REVIEW: ReShonda Tate’s WITH LOVE FROM HARLEM is a vibrant, evocative exploration of the life and legacy of Hazel Scott, the trailblazing Trinidadian American jazz and classical pianist. With a blend of historical insight and imaginative storytelling, Ms. Tate crafts a narrative that not only introduces Miss Scott to new audiences but also pays homage to her indelible impact on music, culture, and civil rights.
Harlem, New York pulses at the center of the novel, serving as both a backdrop and a character in its own right. Ms. Tate’s Harlem captures the energy and complexity of a neighborhood where Miss Scott found her voice and her stage. There are vivid scenes of Scott performing in legendary venues and collaborating with fellow artists whose names you will at once know. It’s also in Harlem that Hazel’s romance with the iconic Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.,the charismatic preacher and future congressman, unfolds. I love how Ms. Tate paints their relationship as both passionate and problematic. After Hazel’s tumultuous marriage to Congressman Powell, Paris emerges as a sanctuary-a place of escape, self-discovery, and artistic rebirth. Paris is portrayed as a geographical shift and a metaphor for transformation.
There is a huge supporting cast of characters straight out of “who’s who.” Billie Holliday, Quincy Jones, Nina Simone, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin enrich the story, and places Hazel in a vibrant community of Black excellence. Their appearances in the story are more than cameos. They function as touchstones that deepen the novel’s study of art, activism, and fellowship.
The balance between fact and fiction is handled with care. Ms Tate’s storytelling is a thoughtful balance between historical authenticity and novelistic flair. The novel succeeds as an introduction for those unfamiliar with Hazel Scott, illuminating her struggles and triumphs while offering a tribute for those who know her legacy.
WITH LOVE FROM HARLEM is a moving, insightful tribute to Hazel Scott and the world she lived in. The author’s storytelling recognizes both the significance of Hazel’s contributions and the complexities of her personal life. You will find much to appreciate in this engaging story. I highly recommend it for readers seeking a rich blend of history, romance, artistic inspiration, politics, and social progress.
1 February 2026 | romcol@caribsurf.com
Harlem, New York pulses at the center of the novel, serving as both a backdrop and a character in its own right. Ms. Tate’s Harlem captures the energy and complexity of a neighborhood where Miss Scott found her voice and her stage. There are vivid scenes of Scott performing in legendary venues and collaborating with fellow artists whose names you will at once know. It’s also in Harlem that Hazel’s romance with the iconic Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.,the charismatic preacher and future congressman, unfolds. I love how Ms. Tate paints their relationship as both passionate and problematic. After Hazel’s tumultuous marriage to Congressman Powell, Paris emerges as a sanctuary-a place of escape, self-discovery, and artistic rebirth. Paris is portrayed as a geographical shift and a metaphor for transformation.
There is a huge supporting cast of characters straight out of “who’s who.” Billie Holliday, Quincy Jones, Nina Simone, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin enrich the story, and places Hazel in a vibrant community of Black excellence. Their appearances in the story are more than cameos. They function as touchstones that deepen the novel’s study of art, activism, and fellowship.
The balance between fact and fiction is handled with care. Ms Tate’s storytelling is a thoughtful balance between historical authenticity and novelistic flair. The novel succeeds as an introduction for those unfamiliar with Hazel Scott, illuminating her struggles and triumphs while offering a tribute for those who know her legacy.
WITH LOVE FROM HARLEM is a moving, insightful tribute to Hazel Scott and the world she lived in. The author’s storytelling recognizes both the significance of Hazel’s contributions and the complexities of her personal life. You will find much to appreciate in this engaging story. I highly recommend it for readers seeking a rich blend of history, romance, artistic inspiration, politics, and social progress.
1 February 2026 | romcol@caribsurf.com
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE