Review by Booklist Review
Tate's newest work of biographical fiction, following The Queen of Sugar Hill (2024), brings overdue attention to the life of jazz pianist and civil rights activist Hazel Scott. A piano prodigy who became known for "jazzing the classics," Scott succeeded Billie Holiday as the headliner at the integrated nightclub Café Society and later became the first African American woman to host her own television show. A lifelong activist, she spoke out against segregation and racial prejudice in Hollywood productions and testified against the House Un-American Activities Committee, jeopardizing her film and TV careers. While the novel follows Scott through these highs and lows, it centers her turbulent relationship with Harlem preacher and politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr. The couple's affair and subsequent marriage, just days after his divorce, caused a scandal in Harlem, and Powell's expectation that she leave the nightclub circuit and prioritize her role as a pastor's wife quickly strained their marriage. Tate's portrait of an African American icon will resonate with fans of Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody (2025) and Tiffany L. Warren's The Unexpected Diva (2025).
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Tate's latest biographical novel (following The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel) brings to life the historical figure Hazel Scott--brilliant pianist, Hollywood actor, and fearless civil rights advocate--and is set against the glamour and grit of 1940s Harlem. At just 23, Hazel commands the stage and the public eye, attracting the attention of the charismatic (and married) preacher-politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Their magnetic yet turbulent romance unfolds in New York City amid smoky jazz clubs, political rallies, and shifting cultural tides. Hazel's internal conflict--balancing creative ambition, public scrutiny, and a complex love affair--drives the novel's emotional core. Tate blends fact and fiction with elegance, incorporating depictions of historical luminaries (Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin) and rendering period detail with confidence. Her prose is vivid yet controlled, evoking both the intoxicating highs of fame and the private costs of defying societal norms. VERDICT A captivating, emotionally resonant portrait of a singular woman who refused to be diminished, this novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction, jazz history, and strong women protagonists.--Tahira Ahmad
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A fictional retelling of the life of famous jazz musician Hazel Scott, tracing the trajectory of her career, family life, and political activism. The novel opens in 1943, as Hazel Scott performs at Café Society, a famous New York City night club where seating was integrated and customers of all races were treated equally. Sitting in the crowd is Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., a well-known pastor and up-and-coming politician. He can't take his eyes off Hazel, and it's obvious he's smitten. The only problem is he's married to someone else. As Adam begins to pursue Hazel, she wonders if she can stomach being the other woman and whether a more serious relationship might derail her career. The book follows Hazel and Adam as their relationship deepens, chronicling Hazel's meteoric rise as well as Adam's ascent to political power. Not all members of Adam's church community are as taken with Hazel as he is, concerned about the perceived morals of a nightclub performer. Hazel, meanwhile, worries that getting too close to Adam will jeopardize her hard-earned momentum. As an activist for racial equality who refuses to play at segregated venues, Hazel knows her career is about far more than earning a living. The question, however, is whether turmoil in her personal life will undermine everything she's worked for. With appearances from cultural figures including Billie Holiday and Langston Hughes, the book is full of historical detail from the era. Unfortunately, at times it feels more like a history lesson than a gripping story. The conflicts experienced by the main characters don't surface until late in the novel, leaving the early portions feeling slow and diffuse. Even so, the novel offers a vivid portrait of a significant figure in American history while exploring deeper personal issues like infidelity, ambition, and self-doubt. An informative tale about a once-famous musician and activist that will appeal to history buffs. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
