📅 March 27, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM EST
💻 Via Zoom
(Zoom link will be shared with all registered attendees)
Join us for our March Book Club gathering as we delve into Harlem Rhapsody, the powerful and vividly rendered new novel from Victoria Christopher Murray, acclaimed New York Times bestselling author and co-author of The Personal Librarian. With a 4.09 rating and more than 7,000 readers captivated, this 2025 release is already hailed as “a must-read” (Chanel Cleeton) and praised by Kate Quinn as “one of the best books of the year!”
This month, we step into early 20th-century Harlem—alive with rhythm, brilliance, and revolution—as we explore the extraordinary, complicated life of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the literary force whose editorial mastery helped fuel the Harlem Renaissance.
About the Book
Set in 1919, during a time of national upheaval and social transformation, Harlem Rhapsody drops us into a Harlem on the brink of cultural explosion. The arts are blossoming, Black pride is rising, and the world is about to witness an unprecedented flourishing of Black literature, music, fashion, and intellectual thought.
At the center of this awakening stands Jessie Redmon Fauset—new literary editor of The Crisis, the prominent magazine led by W.E.B. Du Bois. With unshakable vision, Jessie is tasked with discovering and nurturing the writers who will reshape American letters. She quickly identifies young talents who would become legends:
✨ Countee Cullen
✨ Langston Hughes
✨ Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her closest friends
Under Jessie’s brilliant leadership, The Crisis becomes the heartbeat of a new generation of Black artistry. Subscriptions soar, literary careers are born, and the magazine cements itself as a transformative cultural force.
But behind her public triumphs lies a deeply complex personal life. Jessie’s relationship with Du Bois—her mentor, her boss, and her lover—threatens everything she has built. Their affair is fraught with secrecy, desire, and a stark power imbalance, all intensified by his marriage and their fourteen-year age gap.
As Jessie’s star ascends, she must navigate the profound challenges of sexism, racism, ambition, and love—while confronting her own dreams of one day becoming the editor of The Crisis herself.
Harlem Rhapsody is a stirring, intimate, and unflinching portrait of a woman whose contributions helped spark a movement, yet whose legacy has too often been overshadowed.
What to Expect
During our discussion, we’ll explore:
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Jessie Redmon Fauset’s influence on the Harlem Renaissance
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The power dynamics within The Crisis and the literary world of the 1920s
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How Murray brings historical figures to life with emotional depth
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Themes of ambition, desire, identity, and legacy
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The hidden labor and brilliance of Black women in shaping cultural history
This promises to be a rich, reflective, and lively conversation driven by your insights and perspectives.
Who Should Join?
Everyone is welcome—whether you’ve been with us for years or this will be your very first meeting. If you love historical fiction, Black literature, women’s stories, or simply gathering in community over a compelling read, this discussion is for you.
RSVP Today
Secure your spot and join us virtually on March 27th at 7 PM. We can’t wait to see you and dive into this unforgettable story together!
Bookings
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