Book Summary and Reviews of Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

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Ricki_Aiello

Excellent historical fiction read
I enjoyed reading this book for several reasons. It was written with a deep sense of respect and knowledge for the two main characters - Du Bois and Fauset. Secondly, the story did not lag. Rather, the relationships highlighted this particular time in history driving the story forward. Both attributes enriched my education. I knew nothing about Dr. Du Bois and, of course, Jessis Fauset never appeared in my history course in high school or college. I'm planning on researching more about the organization, NAACP, and the lives of those who were impacted by its commitment to make a difference.

Emily_Bahhar

Beautiful love letter to the Harlem Renaissance
I had a feeling I would love this book and Victoria Christopher Murray did not let me down. Full disclosure of my absolute ignorance at not knowing who Jessie Redmon Fauset was, or that the book was about a real person.

In 1919, Jessie comes to Harlem to work as the literary editor of the NAACP’s The Crisis magazine, overseen by the charismatic W.E.B DuBois, with whom she’s years-deep in having an affair. Readers are taken through the next six years as Jessie comes into her own as a respected editor and writer.

Jessie is a powerhouse - unusual for the time as a woman and even more so as a Black woman - who stands her ground and advocates for others. So much so for the former that she can be considered to have discovered and shaped Langston Hughes and other Black poets/authors. She takes young Black authors under her wing with nothing expected in return. She simply believes in them, and knows the world needs to hear their words.

I was in awe of Jessie over and over again, and found myself wishing I could go back in time and just meet her. That I didn’t know she was a real person makes me love her even more.

Her kryptonite is her love for others: W.E.B., her step-mother, her writers, etc. Several times I shouted at my book, “girl, say no!” While she often speaks her mind and stands up for herself, in the early ‘20s, that could only go so far. Of course her relationship with DuBois takes center stage throughout the book I didn’t love those parts, mostly because he comes off as an egotistical creep, but it does seem that he truly cared for Jessie, albeit at the expense of his wife.

A veritable who’s who of the Harlem Renaissance literati, this book is as much a love letter to the time and music in Harlem as it is the writing world. Again my ignorance came into play as I didn’t know many of the real-life people in the book. Of course I know W.E.B. DuBois and Langston Hughes but not many of the others. The good news is that my inquisitive mind led me to looking up and learning more about them. The bad news is my inquisitive mind led me to looking up and learning more about them - taking me away from reading the actual book!

I really appreciated the author’s note and the historical note, which gave me so much insight into the characters and the times. Don’t skip on those parts!

Although the book is set more than 100 years ago, it felt so timely and relevant. Jessie’s passion for the written word and equal rights is more than admirable, it’s something we all could (should?) strive for. It’s easy to imagine Jessie today at the forefront of the BLM movement, speaking out against book bans, and taking up for the rights of others.

Thank you, BookBrowse, for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

Laurie_F

Fabulous Novel! Great Read!
Hands down, this is one of the best books I have reviewed in the many years I have been a member of Book Browse! Not only is the story, plot line, and characters mesmerizing, but the historical education of the Harlem Renaissance was spellbounding. There is so much we don't know until reading such a well-documented novel as this. I am motivated to read more and cannot wait until Victoria Christopher Murray's next book! P.S. I am thrilled she collaborates with one of my favorite historical fiction authors - Marie Benedict.

Janice_A

Harlem Rhapsody
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.

Joanne V. (Phoenix, AZ)

Harlem Renaissance
Firstly, thanks to Book Browse and Net Galley for this ARC! I enjoyed Victoria Christoper Murray and Marie Benedict's "The Personal Librarian" and looked forward to Ms. Murray's book, which she had mentioned briefly in an earlier interview with Marie Benedict. I admit to not knowing anything about Jessie Redmon Fauset or the Harlem Renaissance for that matter, so thank you for this enlightening and interesting read. I loved it and learned so much about the time period, the characters' and especially Jessie Fauset's influence on writer's that were so important to the Harlem Renaissance. Ms. Murray's research is impeccable and her notes at the end of the book were so interesting. This book should be highly recommended to Book Clubs and read by all women who are still, after all these years, struggling with all -isms in the workplace and in society. The book has opened up so many avenues for more reading for me - I especially want to read more about W.E.B Dubois, who was so influential at that time, but seemed to me to be a bit of a jerk. Thank you Victoria for this book!!

Dianne_S

Harlem Renaissance
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray recounts the story of Jessie Redmon Faust, the literary editor of The Crisis. This magazine, established by her mentor and lover, W.E.B. Dubois, under Faust's leadership becomes the preeminent voice of promising young black writers. The Crisis is both a literary and financial success.
Faust's success in her chosen field is always shadowed by her tumultuous relationship with the much older Dubois who alternately encourages and hinders her professional development. Her mother strongly disapproves of her daughter's affair, seeing it as immoral and a stain on her daughter's brilliance.

This is a wonderful overview of the literary accomplishments nurtured during the Harlem Renaissance. The Crisis provided these very talented black writers with their only hope of being published after being rejected by the white publishing community. Faust is depicted as a very talented writer who also is able to uncover and nurture the talent in her own literary circles. Yer despite her own many professional accolades, she is left conflicted by her affair with Dubois. The scenes when she is with his wife are fraught with the guilt Faust feels. Ultimately, her decision to end the affair feels like the best and only way for Faust to lead a happy life.

The book is therefore both a window into the immense talent nurtured during the Harlem Renaissance and a smaller, but equally important story of how one talented woman must leave a relationship to fulfill her own potential.

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