ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
RHAPSODY
Available March, 2021
from Gallery Books / Simon & Schuster
“In Rhapsody, Mitchell James Kaplan brings to lyrical life the romance between Kay Swift and George Gershwin. A gifted musician in her own right, Kay was no mere accompanist to Gershwin’s genius; she was a true partner, unfortunately little remembered today. Kaplan’s vivid prose and empathetic characterization shines a spotlight on this remarkable woman who contributed so much to American music.”
—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and Mistress of the Ritz
“A luminous journey through the jazz age in fast-paced New York City, Rhapsody details the love affair between Kay Swift, composer and restless society wife, and the brilliant but elusive George Gershwin. Kay first heard him playing his ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ but she was married to a wealthy man and Gershwin could be faithful only to his own genius. Still, they gave fire to each other’s music until nothing could stop his meteoric success, or their passionate love for each other, but time. I was utterly swept away.”
—Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award–winning author of Claude and Camille and The Physician of London
“We all know Gershwin, but how many know he was ‘the man behind the woman,’ the conflicted, extraordinary Katharine ‘Kay’ Swift? Mitchell James Kaplan illuminates her in Rhapsody, bringing his impressive knowledge of history, composition, and the heart’s whims to bear on this shining rendition of Swift and Gershwin’s star-crossed love.”
—Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of Z and A Good Neighborhood
“Mitchell James Kaplan’s Rhapsody shines a blazing light on the celebrated George Gershwin, uncovering the man behind the legend through the story of the woman he loved, Kay Swift, a brilliant musician caught in the swiftly moving mores of New York’s Jazz Age. Rich with history and packed with intricate detail, Rhapsody soars.”
—Randy Susan Meyers, bestselling author of The Widow of Wall Street and Waisted
“Mitchell James Kaplan pens a lilting, jazzy ballad as catchy as a Gershwin tune, bringing to vibrant life the complicated relationship between classically trained composer Kay Swift and freewheeling star George Gershwin. Their musical bond is as powerful as their passion, and jazzsoaked, gin-drenched Broadway is their playground through the tumultuous years of the Great War and Prohibition. Rhapsody will have you humming, toe-tapping, and singing along with every turn of the page.”
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress
—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue and Mistress of the Ritz
“A luminous journey through the jazz age in fast-paced New York City, Rhapsody details the love affair between Kay Swift, composer and restless society wife, and the brilliant but elusive George Gershwin. Kay first heard him playing his ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ but she was married to a wealthy man and Gershwin could be faithful only to his own genius. Still, they gave fire to each other’s music until nothing could stop his meteoric success, or their passionate love for each other, but time. I was utterly swept away.”
—Stephanie Cowell, American Book Award–winning author of Claude and Camille and The Physician of London
“We all know Gershwin, but how many know he was ‘the man behind the woman,’ the conflicted, extraordinary Katharine ‘Kay’ Swift? Mitchell James Kaplan illuminates her in Rhapsody, bringing his impressive knowledge of history, composition, and the heart’s whims to bear on this shining rendition of Swift and Gershwin’s star-crossed love.”
—Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of Z and A Good Neighborhood
“Mitchell James Kaplan’s Rhapsody shines a blazing light on the celebrated George Gershwin, uncovering the man behind the legend through the story of the woman he loved, Kay Swift, a brilliant musician caught in the swiftly moving mores of New York’s Jazz Age. Rich with history and packed with intricate detail, Rhapsody soars.”
—Randy Susan Meyers, bestselling author of The Widow of Wall Street and Waisted
“Mitchell James Kaplan pens a lilting, jazzy ballad as catchy as a Gershwin tune, bringing to vibrant life the complicated relationship between classically trained composer Kay Swift and freewheeling star George Gershwin. Their musical bond is as powerful as their passion, and jazzsoaked, gin-drenched Broadway is their playground through the tumultuous years of the Great War and Prohibition. Rhapsody will have you humming, toe-tapping, and singing along with every turn of the page.”
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Huntress