Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance

by A'Lelia Bundles

A vibrant, deeply researched biography of A’Lelia Walker—daughter of Madam C.J. Walker and herself a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance—written by her great-granddaughter.

Dubbed the “joy goddess of Harlem’s 1920s” by poet Langston Hughes, A’Lelia Walker, daughter of millionaire entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker and the author’s great-grandmother and namesake, is a fascinating figure whose legendary parties and Dark Tower salon helped define the Harlem Renaissance.

After inheriting her mother’s hair care enterprise, A’Lelia would become America’s first high profile black heiress and a prominent patron of the arts. Joy Goddess takes readers inside her three New York homes—a mansion, a townhouse, and a pied-a-terre—where she entertained Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Paul Robeson, Florence Mills, James Weldon Johnson, Carl Van Vechten, W.E.B. DuBois, and other cultural, social and intellectual luminaries of the Roaring Twenties.

Now, based on extensive research and Walker’s personal correspondence, her great-granddaughter creates a meticulous, nuanced portrait of a charismatic woman struggling to define herself as a wife, mother, and businesswoman outside her famous mother’s sphere. In Joy Goddess, A’Lelia’s radiant personality and impresario instincts—at the center of a vast, artistic social world where she flourished as a fashion trendsetter and international traveler—are brought to vivid and unforgettable life.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Race, Audiobook, New York

384 pages, Hardcover

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

A’Lelia Bundles is the author of Joy Goddess: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance (June 2025 Scribner), about her great-grandmother whose parties and arts patronage helped define the era.
She has written four nonfiction books about her entrepreneurial great-great-grandmother, including On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, a New York Times Notable Book, a BCALA Honor Book and a Hurston/Wright Finalist and recipient of the Association of Black Women Historians' 2001 Letitia Woods Brown Prize for the best book on Black women's history. This biography also inspired “Self Made,” the four-part Netflix series starring Octavia Spencer. A former network television news executive and producer at ABC News and NBC News, she is a former vice chairman of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees, a former chair of the National Archives Foundation board and on the advisory boards of the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute, the March On Film Festival and Columbia Global Reports.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A'Lelia was a Black heiress in a time when that wasn't a thing. She was a nepobaby in a time when only white kids got to be that. She had no templates for how to behave. She was the daughter of one of the biggest Black celebrities of her day.

A'Lelia led a interesting life. She lacked her mother's business mind and had terrible taste in men. She let people take advantage of her but she was still one of the most important people of the Harlem Renaissance. She bankrolled it. She opened up her home to all the great Black artists. I think its safe to say that without her you probably would never have heard of Langston Hughes or other Harlem Renaissance greats.

A must read for lovers of Black History

[Sue Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides being a delectable biography of a socially important woman who worked, played, and loved during the Harlem Renaissance, "Joy Goddess" is an exceptionally researched book. A'Lelia Walker's great granddaughter is thorough, as she has so much first hand information from photos, letters, documents, and interviews. She is also a gifted writer. Readers will be delighted to attend the parties, artistic gatherings, intimate suppers and be astounded by the guest lists of notables at each one. Bundles takes us inside the homes, into the discussions, in the middle of the personal and professional strife that faced Black people, from the affluent achievers to those who struggle to make ends meet. As the daughter of Madame C. J. Walker, A'Lelia inherits both a company and a lifestyle, but it is clear from Bundles' biography that A'Lelia has her own path to forge as well. The Walker women do not have long lives, but it is hard to imagine anyone having a life more full!

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! I liked the story telling and the subject matter was very interesting. As to the subject, it is nice to read about people adjacent to those that are famous in general. You can get a better feel of the times. A’Lelia Walker’ life is not an ordinary life and it is centered on a period I hear referenced but, other that movies and television, know little of.

The structure is mostly linear but is lose enough to veer back or forward if needed. The photographs in the body of the book are well chosen. An appendix following up on the people in Walker’s life is included and fills out the story in a nice way. The Notes and bibliography are great. There is not index, which is disappointing since this is a bibliography.

The advance copy that I read does not have the 8 page photo insert mentioned on the back cover. Also, the publicity contact email on the back cover bounces back. Both things were reported to the publisher, but other than a thank you for noticing these errors, I have heard nothing. (I will edit this section of they ever respond.) On a similar order, the Notes section lacks page numbers that I expect will be there in the final version, since there are place holders in the form of 000.

Double disclaimer: I won this book in a #GoodreadsGiveaway and it is an advance copy. This is a voluntary and honest review.

[Jessica Milliner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the memoir. I heard about the story of Madam C.J. Walker. I now read more about her daughter A’Leila. The book is about the heiress's life after her mother’s passing. How she became an African-American heiress. There’s also other things in her story like marriages, divorces, and adopting a child.

[Gabriella · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can tell that this book was really a labor of love for its author, and one that has been a lifetime (or maybe multiple lifetimes) in the making. You love to see stuff like that—I mean, who else gets to write a whole biography about THEIR great-grandma!!! What a dream. It’s also great that A’Lelia Bundles got to speak with so many people who were around to witness parts of her great-grandmother’s life. For that to have been possible, some of these interviews must have been 30 or even 40 years old. It reminded me of what Isabel Wilkerson did with The Warmth of Other Suns, like I am so glad somebody went and talked to these people while we still had them with us!!

🍅 I just didn’t care…
Unfortunately, while I respect Bundles’ efforts, I didn’t enjoy this book. I just never became interested in the luxury porn, and I wasn’t moved by Madame and A’Lelia’s political involvement. The business stuff was somewhat interesting, but by the second half, we only heard what was going wrong through these hectic letters from Ransom—we weren’t able to fully see the growth of the company from where it started in those earlier chapters. Maybe that’s a different book, but something I CERTAINLY expected from this book was more about the parties!!! Before Joy Goddess, all I knew about A’Lelia Walker was that she hosted events that were safe havens for queer people. Sadly, Bundles’ event descriptions are rather dull, and there was little mention of her guests’ sexualities. Like we get more about the culture vulture Carl Van Vechten’s time in Harlem than about Black queer Harlemites. My friend and buddy reader, Adriana, made a good point that this could be because Bundles only wanted to cover things with a definitive historical record (instead of rumors.) Even so, the book is worse for it.

💭 Assorted takes
I did appreciate the discussion of like what it meant for a Black person to be born as a Reconstruction baby. This is the sort of generational analysis I want more authors to be doing for Gen X!!! It sucked that Carl Van Vechten’s book about Harlem sold more than any actual Black novel from that time, but I guess it puts things into perspective. The forced marriage sagas also helped contextualize the current season of Gilded Age. Finally, it was sobering to see the physical toll that running a corporation took on many people in this book. It reminded me of 2025, when our health conditions and care are still very linked to this oppressive and unsustainable economy. As several of my loved ones deal with various health conditions on top of job insecurity, while other loved ones are ABSURDLY tuned into Coach Prime’s diagnosis, this stuff has been heavy on my mind. Like even when Black folks are doing relatively well (or are all-out millionaires like in this book), there is no true escape from the ravages of capitalism. I wish more books on bougie Black people would talk about stuff like this, like how you can’t outearn or overachieve the troubles of our world.

📚 Recommendations
I’ll close with some books that feel connected to this story, but that I liked a bit more. For a livelier, fictional story about this period, try Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. For historical fiction about Black lesbians being messy in Civil Rights era Atlanta, try These Heathens by the generational talent Mia McKenzie. For a creative portrait of turn-of-the-century Harlem that is more focused on the “everywoman”, you can’t go wrong with Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman. Ann Petry's The Street is set in 1940s Harlem, but the novel feels right in line with Wayward Lives. Lastly, back in undergrad, I read LaShawn Harris’ book Sex Workers, Psychics, and Numbers Runners: Black Women in New York City's Underground Economy. This book is also about the same period in Harlem, and shows some of the women A’Lelia might have crossed paths with (even if she was too respectable to admit it.) I can’t remember for certain, but I am 95% sure this book is where I first heard about Carl Van Vechten. Even if he wasn’t in this book, Harris’ discussion of White New Yorkers’ treatment of “black urban spaces…as the ‘devil’s playground, an easy prey for depraved joy-seeking whites.’” will certainly ring a few bells after Bundles’ book.

🤬 My final piece of hate for the day
I actually lied, I want to close by saying FUCK WEB ONCE AGAIN!!!! His “memorial” remarks towards A’Lelia were just unfathomably rude, and I don’t know why anyone would feel like that needed to be said. Maybe I would recommend people read this book, if only for that drama!!!

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is all kinds of information regarding the life of Sara Bredlove, more commonly known as Madam CJ Walker. Little is known about her daughter, A'lelia Walker. Her Great Granddaughter, A'leia Bundles has written such a moving and informative story about one of her ancestors, which little is known about her. This was such a beautiful read. Her contribution to many well known individuals during the Harlem Renaissance is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I especially loved how she lived life on her own terms, Anyone that enjoys non fiction and the Harlem Renaissance should have this book in your personal library when it releases.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’ve explored the history of the Harlem Renaissance through a few documentaries and books. However, Joy Goddess tops them all. Written by a descendant of Madam C.J. Walker, this book focuses on the daughter of Walker, A’Lelia. She was herself a force of nature. She was also an important part of Harlem’s history.

Joy Goddess features themes of identity, legacy, and challenging societal norms, as A’Lelia navigates her large inheritance. She tackles wealth, the segregation of the 1920s, artistic patronage, and Black excellence. She calculated every move, knowing that people were looking to her and up to her. She has her own legacy just as admirable as her mother.

I appreciated the index at the end. It follows up on the majority of the people in the book. There’s also a bibliography for further reading, which I’ve already requested a few books on the Libby app.

[LiteraryMarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A'Lelia Walker is the daughter of millionaire entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, dubbed the "Joy Goddess of Harlem 1920s" by poet Langston Hughes. In a new biography by her namesake, A'Lelia Bundles tells the great inspiring story of her great grandmother. She was a fascinating figure in history who threw extravagant parties. Her salon helped define the Harlem Renaissance era. After inheriting her mother's haircare enterprise, A'Lelia became America's first high profile Black heiress.

Through extensive research and personal correspondence, this new biography tells a rich history that is inspiring to readers. A'Lelia shares the details of her great grandmother's glamorous life, radiant personality and business sense outside of her famous mother's legacy. Very well written! I recommend Joy Goddess for readers of all ages for a look into a lesser known Black history figure. Educate yourself and others by adding Joy Goddess to your summer reading list.

Happy Early Pub Day, A'Lelia Bundles! Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance will be available Tuesday, June 10.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and interesting history of the daughter of Madam CJ Walker and the 1920s Harlem arts scene. The number of names dropped can be overwhelming for those generally unfamiliar with that era of history, but an overall engaging and sympathetic read.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 years ago my daughter brought Madame CJ Walker to life in a living wax museum of famous Hoosiers (Indiana, USA). I had never heard of her but my daughter's research, and memorization intrigued me and obviously stuck because I recognized A'Lelia's name in the subtitle immediately. What a fascinating life they lived while both dying young. It was also interesting to learn of the culture and history around this time period.

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book centers around A’Leila, the daughter of Madam C.J. Walker, and explores her life following her mother’s death. It details her journey as an African-American heiress, along with various aspects of her life, including marriages, divorces, and the adoption of a child.

Madam C.J. Walker has been a figure in history for so long that this was a great memoir about her daughter’s life.

I recommend this book!

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. It did not influence my review.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a detailed, well-researched biography of A'Lelia Walker, daughter of Madame CJ Walker, the famous entrepreneur and hair care product maven.

I learned a fair amount about CJ Walker (unknown to me-- the extent to which she truly had a national enterprise, not only in product sales but also beauty schools) as well as about A'Lelia's life.
As someone interested in the 20's and 30's in general and the Harlem Renaissance in particular, it was an interesting read. A'Lelia was a socialite who struggled to a certain extent to follow in her mother's footsteps. While she was able to manage the business after her mother's death, she relied even more on Ransom's assistance and clearly did not have CJ Walker's financial sense. She spent freely on social events, maintained magnificent homes, and supported Black artists. But her marriages were largely unsuccessful, and she didn't have the same following as her famous mother. In addition, she had to contend with the 1929 crash and the impact it had on the business as well as her personal finances.

I did appreciate the frankness with which Bundles discusses A'Lelia's relationship with Miriam, and the possibility that it could have been sexual. Regardless of her personal orientation, A'Lelia was clearly open to queer relationships among her friends and guests. It was fun to hear that she hung around with people like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen, but some of the continual name-dropping became tedious. Bundles shares a lot of detail about specific events, attendees, decor, sponsors, etc. that really seems unnecessary.

Although this increased my depth of knowledge about the era, and certainly about the wealthier black community, A'Lelia remains a bit of an enigma. There didn't seem to be any first person accounts (letters, diaries, etc.) from A'Lelia, so it's hard to feel that I really came to 'know' her. Rather, this feels more observational than intimate.

Not a bad book, just longer than it needed to be. I listened to the audio version, which was OK.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent this book free from from a goodreads giveaway.
I very much like non-fiction when it is written well.
I loved learning about the people this is about. Our history is so interesting.
Sadly, my memory is imperfect, probably due to age.
I tried to write this review before I forgot my two main points, but I've forgotten one already.
One thing I very much dislike in a non-fiction book is statements like "the big city left her head spinning with the fast moving traffic and sky scraping towers", etc.
If that is an actual thought the person had, make it a quote, show the source, otherwise it feels like the author is adding their own thoughts and feelings the subject may have never had. I want to know about the subject, not the author, at least in a non-fiction book about that subject.
Oh, just remembered the second point...nope, lost it again.
names, that's the second point. There are a lot of name thrown at the reader in short order. This is probably my own defect, but if page one mentions 5 names and short detail, it is unlikely that I'm going to remember every other detail of that person several pages later. Several chapters in, there are names being mentioned like "when she left Porter, she went to Alaska" (not an actual quote, just an example) I can't remember who "Porter" was. That name hadn't been mentioned or described in a while, and I couldn't remember when I had read it, so it was hard to go back and find who we are talking about. I know my personal opinions matter little to authors, but I would much rather it describe the person than use a name, like "her abusive first husband" vs "Porter". If that makes sense. Or at least, a descriptor, rather than a name, if that person hasn't been mentioned in a while.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this at the library and realized that I did not know much about the Harlem Renaissance. And while I had watched a Netflix limited series about Madam C.J. Walker, I hadn't looked any further. So when I saw this book was available and that it was about Madam C.J. Walker's daughter, I was instantly intrigued.

A’Lelia Walker (both C.J. Walker's daughter and the author's great-grandmother and namesake) became the first high profile black heiress plus a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Among other figures, Walker's entertained and interacted with the likes of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Paul Robeson, Florence Mills, James Weldon Johnson, Carl Van Vechten and W.E.B. DuBois. And she herself was a figure in the Harlem Renaissance.
We also learn more about the younger's Walker's personal life, including marriages/divorces and adopting a child.

While it was interesting to see these various figures interact and how this was important for the Harlem Renaissance, overall I thought it was really dull. Maybe it is because of my lack of familiarity with the work, maybe it just wasn't for me. But it felt like a lot of of names and at times it maybe felt a bit like author Bundles was trying to make A’Lelia Walker more important to the current events than she really was?

I'm sure for the right reader this will be a good read, perhaps if you also watch Netflix's 'Self-Made'. Probably a good book for those interested in any of the figures mentioned, the Harlem Renaissance specifically, in the Walkers, etc. For a casual reader who doesn't know as much or isn't looking for this information specifically, this might be better as a library borrow or bargain buy.

Borrowed from the library and that was best for me.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Langston Hughes called her “the joy goddess of Harlem’s 1920s,” when “the Negro was in vogue.”

She was born to a struggling single mother whose ingenuity catapulted her from a small business owner into a millionaire and social leader.

With exquisite taste and great social intelligence, she orchestrated dazzling social venues and events. Her talent for elegance and beauty impressed high society and the public.

She was unlucky in love, with precarious health, and aware that she was not as savvy a business woman as her mother had been.

Joy Goddess vividly portrays an extraordinary woman in extraordinary times, transporting readers back into history. Growing up with A’Lelia’s heirlooms, the author was fascinated by her great-grandmother, daughter of self-made millionaire Madam Walker.

A’Lelia believed in the power of the creative arts to “heal, enlighten, and entertain.” Like her mother, she patronized the arts and groups advancing racial advancement. She created interracial events and socialized with queer and gay folk. Her social circle was filled with names we still recognize: Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Walter White, Alfred Knopf, Paul Robeson, W. E. B. DuBois, Eubie Blake.

A’Lelia struggled to balance her personal gifts and sorrows with the demands of running a large business. She married for love but to men who were interested in her money and status and put their own careers first. Beneath the glamor and riches, a very human and hurting woman emerges in these pages.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

[Lcuffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating book! I love historical fiction but have not read many about affluent African Americans. Well written by the subject's great granddaughter, the story is about A'Lelia Walker, the daughter of one of the first black self-made women millionaires, Madame C.J. Walker. How very interesting to learn about the hair and cosmetics business that was built by Madam from literally the ground up. While Madam's interests and philanthropy focused on encouraging and supporting civil and womens rights, A'Lelia's life was more complex. While certainly business savey, and philanthropic thanks to her mother and her mother's trusted lawyer, A'Lelia enjoyed the spoils of her mother's empire but ultimately without the intense passion and dedication for the company and business that Madam possessed.
A'Lelia loved the arts, culture, and world travel. She was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance period, amassing an impressive portfolio of real estate and famous friends. Unlucky in love and like her mother, health, she traveled, pampered herself, and entertained like nobody's business - her parties and events were famous for the guest lists and luxury. She kept her feet just enough into the business until the stock market crash and the great depression.
At times, there was too much name dropping for my interest, but the well-preserved archives of the Walker legacy and property (Google Madam's historical Villa Lewaro!) allow for accurate and fascinating details of two historically significant and complex African American women who changed the world
A great read!

[Haerlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe no one but A'Lelia Bundles could have written this book. As her great-granddaughter, she had family lore and keepsakes to narrate A'Lelia Walker's story, as well as connections to individuals who knew her personally. However, the research does not end there, nor was it excessively reverent. Bundles examines her namesake (A'Lelia Walker) with a perspective, empathy, and a hint of judgment that conveys, "You want to know how we got? Let us reflect on some of the choices made by my foremothers—who were after all, human." Additionally, Walker is revealed through the eyes of others, including the infamous Carl Van Vechten novel. This book dovetails nicely with other popular media of 2025—that Van Vechten novel and this book would complement lists for those who enjoyed the movie, "Sinners." Furthermore, "Harlem Rhapsody" by Victoria Christopher Murray and this book share several characters, books, and events—I recommend reading them together for an enriched experience. The same applies to Tanisha Ford's "Our Secret Society."

"Joy Goddess" is a profound exploration of a complex woman who lived and thrived in America where such feats were challenging. In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history, philanthropy, the New Negro Movement, and related subjects.

My thanks to Netgalley for granting me the advanced reader copy.

[Erin Welch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject and the time period are fascinating, and I love that the author is writing about her own family. I was so excited to read this book, but it ultimately was a let-down.

In the introductory Author's Note, the author notes that people who knew her subject talked about her "charisma, flamboyance, and warmth," but little of that comes out in these pages. When I finished the last page, I felt like I still did not know A'lelia Walker's personality. I know about partied that she threw, trips she took, her marriages, philanthropy, and struggles...but still little about what actually made her HER.

Some of this could have been improved with a different approach to organization--I found myself losing track of the timeline--and some could have been improved had the book been less uneven. There are, in some sections, so many details and names that it is easy to get overwhelmed; while in others, the lack of details and analysis left me wanting more. Some chapters feel rushed, some overly detailed, and some in the wrong part of the book.

I think A'lelia Walker would be incredibly pleased that her great-granddaughter wrote her biography, and I certainly also want to know more about A'lelia. Her life is fascinating! I just feel like this book ultimately doesn't do it justice.

[Maddie Cuckow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a joy to read. I picked it randomly off of a display at my local library that read “read it before they tell you that you can’t”. I love a subtle dig at the government. I also LOVE that there was an era in time where Black women were running the world. I feel the Harlem renaissance is so glossed over in high school history courses, and people like A’Lelia Walker and her mother Madam CJ Walker are nearly erased from our textbooks. I knew about Madam from a few of my college classes but I didn’t know anything about her daughter who was a maven of arts and culture in the late 1910’s and 1920’s.
By all means, life was not ideal for Black Americans in this era (but was any era really?) but the power and success the Walker women yielded in this era is absolutely remarkable. Reading about A’Lelia Walker’s life was such a joy and I’m so glad I picked it up! It’s a nugget of history our school system teaches us nothing about- and I feel it needs to be talked about more.
Also super cool tidbit- the book is written by her great granddaughter, who drew information about her life from primary sources she’s kept in her family ❤️ Super cool!

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is clear that the author had done a great deal of research and I love that she had the opportunity to write about her own family. This is not an aspect of history I know much about so I was interested in this book. I chose to do the audio which is read by the author.

Though I was interested in the subject I sadly found this book quite dull in many parts. It picked up in the second half of the book but if this had not been a book club choice I likely would have abandoned it before I got there.

The author I think was suffering from too much minutia that she felt needed to be included which meant some irrelvant details were given too much weight. There were also soooooo many names included and I honestly found it impossible to keep straight who all the people were.

Though at the end A'Lelia Walker was described as joyful etc, that did not come through for me in the story. She felt more shallow and controlling. However, it is clear she was very supportive of the artists of the Harlem renaissance.

Overall, I learned some things in this story but overall I was left feeling very underwhelmed.

[Roberts Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy Goddess by A’Lelia Bundles is a radiant and revelatory biography that restores A’Lelia Walker to the cultural center she long deserved. With elegance and precision, BundlesWalker’s great-granddaughterrenders her subject not as a mythic socialite of the Harlem Renaissance, but as a woman of fierce intellect, artistic vision, and emotional complexity.

What emerges is both a portrait of a daughter forging her own identity under the shadow of a legend and a sweeping panorama of 1920s Harlem, alive with poetry, music, and revolution. Bundles writes with the authority of a historian and the lyric touch of a storyteller; her research hums with vitality, drawing readers into glittering salons where Langston Hughes reads aloud, and Zora Neale Hurston holds court.

At its core, Joy Goddess is an act of reclamation a declaration that A’Lelia Walker was not simply her mother’s heir, but a patron, pioneer, and cultural architect in her own right. Through this luminous work, Bundles ensures that the “joy goddess of Harlem” will forever be remembered not only for her exuberance but for her enduring influence on American art, identity, and freedom.

[Shelby (catching up on 2025 reviews)]

JOY GODDESS: A'LELIA WALKER AND THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
by A’Lelia Bundles

Thank you @scribnerbooks @simon.audio & @librofm for my gifted copies!

This is the fascinating true story of A’Lelia Walker, daughter of Madam C.J. Walker and America’s first Black celebrity heiress, told by her great-granddaughter and namesake, A’Lelia Bundles. Both written and audio narrated by Bundles, the book is personal, meticulously researched, and aims to correct and add nuance to long-standing misconceptions surrounding A'Lelia Walker’s legacy.

Dubbed “the joy goddess of Harlem’s 1920s” by Langston Hughes, Walker was a vibrant figure in the Harlem Renaissance. She hosted legendary salons, supported artists, and lived a bold, glamorous life on her own terms. Bundles brings her to life with vivid detail and the utmost care.

The book is incredibly engaging and often reads more like historical fiction than a traditional biography. And the audiobook, narrated by the author, is fantastic!! Biography fans: don't sleep on Joy Goddess!

📌 Available now!

[Sharon Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Schribner for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a biography of A'Lelia Walker told by her great-granddaughter. I really enjoyed this book, and I learned a lot. The author did a great job of bringing the Harlem Renaissance alive. I liked reading about all the famous people that were prominent at this time like Langsdon Hughes. It was also interesting how A'Lelia tried to follow in her famous mother's footsteps. Even though she was not her mother, she still made her own mark. I recommend this book to all readers that like to read about this time in history. It is very well written with lots of interesting characters.

[Amalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

--I welcomed broadening my knowledge of Harlem Renaissance events and personalities beyond poets Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes.

--I was impressed by the author's thoroughness as reflected by the detailed chapter notes, bibliography, and index.

-It was easy to predict the outcome of Madame Walker's and her daughter's health morbidities. I tired of the book 3/4 of the way through, perhaps because life revolved around endless entertaining with no expense spared and travelling between residences, businesses, friends' homes, and recuperation vacations (and her continual marriage mistakes).

--I was struck by the use of three names for almost all women mentioned throughout the book. It was particularly necessary given the many females named Alelia.

[MaryEllen Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful follow up to the author's previous biography of Madam C J Walker, America's first female self-made millionaire by Madam Walker's great-granddaughter. This book details the life of Madam's daughter A'Lelia who took over her mother's business and was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. This book is well-researched and an intriguing glimpse into the life of wealthy black Americans in the early 20th century. A'Lelia's life was tragic and joyful in many ways and is a fascinating continuation of her mother's legacy, and a wonderful documentation of a piece of unknown American history.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting novel. Definitely not a quick read. It is historical and there is interesting information about A'Lelia Walker, Madam CJ Walker and the Harlem Renaissance. If you do not know much about this time, it will encourage you to do a little research. I was intrigued by the description of the book and picked it up. An historical read if you are interested in A'Lelia Walker. The information about the Renaissance was interesting and thought provoking. You will be encouraged to learn more about that period.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time rating this book. The writing was excellent. She gave depth to A’Lelia and her mother and the times they lived through. I settled on 3 stars because I didn’t have a frame of reference on the characters, which is my own fault. I enjoyed the book but it didn’t leave me wanting to find out more. The author clearly did her homework. Writing about flawed relatives is always a challenge.

[Pia Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true joy in my book world "The Harlem Renaissance", easy read with a very informative edge. Who knew one would want to read/ know about the daughter of the "Madam C. J Walker" herself. As like her mother loving the finer things in life. Take a ride to the past where music, poetry and being black in entrepreneurship was a beautiful time.

[Chevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook! Great historical novel! Of course, I was familiar with Madame CJ Walker, but I didn’t have any knowledge of her daughter or the details of her life. I am a history buff, especially African American history! Loved it and learned so many new and important things!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Shayla Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 rating! I enjoyed listening to the story of Madame C.J. Walker’s only daughter and how she became the Joy Goddess for the Black community and the Harlem Renaissance. It helps that the author had a personal connection pro the material and read the book herself.