Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I really enjoyed the author getting into the beautiful details of A'Lelia friendships and relationships with her mother, daughter, and husbands. I also really enjoyed the author showing the history of the times and how A'Lelia was impacting the times.

JOY GODDESS - I knew about Madam C. J. Walker but I never heard of her daughter A'Lelia. While Madam Walker was an amazing woman with what she accomplished in the era in which she lived, A'Lelia could not fill her mother's shoes. She chose the route of beauty and became a gifted party thrower. After a while, I became bored with the parties. What kept my interest was the descriptions of the people, the places, and the historical events during the first thirty-one years of the 1900s. The history of Madam Walker and A'Lelia, the history of America and the World, and the history of Harlem was intriguing to be seen through Black eyes and Black experiences. While A'Lelia admitted not being on par with her mother, she did contribute in her own way. Source: Netgalley. 4*

A'Lelia Walker is the daughter of millionaire entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, dubbed the "Joy Goddess of Harlem 1920s" by poet Langston Hughes. In a new biography by her namesake, A'Lelia Bundles tells the great inspiring story of her great grandmother. She was a fascinating figure in history who threw extravagant parties. Her salon helped define the Harlem Renaissance era. After inheriting her mother's haircare enterprise, A'Lelia became America's first high profile Black heiress.

Through extensive research and personal correspondence, this new biography tells a rich history that is inspiring to readers. A'Lelia shares the details of her great grandmother's glamorous life, radiant personality and business sense outside of her famous mother's legacy. Very well written! I recommend Joy Goddess for readers of all ages for a look into a lesser known Black history figure. Educate yourself and others by adding Joy Goddess to your summer reading list.

Happy Early Pub Day, A'Lelia Bundles! Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance will be available Tuesday, June 10.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

After reading Harlem Rhapsody, I knew I wanted to read more about this era, so I quickly picked this up. A'Lelia Walker was CJ Walker's only daughter, a philanthropist and supporter of the arts. The author just happens to be the blessed great granddaughter.

More than just a captivating portrait of a fascinating figure from the Harlem Renaissance, Joy Goddess is a masterclass in biographical storytelling. Bundles draws from an extraordinary archive of personal letters, photographs, documents, and interviews to create an immersive and intimate narrative. Her writing is both elegant and evocative, inviting readers to step into glittering salons, legendary parties, and deeply personal moments.

A’Lelia Walker, lives a life shaped by inheritance but not defined by it. Bundles shows us how A’Lelia carved out her own identity, embracing joy, culture, and connection in a rapidly changing world. With a keen eye for detail and historical nuance, Bundles places readers at the heart of Harlem's cultural heyday while never losing sight of the broader social challenges faced by Black Americans across class lines.

Although the Walker women did not live long lives, they lived brilliantly. A’Lelia’s story, in Bundles’ hands, is nothing short of radiant.

Thank you to Net Galley and Schribner for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a biography of A'Lelia Walker told by her great-granddaughter. I really enjoyed this book, and I learned a lot. The author did a great job of bringing the Harlem Renaissance alive. I liked reading about all the famous people that were prominent at this time like Langsdon Hughes. It was also interesting how A'Lelia tried to follow in her famous mother's footsteps. Even though she was not her mother, she still made her own mark. I recommend this book to all readers that like to read about this time in history. It is very well written with lots of interesting characters.

I believe no one but A'Lelia Bundles could have written this book. As her great-granddaughter, she had family lore and keepsakes to narrate A'Lelia Walker's story, as well as connections to individuals who knew her personally. However, the research does not end there, nor was it excessively reverent. Bundles examines her namesake (A'Lelia Walker) with a perspective, empathy, and a hint of judgment that conveys, "You want to know how we got? Let us reflect on some of the choices made by my foremothers—who were after all, human." Additionally, Walker is revealed through the eyes of others, including the infamous Carl Van Vechten novel. This book dovetails nicely with other popular media of 2025—that Van Vechten novel and this book would complement lists for those who enjoyed the movie, "Sinners." Furthermore, "Harlem Rhapsody" by Victoria Christopher Murray and this book share several characters, books, and events—I recommend reading them together for an enriched experience. The same applies to Tanisha Ford's "Our Secret Society."

"Joy Goddess" is a profound exploration of a complex woman who lived and thrived in America where such feats were challenging. In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, philanthropy, the New Negro Movement, and related subjects.

Truly enjoyed the story of how the lead character navigates thru the Harlem Renaissance area. The true never gave up is a motto we all can live by.

There is all kinds of information regarding the life of Sara Bredlove, more commonly known as Madam CJ Walker. Little is known about her daughter, A'lelia Walker. Her Great Granddaughter, A'leia Bundles has written such a moving and informative story about one of her ancestors, which little is known about her. This was such a beautiful read. Her contribution to many well known individuals during the Harlem Renaissance is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I especially loved how she lived life on her own terms, Anyone that enjoys non fiction and the Harlem Renaissance should have this book in your personal library when it releases.

I loved this because you can see how a woman's legacy reaches generations after generations and have stood tall and not bent since then.

Besides being a delectable biography of a socially important woman who worked, played, and loved during the Harlem Renaissance, "Joy Goddess" is an exceptionally researched book. A'Lelia Walker's great granddaughter is thorough, as she has so much first hand information from photos, letters, documents, and interviews. She is also a gifted writer. Readers will be delighted to attend the parties, artistic gatherings, intimate suppers and be astounded by the guest lists of notables at each one. Bundles takes us inside the homes, into the discussions, in the middle of the personal and professional strife that faced Black people, from the affluent achievers to those who struggle to make ends meet. As the daughter of Madame C. J. Walker, A'Lelia inherits both a company and a lifestyle, but it is clear from Bundles' biography that A'Lelia has her own path to forge as well. The Walker women do not have long lives, but it is hard to imagine anyone having a life more full!

I love the memoir. I heard about the story of Madam C.J. Walker. I now read more about her daughter A’Leila. The book is about the heiress's life after her mother’s passing. How she became an African-American heiress. There’s also other things in her story like marriages, divorces, and adopting a child.