Harlem Rhapsody

De: Victoria Christopher Murray

Narrado por: Robin Miles

“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.

©2025 Victoria Christopher Murray (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"“In tracing Fauset’s journey, Murray artfully re-creates the excitement and exhilaration of Harlem at the blossoming of its literary and cultural heyday.”—The Washington Post

“A winning portrait of Harlem Renaissance figure Jessie Redmon Fauset... Historical fiction fans will want to snatch this up.”
—Publishers Weekly

"If you like to learn something while lost in a gripping narrative, don't miss this historical fiction about the woman who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance. Jessie Redmon Fauset was the first Black woman to helm the Black literary powerhouse The Crisis, and was also founder W. E. B. Du Bois' lover. She's responsible for launching names like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and others, even as her success (and theirs) comes at a cost."
—People

Entertaining & Educational

At first I thought this was just another sad romance novel where an amazing, dynamic woman falls for the wrong, unavailable man but NO, this book is so much more than that.
As I listened on Audible it seemed like this story had to be true, there were things even the best authors couldn’t make up. A quick google search & I discovered this book was more than entertaining, it was completely educational too! During women’s history month, Jessie Redmon Fauset is a woman everyone should discover! Her role as the first literary editor of The Crisis, & The Brownies Book was groundbreaking in a time women, (let alone women of color,) did not hold those types of positions. She discovered, mentored & published iconic black poets like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen & Jean Tomer. Plus she published 4 novels portraying realistic & positive lives of Black Americans. Long story short, Victoria Christopher Murray’s historical fiction portrayal of Jessie’s life is worth the listen/read. The narrator, Robin Miles, has the perfect storytelling voice & keeps the listener engaged.

This story needed to be told!

I knew nothing about Ms. Jessie R. Fauset before Victoria Christopher Murray's novel. This story sat me in the middle of the 1920's Harlem and didn't let me go. I loved seeing historical black women in all their humanity. Hats off to Ms. Fauset for her contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and bravo to Ms. Victoria Christopher Murray for honoring her legacy.

Well done!

Character development is fully fleshed out. The time period is strongly integrated with the characters making a fascinating story feel real.

Historical fiction at its best!

What a beautiful way to honor Jessie Redmond Fauset and all she did for Black writers. I did not know of her before but she certainly deserves the acclaim, affair and all. We’re all human.

The story line stood out the most.

I really loved how the author took the lives of real people and gave them a new life.

Untold story

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. So much of this historical fiction was unknown to me. Jessie in particular I had no knowledge of. The other writers mentioned, I was familiar with their work. Glad I had a chance to know something about Jessie Redmon Faucet. Good read.

Excellent!!!

This is an amazing book! Stepping into the life of all these famous poets and writers (ie Langston Hughes) during the Harlem Renaissance was incredible. Great story! Narration was perfect! I could listen again. Can't say enough about this book. Get it!

The complications of the romantic interludes but it was actually a strength for them both and not a weakness

The story although fictional highlighted some denying of one’s race that hit home for me

What an opportunity to learn more about the Harlem Renaissance

I truly enjoyed learning about a moment in history that I thought I knew so much about! While it was frustrating being on the emotional roller-coaster of the relationship, the overall story was beautifully written and it felt like I was there!

Captivating

Victoria Christopher Murray did a remarkable job merging history & fiction. I learned so much about the icons I grew up hearing about but never really knew their stories. Jessie’s story will keep you turning its pages. It is both entertaining & enlightening. This book is a MUST read.