Harlem Rhapsody

By: Victoria Christopher Murray

Narrated by: 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

Critic reviews

“Murray's meticulous research brings this exciting period in American literary and artistic history into the spotlight and sheds a welcome light on an important and intriguing figure whose influence often goes unmentioned.”
—Booklist (starred review)

“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.

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.

Well done!

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

Loved every minute.

The narration was perfect.
Loved learning about Jessie Redmon Fauset. I never knew she existed. This story was so well told.
Masterful storytelling. Didn’t want it to end.
Another masterpiece by Victoria Christopher Murray!

A Great Story

Victory has written the story of Jessie very well. It is historical fiction, however it is based on real events. I’ve enjoyed listening to this audiobook the entire read.

The Historical Details

Great historical fiction love story. I was captured from beginning to end. Well done Mrs Murray

Grace! The story and writing.

Beautiful and timeless historical fiction. You will be there with grace and understanding. A triumph for the subject and the writer.

WHAT A STORY!

I really enjoyed this book. I love that we get to see what the historical GIANTS I learned about in school were like as real people. I also love the way this weaved into such an intimate story where you could understand the psyche of Jesse Redmond and how you can be so incredibly talented and struggle with unhealthy relationships and misogynoir. I love it.

The footprints of the harlemrenaissance

The characteristics as imagined of the male figures
Particularly as each man is present ed in the shadows of empowered matriarchs