I really wanted to fall deliciously deep into Rhapsody. But, this book was a DNF for me.
I feel extra bad about saying this, too, since author Mitchell James Kaplan sent a personalized note on lovely, thick, cream-colored stationary along with the ARC. But, I’m all about the honest reviews, so….here goes.
What’s Rhapsody about?
Set in Jazz Age NYC, Rhapsody is the story of composer George Gershwin’s love affair with Kay Swift, who was an accomplished musician in her own right.
Having played countless Gershwin medleys during my clarinet concert years, I’m no stranger to good ol’ George and his mesmerizing yet frustratingly complex compositions. I was immediately intrigued and couldn’t wait to dive in.
What I didn’t like about Rhapsody
Let’s start with the good: Kaplan is a talented author. Rhapsody is well-written and meticulously researched. If you’re looking for richly detailed historical fiction or an encyclopedia of music terminology, Rhapsody is the book for you.
However, a lot of the novel is just that: Facts. Terms. Research laid bare on the page. There was nothing drawing me into the story itself. I got no emotion, no connection with main character Kay, or even with the side characters you briefly meet within the first few chapters.
As a result, I felt like I was being told the story. I wasn’t immersed in the world that Kaplan painstakingly tries to create. I trudged my way through the beginning of Rhapsody, battling excruciatingly unnecessary amounts of detail and factoids.
And name-dropping. OMG, the name-dropping. Think of every single actor, musician, composer, Broadway star, artist, philosopher, and political leader who lived between 1920-1940. Now, dump them into (at least) the first 50 pages of Rhapsody. After awhile, reading this book felt like sitting next to That Person at a dinner party. You know the one. The person who’s desperately trying to convince you of how important he is by mentioning every celebrity he’s ever brushed past.
Should you read Rhapsody?
If you like music, musical composition, Jazz Age NYC, and ill-fated love affairs, feel free to disregard my book review and give Rhapsody a whirl. There’s every chance the story takes off after page 51.
I’m sorry I didn’t love your book, Kaplan. It was very kind of you to send it to me. To take the sting out of my book review, just remember that I’m a writer who’s trying to become published, and you’re an award-winning author of multiple novels. What the hell do I know?
Rhapsody by Mitchell James Kaplan will be available for sale on March 2, 2021 from Gallery Books. Although I received a complimentary advance copy of this book, all opinions expressed in this review are my own. I was not compensated in any way for this review or for any other promotion/publicity I’ve done related to this book.
I love your honesty. And I regret causing you so much pain. Be well. Mitchell
PS — I love your site and in my view you do a service for readers. If you did not have the right to respond honestly to what you read, that service would be valueless.
Mitchell, your comment is far kinder than I could have expected after that review — and, far kinder than I deserve. Thank you so much. I still wish you hadn’t read this post, but I’m honored that you did. You’re a class act. I wish you all the success in the world with this new book.