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Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

Harlem Rhapsody

by Victoria Christopher Murray

  • Critics' Consensus (12):
  • Readers' Rating (28):
  • Published:
  • Feb 2025, 400 pages
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There are currently 28 reader reviews for Harlem Rhapsody
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Laurie F. (Brookline, MA)

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. (Colfax, WI)

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 formore
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 ismore
Dianne S. (East Meadow, NY)

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 hermore
Mary S. (Bow, NH)

Midwife of the Harlem Renaissance
Victoria Christopher Murray has done it again. She has found yet another remarkable, but probably unknown to most, woman and celebrated her life in this well written piece of historical fiction. In this book, Harlem Rhapsody, the focus is on a woman who should be recognized by all, Jessie Redmon Fauset. Fauset introduced the world to such luminaries as Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen and Nella Larsen; and those are only a few of the more famous names that she discovered and published.

Jessie Redmon Fauset was a women ahead of her time. Highly educated - a graduate of Cornell and the Sorbonne (and the first Blackmore
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Vivian H. (Winchester, VA)

A Beautiful Story
Until I read this book I was unfamiliar with Jessie Redmon Fauset. Her trajectory during the Harlem Renaissance touched the core of my soul. This amazing woman overcame prejudice based on sex and race to promote the fledgling careers a brilliant black writers of the early 20th century. She was fearless,brave, talented, independent, brilliant and at heart a flawed human being like most of us. But, oh…what an insightful editor to bring to the public the poets and authors she discovered. Thank you, BookBrowse, for the opportunity to review such a seminal work.
Oel W. (Reddick, FL)

Masterful and Enlightening
Sexism…as a woman coming of age in the 60s is a topic I am quite familiar with….however sexism coupled with racism is a whole different ball game, one that for me as a white woman I ocan somewhat empathize with, but not totally. Authors like Ms Murray can help provide that understanding and increase our knowledge of the vast differences in the struggle to become the best you can be in the face of not just one but two "isms".

The author took me to a time and place Ive never been and provided a very insightful look at a time and place that helps in understanding where we are now and how much further we need to go.

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Phyllis R. (Rochester Hills, MI)

Be ready to learn about Harlem Renaissance.
After reading Victoria Christopher Murray's co authoring several books with Marie Benedict, I was interested in how shoe would write her own story. I was not disappointed in her novel about Jessie Redmon Feuset and WEB DuBois and many others involved in the Harlem Renaissance. Murray did extensive research to make the time come alive and Jessie's work as literary editor for The Crises which is very readable. She also encouraged young writers by publishing young authors in The Crisis such as Langston Hughes; however she harbors a deep secret with her relationship with DuBois which she hides from her family and co-more

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