Harlem Rhapsody
Modern Age |
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![]() Harlem Rhapsody
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American History > Modern Age > African American History
“A gripping narrative, don't miss this historical fiction about the woman who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance.”—People Magazine
“A page turner and history lesson at once, Harlem Rhapsody reminds us that our stories are our generational wealth.”—Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage (Oprah’s Book Club Pick)
She found the literary voices that would inspire the world…. The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.
In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all.
W. E. B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, is not only Jessie’s boss, he’s her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Amidst rumors of their tumultuous affair, Jessie is determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenge of discovering young writers with fervor, finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie’s leadership, The Crisis thrives…every African American writer in the country wants their work published there.
When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it’s clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.
Emily's Review
I loved that this book introduced me to a history I didn't know much about. I have read a bit about the Harlem Renaissance, but somehow, I'd never heard of Jessie Redmon Fauset. So, I was excited to read about her. It is wild that I'd never heard of her before now because she influenced so many famous writers—Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Nella Larsen! Without Jessie Redmon Fauset, there would be no Harlem Renaissance!
This story was well-researched, and I feel like I learned a lot. I've added a bunch of books to my tbr as well.
Now, the downside is that the pacing of this book is slow. It took me weeks to read it. It wasn't dull, but it also wasn't necessarily holding my interest. Also, a considerable part of the plot of this novel is about Fauset's affair with W.E.B. Du Bois - a married man. I don't like reading about adultery - it's something that will often ruin a book for me. So, while it is historical and needed to be included, I wish it wasn't such a big part of the story.
I definitely recommend this book. It will work well for many people. If you enjoy reading about lesser-known histories and women who have often been overlooked historically, this is worth picking up!
Other Similar Books
Other suggestions on the subject of the Harlem Renaissance.
- The Harlem Renaissance: An Interactive History Adventure (by: Lassieur, Allison, MG)
- Harlem Rhapsody (by: Murray, Victoria Christopher, A)