I enjoyed this novel. It was so fascinating seeing the Harlem Renaissance through the eyes of a lesser known figure. I felt drawn into the environment from the first chapter and loved seeing all the big names of the time, along with some lesser known. At times, the pacing felt a little off, and I had to keep checking the time jumps between chapters, but it kept my interest throughout. It made me want to do a deep dive into learning more about the time period and the influential writers and artists depicted. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for this arc, all opinions are my own.

I don’t typically reach for historical fiction, but Harlem Rhapsody pulled me in and didn’t let go. Watching Jessie and W.E.B. Du Bois’ relationship unfold was messy in the best (and most frustrating) way. Jessie was such an interesting character to follow—she made me mad more times than I can count, but I couldn’t stop reading.

What stuck with me most was how she felt forced to choose between love and work, as if having both was never an option. That dynamic frustrated me, but it also made me think about how much of her decisions were shaped by her grief. Losing her father clearly influenced the way she moved through the world, and I’d love to dive deeper into that connection.

Overall, this book gave me drama, ambition, and a raw look at a woman trying to carve out her place in history. If you love complex characters and historical fiction with teeth, this one’s worth picking up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

Fascinating. Enlightening.

Jessie Redmon Fauset should be one of the most prominent names in literature. But like many other hidden figures in Black history, her impact has gone largely unknown... until now.

Trailblazer. Firecracker. Jessie was a force of nature and a woman ahead of her times. Fauset shined as the first Black female literary editor for The Crisis. That role allowed her to champion Black voices and nurture young Black authors, dubbing her the literary midwife of the Harlem Renaissance. Her influence catapulted the works Langston Hughes, Alaine Locke, Nella Larson, and County Cullen.

Truly, Jessie was the star of this book, and I found myself in awe of her life and accomplishments while equally mystified that I had never learned of her previously. And in such, this book is a necessary read.

As with all real people, life is complex. And Murray does not shy away from the difficulties Fauset found navigating life and love, wants and needs. The exploration of her supposed affair with WEB DuBois amplified this.

However, I found the affair to overshadow Jessie’s legacy. I wanted the primary focus to be on her triumphs rather than a (possible) affair. Women like Jessie deserve the spotlight outside of the men in their lives, even—maybe especially—when the men are powerful and prominent.

Even so, I loved learning about Fauset and the incredible impact she had on literature. She was a captivating individual, and I am glad to see her accomplishments getting the attention they deserve.

🎧 Robin Miles’ performances never disappoint, and here Miles’ depiction captivated as she breathed life into Jessie as though she was telling her own story. The audiobook amplified Murray’s storytelling and endeared me to Jessie all the more.

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book. #berkleypartner #berkleybookstagram

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for my ARC copy! This review contains my personal thoughts and opinions.

I was very excited to read Harlem Rhapsody based on the synopsis. While I knew there would be the plot of W. E. B. Du Bois, Jessie, and their affair, I didn't think it would be such a focal point. Reading this story solidified for me that I'm not a fan of reading about infidelity, especially when the woman is so far gone over the man. It detracted from the story's incredible historical references and positive stories.

I may have felt different about this book if the affair wasn't such a focal point, but unfortunately, this story fell flat for me.

🌈 Rainbow Ratings:
Representation: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Intrigue: 9
Narrative: 7
Build-up: 8
Originality: 7
Wow Factor: 7

Victoria Christopher Murray’s Harlem Rhapsody is a captivating novelization of Jessie Redmon Fauset’s life—the woman behind the literary rise of the Harlem Renaissance. As the editor of The Crisis, Fauset nurtured the voices of Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen, yet her own ambitions and complex relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois threatened to overshadow her legacy. Balancing love, power, and the weight of expectation, Fauset’s story is one of resilience, brilliance, and sacrifice.

I would be lying if I said this story didn’t give me pause. When I first picked it up, I worried it would focus solely on W.E.B. Du Bois rather than the midwife of the literary New Negro movement herself. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how Murray wove these narratives together. Not only do we gain insight into the reality of their “coupling,” but we also see the intricate ways Fauset was intertwined with so many key figures of the movement.

This book made me think deeply about the complexities of my favorite writers and literary heroes, introduced me to new leaders to research, and kept me fully engaged throughout. I’m appreciative of this story in an entirely unique way.

Thank you to Hear Our Voices and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Victoria Christopher Murray does an amazing job telling the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset and her romantic life as well as her talents as a forerunner to the literary world. While it was hard to grapple her life story, Murray keeps the reader intrigued by introducing amazing writers from the past. Telling a story that is true but not what the reader expects keeps this book intriguing.

I’ve heard of W.E.B. Du Bois, an elementary school in Chicago named after him. However, I was not familiar with Jessie Redman Fauset before reading this book. The book explores her role as the first Black woman literary editor of The Crisis magazine, which was founded by W.E.B. Du Bois, and delves into the complexities of her relationship with him as both a mentor and a lover.

What I Loved:
✨Our FMC, Jessie Redman Fauset: What a trailblazer! She is a beacon of strength, ambition, and determination. As a woman challenging societal expectations, she worked tirelessly to uplift Black voices in the literary world. Her passion for literature and contributions to the Harlem Renaissance make her a figure deserving of greater recognition.
✨Black History: The book immerses you in the richness of Black culture during the Harlem Renaissance, celebrating the vibrancy of art, music, and literature. Murray effectively illustrates how Black creativity thrived despite systemic oppression. In other words, Black joy!
✨Narration: Robin Miles excels in narrating the story, bringing Jessie Redman Fauset to life and enriching the book's experience. Her narration adds emotional depth, helping you connect with the historical figures and cultural significance.

Harlem Rhapsody is a testament to Fauset's contributions to Black literature and culture. It’s a beautifully written tribute to a woman who achieved greatness in her field despite the complexities of her personal life. I highly recommend both the book and the audiobook, but please don't miss the author’s note at the end, whichever format you decide on.

This book was so good lol felt like i was apart the triangle myself . I’m going to read it again because i loved it so much .

"𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘦?"

Victoria Christopher Murray shines a spotlight on one of the many women history books have overlooked in 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗠 𝗥𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗬, which explores the extraordinary life of Jessie Redmon Fauset.

Despite facing racism and sexism, Jessie discovered and nurtured some of the most important writers of the time while also making her own mark on literature during the Harlem Renaissance. Hired by W.E.B. Dubois to be the first literary editor of the NAACP's magazine, The Crisis, Fauset introduced the words of Langston Hughes, Jean Toomer, Countee Cullen, and Claude McKay, among others, to the world.

Murray brings 1920s Harlem to life beautifully, and Robin Miles does a fabulous job narrating the audiobook (she also voiced the author's last book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘓𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯, which I loved about Bella da Costa Greene, another Back woman history often forgets). And Jessie's story is fascinating. With everything she contributed to the culture and civil rights movement, she is probably most remembered (when she is remembered at all) for being DuBois's mistress, and I'm glad to see her professional legacy and societal impact being highlighted.

I said in my review yesterday that reading historical fiction about the long fight for civil rights can be frustrating because so little progress has been made and I worry we're starting to move backwards. There were so many quotes in this book that I highlighted that were applicable in the 1920s but also resonate today, like the one at the start of this post, as well as this one I want to close with - "I'm Negro and I'm white but what I am most is American. That's what this country should want me to be."

Thanks to PRHaudio & Berkley for the copies to review.

The research and care that went into this novel is evident as author Victoria Christopher Murray brilliantly pours her heart on the page! Jessie Redmond Fauset's story is filled with power & grace, which VCM conveys in a prose that is lyrical as she brings Jessie's story to life! This is a novel that will stand the test of time, and will hopefully be read by many, many readers.

It's a huge challenge to write historical fiction from the perspective of a real, incredibly talented writer without feeling like the narrative voice falls short. I appreciate that Victoria Christopher Murray did so much research for this book, and she does a good job of shedding light on a literary figure who deserves more recognition. But I've read Jessie Redmon Fauset's work before, and in comparison, Harlem Rhapsody feels flat. There are certainly still a lot of readers who will enjoy and learn from this book.

Historical fiction was my favorite genre in middle school and high school so I was happy to return to it for Harlem Rhapsody. I loved learning about a historical figure whose influence hasn't been recognized to the extent it deserves. This was a thought-provoking book with many relevant themes for today. The conversations about what progress is and who should tell Black stories felt very timely. It was hard to read about some of the decisions our main character made but I really respected that the author didn't shy away from letting her be a complex human being on page who made questionable decisions that sometimes hurt others (like having an affair). At times I wanted to scream at Jessie to leave him but the tension she felt between romantic fulfillment and her career dreams are a big part of her story. It would have been a disservice to ignore the balancing act she was managing. I loved the moments when we got to see her interacting with famous authors like Langston Hughes and I would have loved to see more of the literary part of her story in the book. Overall I had a great time with this book and I'm so glad I picked it up.

Harlem Rhapsody was beautifully executed, a story captivating yet simple, filled with so many layers.

Watching Jessie’s slow character progression felt so perfect and real. Despite all the time jumps, everything felt so natural. It felt like I was growing with her in some cheesy way. The story was told in such a natural way that felt like a friend growing alongside you. I do wish it had shown more of other strong female characters in the novel, I also understand that this book, written to show the trials and successes of a Black woman who has most privileges she can have outside of being, well, a Black woman, is also meant to show how the patriarchy around her so subtly and yes also very obviously controlled her.

The plot felt almost nonexistent and yet I kept reading out of intrigue. The writing was so well done and the character development was truly amazing. I wish there had been a few more twists and suspense, but the storytelling was truly wonderful. My only real wish is that it was more equally centered on more female characters aside from Jessie’s mother, but again, it felt appropriate as well given the time period the book takes place in.

Overall a fantastic read for anybody looking for something easy, relatable, and empowering!

This was an excellent read. I love when a story immediately draws me in. My family has always been a part of The NAACP and I remember reading The Crisis magazine and oftentimes getting information for a school book report. I was born in Harlem Hospital and even though my family moved from Harlem soon after my birth, we would come back every Sunday for church. ⠀ Harlem had a vibe and the author did capture that. I can remember everyone being dressed up on Sunday to attend church service. There was a sense of pride as men dressed in freshly pressed suits and a razor sharp tie would tip their hats when the ladies walked by. ⠀ The author did an amazing job capturing the thoughts and emotions of young writers who became famous. Our heroine set out to be successful in her own right did face challenges. I had a problem with her affair with W.E.B DuBois not only her boss but a married man. I felt as though the author romanticized this affair. Overall a good read. ⠀

With remarkably descriptive prose, Victoria Christopher Murray provides readers with a glimpse of the past. While the story revolves around the life of Jessie Redmon Fauset and her relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois, it ultimately is a book about the rise of talent. Through her own dedication and ambition, Fauset helped to discover the voices that would define the Harlem Renaissance. She wanted everyone to be recognized for their brilliance. Though her relationship with Du Bois often put her at a crossroads, Faust was successful at overcoming adversity in regards to the obstacles put in her path due to both her race and her sex. The research the author put into this work was evident from page one. Readers won't be disappointed by the pace but may be annoyed by the dominance the Fauset/Du Bois relationship.

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray is an historical fiction novel telling the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset and the Harlem Renaissance. Jessie, the first black woman admitted to Cornell cannot find a job in her chosen field and so she becomes a teacher in Washington, D.C. She had written to W.E.B. DuBois after reading his book The Souls of Black Folk - the book had been given to her by her father who died a few days later. When Dr. DuBois wrote back to her, it was a correspondence that continued. Jessie submitted articles to the NAACP magazine, Crises, and eventually W.E.B., or Will offers her the job of Literary Editor. Jessie moves to an apartment in Harlem, accompanied by her mother. In her role as Literary Editor for The Crisis, Jessie discovers young literary talent like Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes and Nella Larsen. The history, the places, the people, are all very well done in this story. Unfortunately, the author chose to spend the majority of time on Jessie's affair with W.E.B. DuBois and that ultimately diminishes the overall story. Jessie's affair with Will is the least interesting thing about her. I gave this book 4 stars and I need to thank the publisher, Berkley Publishing group and Net Galley for sending me the ebook. This book was released on February 4, 2025.

Since I love Historical Fiction a lot, this story was thoroughly enjoyed. The romance, or affair of W.E.B and Jessie was main plot of this story. The characters were mesmerizing, the historical education of the Harlem Renaissance was great considering I love Harlem so much! This was a great read and my first time reading this author’s work and I will definitely read her work again

Loved reading the authors note that was the end, it always tell what inspired the author to tell this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

I loved learning about Jessie Redmon Fauset and her extensive literary career as well as her influence on famed authors such as Langston Hughes and Nella Larsen at the start of the Harlem Renaissance. I was less enamored with her the storyline of her long term affair with the married WEB Du Bois. But I enjoyed the writing and the narration by Robin Miles was excellent.

This book was quite honestly my perfect historical romance!!! The juiciness and the mess had me completely entranced!!!

4.5⭐️

Thank you to @berkleyromance @berkleypub for the opportunity to read and review this book as a part of their influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices!

This was such an amazing story about such a phenomenal woman, Jessie Faucet. She was one of the ones we don’t get to hear much about but I was glad we got to learn more about her contribution in the literary world during the Harlem Renaissance. I do kind of feel as if her relationship with Du Bois kind over overshadowed her literary talents and impact. The storytelling was intriguing and well done. I also appreciated the authors note at the end. This was a great historical fiction about teal people during a real time in our history that I would recommend for everyone to read.