This was my first time reading a historical fiction novel but I have read the author before and was very interested in the subject matter.
It was a bit difficult initially to read about the personal lives of real individuals and not just fictionalized characters even though the interactions were fictionalized. It felt a bit invasive for me but I began to think of them outside of what I knew of them (especially DuBois) and that made it very easy to read.

I appreciated the amount of historical fact that was included in the novel, it made me even more interested in learning about the era and the players who did so much to advance the Black community.

I most enjoyed the main character, Jessie's, path to finding herself and forging a career for herself. As a fan of all things communication, I loved reading about The Crisis and how these vessels were used to inform and uplift and inform the community.

There has to be so much work that goes into ensuring this type of work remains factual while still maintaining creative freedom. Victoria Christopher Murray does a great job of managing that task and creating an entertaining work.

What a gift to dive into the world of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the woman who Langston Hughes called a midwife of the Harlem Renaissance. Victoria Christopher Murray makes 1920s New York spring to life on the page through this powerful story of ambition and love, art and propaganda, passing and activism, and all the complicated intersections therein.

W.E.B. Du Bois is an ever-present part of Jessie's personal and professional life—sometimes with earnest encouragement and sometimes with maddening derision. I was particularly drawn to the scenes in which Jessie fosters of her protégés' careers. Characters like a young Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen sparkle on the page, giving modern readers a taste of what it must have been like to witness the debut and development of literary greats through the pages of The Brownies' Book and The Crisis.

*I received a digital ARC of this novel on NetGalley through the Publishers Weekly Grab a Galley sweepstakes.*

“Harlem Rhapsody” is a captivating narrative that chronicles the extraordinary life of a remarkable woman. The author’s masterful storytelling draws readers in with a few compelling sentences, compelling them to continue reading until the very end.

Harlem Rhapsody gives us an introduction into not only to the Harlem Renaissance but to Jessie Redmon Fauset. Victoria Christopher Murray does an excellent job of bringing Jessie's story to life. Christopher Murray also handled Jessie and W.E.B. Du Bois shocking affair very delicately. The most interesting part of this story is how Jessie discovered so many authors of the Harlem Renaissance like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen. You can picture the sights, sounds, and fashion of Harlem during that time in history. Harlem Rhapsody is a wonderful ode to the Harlem Renaissance and to the writers who shaped it.

READ THIS BOOK! WHAT AMAZING WRITING!!!

I love an amazing historical fiction novel & this one did not disappoint.
The writing is superb and I loved how the author seamlessly wove in all of the great artists of the Harlem Renaissance.

I found myself grossly enraptured in Jessie's story & I loved how it had a bit of a romance aspect to it. I was constantly googling all of the names in this book because some of them were new to me; and I really liked that the author included Langston Hugh's sponsor of sorts (there's another book based on that woman called "Do What Godmother Says" & that's another MUST READ).

Overall, READ THIS BOOK!

Perfect title this is exactly what this was I came here for historical fiction I got that and a love triangle that turned into a rhombus. One thing I loved reading about was the fact that WEB DuBois was literally booked and busy. He traveled across the country to the south, and outside of the country quite a bit. and it was Jesse Redman faucet that held the crisis down the same hose to today where there is there is a woman holding everything together
I can’t lie reading about the affair was a little disturbing and had me asking the question why the story we tell of our past he wrote today always include their infidelities, but in this story, I feel it was necessary to understand their positions, their goals and their successes they would not have occurred to the extent that they did without this affair. I loved reading about the scenery and historical places in Harlem. I ended up going down a rabbit hole googling all the places and addresses and everything I can find out about the Harlem , Jessie, Langston, and especially Jean Toomer (he really didn’t want to be seen as black)and the Congress over in Africa. I especially love the implementation of the poems throughout this story.
This was a glorious time to be black.
Our folks were making history, going to college,well spoken, educated in multiple languages and members of sororities and fraternities. Our heroes were traveling overseas across the country back-and-forth and really had “sponsors” paying for their lifestyles so they could concentrate on their craft.

Harlem Rhapsody is the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, who worked with W.E.B Du Bois at The Crisis in 1919. W.E.B Du Bois, a famous writer and proponent for civil rights who helped found the NAACP is immortalized in this historical fiction along with Jessie, who is head over heels in love with Du Bois. Jessie signs on to The Crisis and quickly starts uncovering literary talent, such as Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes and Bella Larson. In a time defined by extraordinary racism, and under the leadership of Du Bois, Harlem Rhapsody details these experiences with beautiful clarity and honesty.

This is exactly the type of historical fiction that I love to read! I'm familiar with the works of Du Bois and Hughes, and I was instantly intrigued by the description of this book. A lot of the book focuses on the romance of Jessie and Du Bois, which I was not expecting. It serves as a great introductory title for witnessing this unique time period, and once enjoyed, there are so many works by these fantastic writers to dive into!

A great read, and I think it'll be one of the most memorable historical fictions I've read this year!

Loved it! As well as The Personal Librarian. Ms. Murray did an excellent job maneuvering the personal dynamics of complicated storyline. All in all, a smoothe transition across decades.
The book centered on the romance between W.E.B. Dubois who was married, and Jessie Redmon Faucet. Ms. Faucet was the first Black woman to hold a position at a preeminent "Negro" magazine,
Ms. Faucet also shines light on undiscovered Authors, Langston Hughes, Nella Larsen and Countee Cullen.
Compliments to Ms Murray for including the discovery of this remarkable woman and then writing a book about her.
I particularly enjoy Historical Fiction about an 'unknown' woman who deserves a book to tell her story.
Many thanks to NETGALLEY for allowing me to read and review this excellent book.

Harlem Rhapsody tells the little known story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, an African American woman who made strides for both women and people of color when she was appointed the literary editor of the trailblazing Negro publication of the time, The Crisis.

The story starts in 1919. This is the year Fauset moves to Harlem, New York. A city burgeoning with new voices in music, theater, fashion and arts, it’s an especially exciting time for a young black woman such as Jessie to be able to be part of what we all now know as the Harlem Renaissance.

It is the prolific W.E.B. Du Bois, founder and editor of The Crisis, that takes Jessie under his wing. Under DuBois’s tutelage, Faucet discovers and gives a platform to soon to be great writers such as a young Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen. But as the years progress, Fauset can’t help but yearn for more professionally, not so secretly hoping to take over the helm of The Crisis one day.

But a big part of Fauset’s professional gain is overshadowed by her personal pitfalls-namely her ongoing affair with the married DuBois. Although their relationship is kept discreet, Jessie can’t help but to want more out of the relationship, arguably just as much, if not more so than seeing the growth of her hard earned career.

Harlem Rhapsody is a hard book to review. While the author admits to minor liberties taken in the writing of this story, for the most paper it is based on actual events that can’t be taken out on the storyteller. Admittedly, I didn’t know anything about Fauset going in and very little about W.E.B. Du Bois. However, I will say this story paints DuBois as an egotistical man with an odd justification for his philandering ways. That being said, it was difficult to see Jessie, an otherwise clearly intelligent woman, have the overdue highlighting of her career somewhat eclipsed by her feelings for a man who assumably, only felt for himself.

While an interesting education, I hoped Harlem Rhapsody would have painted in broader strokes the excitement and emotion of the time period. Instead I feel this story focused largely on an unsung woman’s weaker choices, rather than the groundbreaking decisions she would have wanted to be remembered for.

I am DNF-ing this title at 18%.
I have tried to invest in this story and even knowing this is based on the lives of real people I feel as though I'm reading a bad potboiler,
I wanted to learn about two historical figures & instead feel like I'm peaking into somebodies bedroom windows. The whole thing is just too voyeuristic for me.
Lots of others seemed to adore it, so I guess it's just me.

Thanks to netgalley & Berkley for the change to check out this title

Special thanks to the author, @berkleypub & @hearourvoicestours for my gifted copy‼️

Yet again this was historical 👏🏽 fiction 👏🏽 at its finest‼️ Victoria Christopher Murray is a phenomenal writer and Harlem Rhapsody outlines just how amazing her writing is because this was absolute perfection. She wrote this story so well that if I didn’t know it was part fiction dabbled with true historical events I would’ve believed EVERY single word. Because some of the encounters . . . if only I could’ve been there lol.

Harlem Rhapsody introduces readers to Jessie Redmon Fauset literary editor, writer, and poet at the epicenter of the Harlem Renaissance who is often referred to as the midwife of the literary movement. I felt the entire book was evenly balanced with Jessie’s achievements, her relationship with W.E.B., all of the things she accomplished with The Crisis, the Brownie’s book, and her ability to discover, uplift, and inspire some of the best literary writers known to date.

Now I know you guys have probably heard the book is tea and let me just say it is‼️ However, in my opinion the affair doesn’t overshadow Jessie’s legacy nor the great work she was able to accomplish alongside W.E.B. Du Bois. It really added a little depth and edge to the story allowing Murray to highlight some important historical figures while also filling in the what-ifs. That’s really what made it more entertaining for me because what if all of this did happen.

Overall, the book is amazing and yes you should read it. Aside from the drama and tension there is so much to learn. The characters were so well-developed and memorable maman, Mrs.Ovington . . . and Georgia oh Miss Georgia IYKYK. Now, if you can’t see past the affair and enjoy the book for what it is then it may not be for you. Otherwise you’re in for a treat.

Can you say messy historical fiction? Yes, messy and I can say I loved it. And it was set in a time period I love, The Harlem Renaissance. This read was a page turner from the beginning. Follow Jessie Redmond Fauset as she navigates her dream of literary greatness and the literary dreams of those around her. Oh and let’s not forget her affair with W.E.B. Dubois (that’s the messy and chile they were bold). This is a must read.

Jessie Fauset isn't as well known as she should be and this novel by Victoria Christopher Murray gives great insight into the life of the woman who helped shape the Harlem Renaissance. Working as a literary editor for the NAACP's magazine, The Crisis, she helped not only publish but mentor some of the most important writers during the Harlem Renaissance. I loved learning about her backstory, her relationship with W.E.B. DuBois and just how wide her reach was in the literary world during her time. I hope through this book more people will learn about her extraordinary life and her own contributions to the literary canon.

Many thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the ARC.

It took me quite a while to review this because 1 I read it in tandem with the ARC they sent me, and 2 because I was incredulous of the way that I am enamored with knowledge of the Harlem Renaissance, and I have never heard of Jessie Fauset. I was appalled that I knew so much about this time, but I never even wondered about some of the most basic things like who gathered all these things together. I guess I always thought it was W.E.B. DuBois. Which upsets me because…. Well…. just read the book and you’ll see how Jessie’s entire life was over-shadowed by a man.

This is part of the reason I struggled with this review. My immediate action was to shout about DuBois and WTF he was doing, but I didn’t want that to be IT, you know? Jessie spent too much of her life behind him and I thought that was enough. So, I decided I’ll talk about it, but I wanted to talk about Jessie first. I LOVED her character. I love seeing strong, smart Black women flourishing in the things they do and love. And even in the times that people looked down on her, she knew what she wanted and kept at it. Even with everything against her. Her literary taste was impeccable and I can’t fathom the way she was able to seek out, find, and even edit the poets that she did. She was such a light and I can’t imagine if she had never made the trip to Harlem because of DuBois. I don’t know if I will ever be able to say enough thanks to Victoria Christopher Murray for teaching me about Jessie. Because the way they hid her, I don’t think I ever would have found out about her. She is truly an unsung hero of this time. And she deserves so much more.

The romance part of this was terrible tho lol I was so angry at her for not giving herself more credit. I kept hearing Kelly Price’s mom from her video in my ear every time they were alone together… “God is not going to give you somebody else’s husband.” She deserved so much more than being what she was to him. I hated that she didn’t know that she did. She let herself be overshadowed by all that he kept going through. And I didn’t feel like he deserved that. And I mean that lol I don’t know what she saw in him. And I was annoyed because I thought so highly of him lol I had no idea he was out here doing this. It changed my whole view of him, but I can still recognize who he was an intellectual. He was so smart and his literary taste was also amazing. There’s no other way they could have found all the poets and writers that they did. They made a good team. I just hated the TYPE of team they made. And I think what makes me the most mad about this is the fact that everyone knew but she still believed it. Ugh she could have done so much better.

My favorite thing about those tho was the history I learned from this book. When I tell you I underlined almost every line in this book! From people I had never heard of, to books I added to my TBR, to speeches/articles I looked up later. I wanted to know it all. The funniest part of this tho was the way I thought I was going to annotate this like regular. Baby I would have run out of the tabs I was using lol And then y’all know I usually put the stuff I Google in my Reading Journal, but this time I knew I couldn’t because I would have run out of room lol This book had so much info that I am so glad I opened myself up to. I don’t think I would have ever read this if I didn’t know it was about the Harlem Renaissance. I’m not a poet or writer, but being a reader really makes me even more impressed with what Fauset did. Because reading and recognizing the greats that she did?! Wow.

I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, (unless it’s Black) but this time I was INTO it. Why? The writing style. I had never read this author before so I didn’t know what to expect, but the way she presented the facts and the way she paid attention to even the smallest detail was mind blowing to me. I know since this is historical fiction a lot of the ground work was done for her, but it was pretty cool that I couldn’t actually pick out what happened and what didn’t before I got to the end. Like that party she threw “them.” I was appalled and just knew that didn’t happen. But in some ways it did. I loved the way Murray gave it her own artist twist. I love this and I can’t wait to see more people talk about it!

This was so much fun to read. I can’t say thank you enough to Berkley for an ARC of this title. I enjoyed learning about her so much. I can’t wait for more people to learn about her too. I hope we can spread the word of her and get people to know HER, just not her struggle that she went through with DuBois.

While my rating is low, it is purely based on my tastes. I believe Harlem Rhapsody will engage a wide audience, but it wasn’t for me. The topic, Jessie Fauset, the “literary midwife” of the 1920s, was phenomenal and I commend the author for her in depth research of the period and the people. I was, however, left wanting. I wanted to know so much more about how Fauset was involved with so many icons- Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Alain Locke, Nella Larsen, etc. These relationships were largely overshadowed by her love affair with W.E.B. Du Bois. Unfortunately, I just had no interest in their relationship and this apparently strong, women of “firsts” seemed to be unable to make any decision without thinking about how it related to Du Bois. With very little knowledge of Fauset, this may have been true and is possibly supported by the sources. But, her inner turmoil over the twists and turns of their interactions repetitively wore on took away from her significant literary accomplishments that I was excited to learn more about. I am not someone who enjoys romance novels and this falls very close to that genre. For readers who enjoy romance with some historical fiction mixed in, this will be a well-loved book!

I am grateful to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Victoria Christopher Murray’s Harlem Rhapsody.

This was such a great historical fiction that followed a few specific years of Jessie Redmon Fauset's life and career while working at The Crisis (the official publication of the. NAACP) with W.E.B. Dubois. Jessie was an incredible woman who played a vital role in the Harlem Renaissance. Among being extremely accomplished in her own education, career, and social life - Jessie also discovered those who would become some of the biggest names in literature of the time such as Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Nella Larson. She also penned her own novel during this time, which was wildly successful.

There is a lot of focus on her personal relationship/affair with W.E.B., who was married the entire time. While it did get a bit tiresome, I understand why it was such a large part of the book - because her position at the crisis was created for her by W.E.B., and their work together would have been completely different if it weren't for their personal relationship. I just hope it doesn't take away anyone's appreciation of all that she did on her own.

The writing was excellent and captivating, and I loved the author's note at the end too.

I enjoyed this novel. I had no knowledge of Jessie Redmond Fauset until this book. She should absolutely be a household name like many of the amazing talents that SHE discovered. I applaud the author for brining her life to the masses and telling her story with the upmost respect. While I was not a fan of the affair she had with WEB Du Bois but I understand the significance of their affair being in the story.

Historical fiction appeals to me as it offers an engaging way to become immersed in another world and time. Frequently, through this genre, I "meet" people whom I would not otherwise have known. That is certainly the case in the novel about Jessie Redmon Fauset. While I once saw some artwork from The Crisis and know of WEB DuBois, I was unfamiliar with Fauset. That is no longer the case as she and the Harlem Renaissance come to life in these pages.

Jessie comes to New York to take on a prestigious position at an important publication. She goes on to "discover" many writers that we read today as, for example, Langston Hughes and Nella Larson. What Jessie perhaps did not expect to discover was that she was attracted to the married DuBois.

How does Jessie's life play out? Find out in this intriguing work of historical fiction by an author who knows how to write in this genre. She has published other novels with Marie Benedict including one about Belle Greene, another important Black woman who was JP Morgan's personal librarian.

It is easy to recommend this title to those who enjoy historical fiction set in the not so distant past.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 February 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling historical fiction novel about Jessie Redmon Fauset, an African American literary editor and author. I had not heard about her before.

Set in the early 1920s in Harlem, New York, the story focused on Jessie’s professional and personal life and the interplay between them. She was a literary editor for the NAACP’s magazine (The Crisis), run by her married lover, and she was also an aspiring author. She faced many challenges as an African American woman working in the white, male-dominated, misogynistic, racist, publishing industry. She also had to contend with the social norms and conventions of the day.

I found the first person POV through Jessie’s eyes to be very effective and it made me feel like I knew and cared for this strong, intelligent, yet vulnerable woman. The descriptive writing pulled me into the story as I could picture the characters and setting in my mind.

It was very interesting to learn about the Harlem Renaissance and the role Jessie played as a literary editor and as a mentor in helping young Black writers (such as Langston Hughes) have the opportunity to be published authors. She did this in a time when publishing houses either didn’t publish Black authors or published novels written about African Americans by white authors.

Not only was this a compelling read but I also liked that it shone a light on the life of an important woman who had been lost to history.

Thanks to Berkley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I will post to my social media (including Bookstagram, Threads, X) and Amazon on pub day.

I was so looking forward to this book. A woman in history that I have never heard of before, W.E.B. Du Bois, the Harlem Renaissance. I could not sign up quick enough. The only problem was I could not get into the first 60% of the book. It dragged on and was mostly focused on Jessie and Will's affair. I wish there was something more to hook me. More in-depth details on what was going on in Harlem at that time. The characters did not blossom for me until the latter half of the book. When Jessie began to step away from Will and become a more independent woman, who began to dream for herself.

Jessie Redmon Fauset is a name in history that we should know. The first black woman to graduate from Cornell University, the literary editor of Du Bois' magazine The Crisis, known as the "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance", teacher, and author. During her time at The Crisis, she helped bring Langston Hughes to the masses. Jessie was determined to make the magazine a success and she gave it her heart and soul. She also gave her entire self to Du Bois for the first five years she was in New York. There were so many times she walked away and kept returning. No matter what she learned about the man's extracurricular activities. At the end she had the confidence to step into her life and make it her own. Doing what she loved, writing, and teaching.

I wanted to know Jessie and Will on a deeper level. I know the amount of research that goes into this type of book and am beyond excited that I have been introduced to this astonishing woman. She paved the way for countless writers, helped black authors become published, including herself. Thank you to Victoria Christopher Murray and Berkley Publishing for my gifted finished copy.