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.

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.

For me, Victoria Christopher Murray’s Harlem Rhapsody is the quintessential historical novel. It is based on true events, is entertaining and provided a learning opportunity. I enjoyed reading this book that centered on Jessie Redmon Fauset, the literary editor of The Crisis - the magazine created and edited by Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois, a civil rights activist. The struggle of Fauset to be seen as a talented writer, editor and activist in her own right was hampered by her on and off again affair with De Bois. The events unfold during the early nineteenth century and Christopher Murray emphasis the struggle for racial equality, yet interweaves women’s fight for equality. I learned much about the early fight for African-American equality, the activists involved, and the early development of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). I highly recommend this book.

This is historical fiction at its best Victoria Christopher Murray brings the Harlem Renaissance alive.I enjoyed learning about the people their personal lives their times.#netgalley #berkley

Victoria has done it again. She has the ani,it’s to transport you directly to the time period for which she writes. The characters are brought to life in such richness that it feels like the truth. It wasn’t her intention, but she made me fall in love with poetry again. It made me research old Brownie publications and I felt as proud as readers did in the 20s. Murray is a writer that I will purchase sight unseen. If you love historical fiction, quality writing with a flare of scandal this is your book.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the life of Jessie Redmon Fauset. I was not aware of her or her amazing impact on the Harlem Renaissance. Her wisdom and groundbreaking work led to so many great works of literature including her own. It was also eye opening to get a different perspective of W.E.B. DuBois. Their professional and personal relationship made them both strong advocates for the black community and literary works. Thank you to Victoria Christopher Murray for her beautiful prose.

Victoria Christopher Murray has done it again. She has found yet another remarkable, but probably unknown to most, woman and celebrated her life in this well written piece of historical fiction. In this book, Harlem Rhapsody, the focus is on a woman who should be recognized by all, Jessie Redmon Fauset. Fauset introduced the world to such luminaries as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Nella Larsen; and those are only a few of the more famous names that she discovered and published.

Jessie Redmon Fauset was a women ahead of her time. Highly educated - a graduate of Cornell and the Sorbonne (and the first Black woman elected to Phi Beta Kappa) - Fauset was working as a school teacher in Washington, DC. However, in 1919 she moved to New York City to become the literary editor of The Crisis, the magazine published by the then 10 year old NAACP. She was named as literary editor by the founder and editor-in-chief, Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois. Fauset was determined to be a novelist, editor and publisher; in short, a career woman, and unlike most women of her time, had no interest in being married and giving up her career. However, she was not above taking a lover - no other than the married Dr. Du Bois. Their relationship provides a tension to the book that keeps the reader on edge leaving you with questions like: will their relationship be discovered by his wife; will Du Bois fire Fauset from her position if she ends the affair; and, what will happen if someone on the NAACP board discovers them?

That tension remains in the background, while the reader is exposed to how Fauset finds, influences, and shapes the lives and works of her luminary stars. She also finds time to write a novel which is met with acclaim. She is truly is a remarkable woman and one that I hope the world will celebrate when Harlem Rhapsody hits the shelves and gets the readership it deserves.

Murray breathes vivid life into historical figures and excavates the compelling personal dramas of some of the most influential figures of the time. This origin story of the Harlem Renaissance will make you laugh, cry, and feel incredibly grateful for Jessie's mentorship and contributions to literature.

I was excited to read this new offering by Victoria Christopher Murphy about the Harlem , Renaissance in the 1910s. While I learned much about the rising literary stars of the period, I was sorely disappointed by the storytelling. Jessie Fauset , accompanied by her stepmother as her chaperone, had just arrived in Harlem to begin a position as editor of The Crisis magazine. W.E.B. DuBois, Civil Rights activist and co-founder of the NAACP, created the magazine as well as the position for Jessie as the literary editor. She was The book slogs through endless pages of constant and tedious praise of DuBois. Jessie was a talented young person but also aided by her secret affair with the married DuBois. As the story developed, it became clear that Jessie was a woman of unbridled ambition that superseded any morality, love or respect for others. I was left wondering if Murphy really intended her as a role model for young Black women when, to me she was not a role model for women of any color.

To me, the sign of a good historical fiction novel is when I can't wait to Google and learn more about the characters and this one fits the bill. I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of poetry so I had never heard of Jessie Redmon Fauset (or some of the poets she "births" throughout the story, but I'm so glad I now know her story and the impact she had on the Harlem Renaissance. What a truly spectacular and important woman of history.

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this and it would make for a great book club discussion as well! There's so much to unpack.

The book was a disappointing read. Written in somewhat simplistic style, similar to a romance novel, I was expecting to learn more about W.E,B. DuBois' role in the history of civil rights for people of color. Instead he is portrayed as an egotistical philanderer taking deep advantage of Jessie both as a professional and a human. Also disappointing is Jessie's lack of self-worth continuing a long-time affair with a married man. She is portrayed as intelligent and ambitious, yet displays a weakness of character continuing an adulterous affair