Book Club Pick: Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray
Growing up, the Harlem Renaissance was one of my favorite historical periods to learn about, but that section of the textbook was never long enough for my liking. There were brief mentions of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, but my education only scratched the surface of the expansive nature of this artistic movement. In Harlem Rhapsody, Victoria Christopher Murray immerses the reader in the exciting and energetic times of the Harlem Renaissance. As a Black woman writer and publisher, this book was absolutely thrilling to read.
The main character, Jessie Redmon Fauset, is the Literary Editor of The Crisis, a publication founded by legendary Black American scholar, historian, and Pan African Civil Rights activist, W.E.B. Du Bois. Jessie was an amazing editor. She was responsible for discovering and publishing some of the most promising names in Black literature, including Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, Anne Spencer, Claude McKay and many other famous Black writers. The story follows her secret love affair with W.E.B. Du Bois and their very public impact as leading figures in Black intellectual, activist, and literary circles. From revitalizing The Crisis, to imagining and creating The Brownie’s Book for Black children, and her own book There is Confusion, which was met with great success and critical acclaim, Jessie was without a doubt, a Black woman writer who opened the doors for many and was a marvel of her time.
Here’s an excerpt from her poem, La Vie C’est La Vie
“And there’s a man whose lightest word
Can set my chilly blood afire;
Fulfillment of his least behest
Defines my life’s desire.
But he will none of me, nor I
Of you. Nor you of her. ’Tis said
The world is full of jests like these.—
I wish that I were dead.” - Jessie Redmon Fauset
Could this poem be about W.E.B. Du Bois?! Well, if you like literary tea, you’re going to have to read this book and find out!
Harlem Rhapsody gets five stars from this Black woman writer. One thing I will say is that the portrayal of W.E.B. Du Bois might trigger some of us ladies on a healing journey from a narcissist because… whew! I spent a lot of time wishing Jessie would see the light about him while also understanding how powerfully persuasive a dynamic like theirs can be. But this thorn in my side provided ample drama. Have you ever heard of a mistress throwing an anniversary party for her side piece and his wife? Me neither! Ultimately, I don’t think this toxic love affair distracts the reader from how phenomenal Jessie is in her own right.
How to get the book:
Enter the Giveaway!
I’m doing a giveaway on Instagram! I got an extra copy! It could be yours!
Like & comment on our book club post on IG!
RSVP for the next Book club meeting!
2. Buy on Bookshop.org to support local bookstores! Here’s a link to the Spoken Black Girl List of favorites.
3. I love and support libraries, so I recommend using the Libby App to borrow the E-book or audiobook, if not making the trip to your local library to check it out. If you would like to buy the book, it’s on my Spoken Black Girl favs on Bookshop.org.
