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Harlem Rhapsody

In 1919, as civil and social unrest grips the country, there is a little corner of America, a place called Harlem where something special is stirring. Here, the New Negro is rising and Black pride is evident everywhere...in music, theatre, fashion and the arts. And there on stage in the center of this renaissance is Jessie Redmon Fauset, the new literary editor of the preeminent Negro magazine The Crisis. W.E.B. Du Bois, the founder and editor of The Crisis, has charged her with discovering young writers whose words will change the world. Jessie attacks the challenge with fervor, quickly 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, the writers become notable and magazine subscriptions soar. Every Negro writer in the country wants their work published in the magazine now known for its groundbreaking poetry and short stories. Jessie's rising star is shining bright....but her relationship with W.E.B. could jeopardize all that she's built. The man, considered by most to be the leader of Black America, 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. Their torrid and tumultuous affair is complicated by a secret desire that Jessie harbors - to someday, herself, become the editor of the magazine, a position that only W.E.B. Du Bois has held. In the face of overwhelming sexism and racism, Jessie must balance her drive with her desires. However, as she strives to preserve her legacy, she'll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success."--

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  • The Sip: Raspberry or rose dark cocoa
  • The Cookie: Chocolate-dipped shortbread
  • The Cozy: Soft throw, tissues and a stay-awhile reading setup
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.
VC
Victoria Christopher Murrary

Victoria Christopher Murray is a New York Times bestselling American author celebrated for her powerful historical fiction, contemporary women's fiction, and compelling stories centered on faith, family, identity, and the experiences of Black women. Born in Queens, New York, Murray has built a distinguished literary career creating emotionally rich narratives that explore personal relationships, difficult choices, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose. Her writing combines memorable characters with thoughtful examinations of race, ambition, friendship, and the social expectations that shape women's lives. Through both contemporary and historical storytelling, Murray brings depth and humanity to stories of women navigating extraordinary circumstances.

Murray is widely recognized for her acclaimed historical novels written with bestselling author Marie Benedict, including *The Personal Librarian* and *The First Ladies*. *The Personal Librarian* tells the remarkable story of Belle da Costa Greene, the influential librarian who helped build J. P. Morgan's prestigious collection while concealing her Black heritage in a racially divided society. *The First Ladies* explores the extraordinary friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, highlighting their efforts to advance racial equality and social change. Murray is also the author of *Harlem Rhapsody*, a historical novel inspired by Jessie Redmon Fauset, an influential editor and literary figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her extensive body of work also includes contemporary novels such as *The Ex Files*, *The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil*, and the *Seven Deadly Sins* series, which explore relationships, faith, temptation, and personal transformation.

For readers who appreciate richly researched historical fiction, compelling stories about influential Black women, and emotionally layered narratives of courage and determination, Murray offers an engaging and meaningful reading experience. Her books are especially suited to readers interested in African American historical fiction, Black women's history, literary fiction, contemporary women's fiction, inspirational fiction, family drama, and stories about friendship, identity, and social change. Through her storytelling, Murray celebrates the strength and complexity of Black women's experiences while illuminating the contributions of women whose influence has helped shape history.

See all book by Victoria Christopher Murrary

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