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
…more 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. (less)
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