Remember Me to Harlem: The Letters of Langston Hughes and Carl Van Vechten

Remember Me to Harlem presents the forty-year correspondence between poet Langston Hughes and photographer/writer Carl Van Vechten. The letters span from 1925 to 1964, documenting their friendship during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. The collection captures conversations about art, literature, and the cultural landscape of twentieth-century America. Through their exchanges, readers witness both men's creative processes, professional collaborations, and commentary on the social movements of their time. Their letters provide glimpses into the publishing world, the challenges faced by artists, and the vibrant social scene of New York City. The correspondence also includes discussions of their other relationships, travels, and the development of their respective careers. The book stands as a record of an unlikely but enduring friendship that crossed racial and social boundaries, while examining broader questions about art, identity, and cultural exchange in American society.

Readers value this collection for revealing the 30-year friendship between Hughes and Van Vechten through their unguarded correspondence. Many note how the letters illuminate the complex racial dynamics and cultural scene of the Harlem Renaissance period. Readers appreciate: - Intimate glimpses into both writers' personalities and creative processes - Historical context provided by editor Emily Bernard - Photos and personal documents included - Insights into publishing industry of the era Common criticisms: - Some letters focus on mundane details - Gaps in correspondence during certain periods - Limited annotation of cultural references Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (40 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (11 reviews) Notable reader comment from Goodreads: "The letters reveal a genuine friendship between two very different men who shared a love of literature and art. Their correspondence offers a unique window into both the professional and social worlds they inhabited."

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📚 The correspondence between Hughes and Van Vechten spanned four decades (1925-1964), creating one of the most significant records of the Harlem Renaissance era. 🖋️ Carl Van Vechten, though a white man, became one of the most important patrons and documentarians of the Harlem Renaissance, photographing nearly all its major figures. 📝 The letters reveal how Hughes and Van Vechten navigated the complex racial dynamics of their friendship during a time of intense segregation and discrimination. 📷 Van Vechten took what became some of the most iconic photographs of Langston Hughes, and their letters often discussed these photography sessions and their artistic collaboration. 📚 Editor Emily Bernard discovered these letters while doing research at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, where Van Vechten had donated his extensive collection of correspondence and photographs.