught extensively. The main character, Jessie, has a love affair with W.E.B. duBois, but that is not the defining issue of her importance to the Harlem Renaissance. Wonderful story of an important African-American Woman!

This book didn't really work for me, but I do think a lot of readers will enjoy it. It's an interesting book that deals well with its subject.

3.75 Stars
This was a solid read, and I’m glad I stepped outside my usual picks for something more diverse and enriching.

I found Jesse a bit frustrating at times, particularly in how she seemed to lack self-respect—but upon reflection, I realized that by slightly lowering the bar for men, she may have strategically positioned herself to advance her own career and open doors for other Black individuals as well. That nuance added depth to her character and choices.

I especially appreciated the author’s epilogue—it was fascinating to learn what became of Jesse after her time at the magazine. She was truly an impactful woman who played a significant role in shaping the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem Rhapsody is a story that takes place in 1919 and 1920. Harlem is the place where Black pride is everywhere in music literature, theatre, fashion and the arts, while in the rest of the country, a lot of civil and racial unrest takes place.
The Crisis is a magazine founded by W.E.B (Will) du Bois, who is also the editor. Jessie Redmon Fauset, the main character in this book has recently moved to Harlem with her mother, and she becomes the editor of The Crisis. Her task at the magazine is discovering young black writers whose writing will change the world .She discovers many new black writers; sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends.The magazine thrives under Jessie's leadership, the number of subscriptions rises quick and every black aspiring writer wants their work published in the groundbreaking magazine.

But her work at the magazine also has a darker side; she has a an affair with Will, while he is married an has a daughter and is fourteen years older then Jessie. Jessie's mom finds out, leaves and moves back home. From one of her friends she gained over the years working at the magazine, rumors come that Will is also seeing other women besides Jessie. Their affair is chaotic and has many ups and downs, and it influences Jessie's work at the magazine more and more, as she sees Will almost everyday. And she has a goal, to one day become the editor in chief of the magazine, which is Will's position at the magazine. When her relationship with Will becomes troubled, she has to choose between her position at the magazine, going on with her relationship with Will, or to study at the Sorbonne University in Paris and choose for herself.

This is a book I have mixed feelings about. Most of all, I found this story lacked depth, and the characters stayed very one-dimensional, and the storyline, which also lacked an interesting development or events that keep you interested as a reader, evolved mostly around the secret relationship between Jessie and Will, which made the more interesting topics that the book has, the era of racial and civil unrest it was set in, fall to the background. And to stay interested in the characters, what was happening in the book was just not interesting and the storyline felt quite thin. You truly starts wondering as a reader why Jessie is starting an affair with a married and very egoistic man like Will, which truly conflicted with her work for The Crisis, and I truly expected Jessie to be smarter than to start an affair. What else was missing was any interesting plot twist or turns, in this story there where not any of them, and that's a true pity. It would have been a nicer book if the author decided that Jessie made a few wiser decisions earlier in the story, and stood more up for herself instead of falling for a doomed affair.

I truly expected more of this book, and do not really recommend reading it.

I loved this story! W.E.B.'s antics definitely had me side-eyeing him, but Jessie is brilliant and a trailblazer!

I just finished Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray, and I’m honestly teary-eyed. This powerful novel, centered on Jessie Redmon Fauset, a Black woman I knew far too little about due to the glaring gaps in our school system, moved me to my core.

Jessie’s brilliance, her flaws, her unwavering determination, it all took my breath away. The way she fought for her voice, her words, and her people is nothing short of extraordinary and so deserving of more recognition.

Murray wrote this story with such care, depth, and honesty. She didn’t shy away from the hard truths, the complexities of Jessie’s affair with Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, the shame and fulfillment that coexisted in that relationship, or the deeply flawed, often misogynistic and self-righteous behaviors of Du Bois himself. These moments were heartbreaking, but they also made the story feel incredibly real and human.

Harlem Rhapsody is not just a beautifully written book, it’s a necessary one. Through Jessie’s eyes, I also gained a deeper appreciation for figures like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen. I’m walking away from this novel grateful, inspired, and more curious than ever.

If you love historical fiction that tells the stories of our ancestors with tenderness and truth, this one is a must-read.

You will be so inspired by Jessie Redmon Fauset’s tenacity, skill, and leadership in a time when Black Women were barely given a second glance. BRAVA!! I am so happy to have learned about this incredible woman who reshaped literature and lifted up so many Black Artists.