Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal

by Yuval Taylor

Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God) and Langston Hughes (“The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “Let America Be America Again”) were collaborators, literary gadflies, and close companions. They traveled together in Hurston’s dilapidated car through the rural South collecting folklore, worked on the play Mule Bone, and wrote scores of loving letters to each other. They even had the same patron: Charlotte Osgood Mason, a wealthy white woman who insisted on being called “Godmother.”

Paying them lavishly while trying to control their work, Mason may have been the spark for their bitter falling-out. Was the split inevitable when Hughes decided to be financially independent of their patron? Was Hurston jealous of the woman employed as their typist? Or was the rupture over the authorship of Mule Bone? Yuval Taylor answers these questions while illuminating Hurston’s and Hughes’s lives, work, competitiveness and ambition.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Biography Memoir, African American, American History, Writing

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2019

About the author

Yuval Taylor, whose books include Faking It, I Was Born a Slave, The Cartoon Music Book, and The Future of Jazz, lives in Chicago.

Reviews

[Emma Eisenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a rich and complicated book, modern and lovely and wise. I learned so much, I became enraged and confused--Godmother! why??!!--and I hurt for these two people who were so much for each other and could have been so much more. I wish it had been less faithful to chronology and more character/narrative-driven, but that's just what floats my boat

[Cedricsmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zora and Langston by Yuval Taylor gets 4/5 stars. Things got bogged down in the details near the book’s end and disrupted the flow. Miscommunications and letters crossing in the mail made the story difficult to follow. Overall, I enjoyed this gossipy read. Several reviewers commented that Taylor’s book is nothing more than a term paper on the topic, taken generously from other sources. It is a cursory look, but I’m fine with that. I’m not writing a dissertation or trying to be a historian. If the book’s tone were academic, I would’ve lost interest and abandoned it altogether. As it is, I learned many things I didn’t know, got insight into 2 of America’s greatest writers, and learned about the Harlem Renaissance, 10-15 years when Black Unicorns ruled the literary creative landscape. Zora and Langston were seemingly cut from the same cloth in their independence, genius, and desire to be exactly who they were. Perhaps this is what attracted them to each other. They traveled together, worked together, and had many great adventures together. Apparently even 100 years ago, black people were up for telling other black people what it meant to be black, what to write about, and how to act. Neither Langston nor Zora was having it, and perhaps this made them simpatico.

One disappointing (yet typical) aspect of L&Z’s history is that the men sided with Langston after L&Z fell out, and it got ugly. Men have insulted and discredited women's creations for millennia, so why I was surprised to see this is beyond me. I guess I thought there was a spirit of comradery. Some of the more influential men were misogynist to begin with; certainly there was nothing Zora could do right to them. I’m happy that Zora's work thrives while her haters remain obscure at best.

It’s easy to turn up my nose at the relationships both Zora and Langston had with the anti-Semitic, racist Charlotte Osgood Mason, who financially sponsored both writers for many years, albeit with her own agenda. Her patronage definitely came with strings attached, but perhaps in the 1920s as well as before, during, and after the Depression it was a worthy trade. It allowed Z&L to survive and focus on their writing. Things weren't like they are now when one can work a day job to make ends meet and write during evenings and weekends. In my mind, the Harlem Renaissance was a magical time when black artists created and thrived and were recognized for their gifts. This book dulled the shine of the period for me and showed that people were merely people, just as we are now.

Apparently quite a few artists during the Harlem Renaissance became members of the Communist Party, no doubt because any political ideology that had equality as a basic tenet was bound to be attractive to black folks. But later on they found out it was another lie; the Communist Party for whatever reason abandoned its earlier promises to African Americans, and guess who suffered for it.

The book could have benefited from a listed chronology of events, even though it was written chronologically. I like to see at a glance who were contemporaries and when certain things occurred in relation to other events. Also more photos would’ve been nice. Useful resources for further exploration include chapter notes, further readings, and an index, always handy.

Although Zora and Langston disappointed my expectations for the Harlem Renaissance and its luminaries in several ways, the writing is what matters most. We will always have these authors’ work.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am embarrassed to admit that I have read very little of the works of either writers who are the subject of this book. But having read it, I am committed to delving into that pool.

I don't believe I have the right to comment much further on this until I have a better grasp on my own of each author's platform (which always changes through time) as they wrote, and what were their messages and purpose of art.

That said, there are some slightly creepy aspects of their relationship. . .but many relationships do have that aspect, eh? "Godmother" . . .well, yeah. I'll need to check her out as well.

So without further ado, I'm off to read more of these subjects in order to round my education.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books that briefly covered the friendship and spat between Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes (Mule Bone, Zora Neale Hurston: A Literary Biography, Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston). However, Yuval Taylor's book does this relationship justice, he gives the most comprehensive and definitive account of their relationship. He covers how Zora and Langston met, their loving friendship, their collaboration on a play called Mule Bone, and the ultimate fallout of the relationship. Taylor, in my opinion, is not biased towards one writer over the other, he calls them out when they both lied in their recollection of events. In that respect, the book comes across as a balanced portrayal. Zora and Langston were both at fault over the dissolution of their friendship and at the same time were super admiring of each other and their artistic gifts. Outside figures were instigating. One of the important parts of this book is that it corrects the narrative that the prior literature stated that Zora and Langston never saw each other after the Mule Bone fallout, Taylor shows this wasn't true. Zora and Langston saw and possibly spoke to each other at least once or twice in the intervening years. Lastly, I love how Taylor closed the book with the "last living link" between Zora and Langston.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is such a thing as doing too much research. The book has more details about irrelevant events than I cared to know. The play dispute that led to their break is truly boring.

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a well researched piece of writing that gives great insight to a friendship between two of the great writers during the period defined as the Harlem Renaissance. To pull together a cohesive story from interviews and
correspondence to create a book length narrative that is filled with book references and a host of characters prominent and obscure, is no small feat.

The patron, Charlotte Osgood Mason played an oversized role in both Zora and Langston’s life, and her meddling ways helped to fuel the split between the two. The shame of their friendship was the lack of reconciliation, as they truly seemed to feed off one another
early on in their friendship.

To have someone in the trenches with you as you each try to eke out a literary life was something they both cherished, and ambition got the better of them and fractured what was becoming a partnership that included a writing of a play, though Zora claimed she wrote while Langston made a few suggestions. He of course, has a bit different version of events, but ultimately the rift never was healed.

The author paints a picture of the times, so the reader has a vivid sense of the comings and goings of their lives as well as their literary triumphs and failures. Truly well done.

[Jalisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book provides great context for the work of Zora and Langston and how their friendship, and their shared link to Charlotte Mason, influenced their art. The book touches a great deal on the role of white philanthropy as both a boost for these prominent authors (in terms of financial stability, networks, and platforms) and also as an inconvenient harness that constrained their artistic freedom and expression.

With that said, I spent half of the book cringing. Learning of the great lengths that both writers went to maintain the affections of their benefactor can't be described as anything other than debasing. The last third of the book which focuses on the deterioration of Zora and Langston's friendship felt like I was reading a 1930s gossip rag (these folks were the original creators of shade). Sadly, I closed the book with less respect for both writers. In trying to humanize the story of their friendship (or at least I'm guessing that's what the goal was), the book ended up presenting both Zora and Langston as petulant, calculating, cruel, and stubborn. I'm not sure this added much to their legacies.

[Whit Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yuval Taylor's "Zora and Langston" is a fast-paced, engaging account of the friendship between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, as well as their eventual "falling out." The book begins with the meeting of these two extraordinary individuals, and then follows their friendship all the way through the drafting of the play "Mule Bone," the writing of which would ultimately lead to the end of their friendship. Along the way Taylor introduces us to important luminaries, such as Louise Thompson, Alain Locke, Countee Cullen, Charles Johnson, and Carl van Vechten, among others, although Taylor always manages to keep his story focused on his chief two protagonists, Hughes and Hurston, which keeps the reader highly engaged throughout.

I received an advance copy of the book from the publishers at my own request, and I am not sure if I'm the best or the worst person to review this title. My own interest in the book comes from my own fictionalized version of this exact same story, a novel called "Harlem Mosaics," and Taylor's book almost works as a perfect companion piece to my novel. In fact, if I were to have any critique of Taylor's book at all, it would just be that it doesn't really answer any of the open questions that still linger about this relationship -- basically open questions that led me to fictionalize the story -- as so much is open to interpretation. Nevertheless, Taylor does a wonderful job of compiling the events that surround this debacle, and he presents them in a fashion that is certain to make this story of literary rivalry continue to live well into the 21st century.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Collabo Fallout

I read other reviews where some thought that this book was too scholarly. Well, for one, it was well-researched, including the author re-tracing the trip Zora and Langston took through the South. Secondly, there were several words I had to use google to get the definition. However! I thought the story of their relationship and their relationships with others was absolutely fascinating!

Their relationship status went from ride-or-die: “Langston was not just Zora’s best friend, but one of the few people with whom she felt a deep kinship.”(p.176) to, they in for a squabble, no doubt: “If Mule-Bone was Zora and Langston’s child, the fight over its fate was their epic custody battle.” (p.190).

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good literary feud.

[Sherril · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor - ⭐️ ⭐️
I somehow thought this book was going to consist of letters between the two Black authors and I am a huge fan of epistolary books, fiction and nonfiction, but I was mistaken. One of the last books I read was Black Boy by Richard Wright (he is referenced here more than once) and I thought by reading Zora and Langston, I would continue to gain knowledge and comprehension of the ‘Black experience in America” through the relationship between two of the greats, one a man, Langston Hughes and the other a woman, Zora Neale Hurston. I wouldn’t say that the book doesn’t expand one’s knowledge, I’m sure it does, but the boredom factor kept me from paying close attention.

I recognize that there was a great deal of research put into the writing of this book, but to my ear (I read the audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin, who was very good, as usual) it was painstakingly boring. There was a ton of information (and for that I gave the book 2 stars instead of one), but It was like reading a dissertation. I think I will do better to reread Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God and one of Hughe’s poetry collections, as well as a collection of short fiction. And, as I often do while reading, I will Google the authors separately and together to learn more about them.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book did a good job of pointing out the variety within the Harlem Renaissance, the debates among artists even as all of them were looking for authentic artistic expression as well as demonstrating pride in African and African American culture and civilization. Some were looking to separate themselves from and challenge the white world and white standards and others, like Hurston and Hughes at the time the book examines, were looking to cultivate the so-called "primitive" and specifically avoided discussions of racial injustice. The cultural florescence comes through: the night clubs and parties and food and clothes and rich cultural atmosphere of creation and possibility. And he highlights the queer contributions to the movement as a whole.

Their relationship with Charlotte Osgood Mason was SO WEIRD. I think Taylor does a good job explaining that her overbearing, controlling attitude toward black artists seems really odd and awful today (and the things she said about how primitive they were and how they could save civilization from itself with their connection to that and therefore to a purer version of God/the spirit) but he doesn't just go, "She was a product of her time! It's OK to be racist in your own time!" He points out that she had charisma and a genuine effect on her acolytes. And her money helped them get things done. And Hurston definitely and Hughes for a time saw the relationship as appropriate, given their respective positions. Taylor does a good job pointing out the connections between benefactor and artists without reducing them to ONLY about race and class differences but acknowledging sensibilities and personalities. Mason was STILL super weird, though, wanting everyone to keep careful accounts of their spending and bowel movements.

Taylor finds the little details that make the stories come alive. His extensive quotations from letters and other works give room to see these people's relationships forming and falling apart.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so juicy and gossipy I couldn't put it down. It took these amazingly large figures in Black history and culture and showed so many sides of them and their relationships and desires. Sometimes letter by letter, day by day accounts of shifting goals, desires, and emotions.

Also, this was the saddest love story I've ever read. The tragedy of never seeing the potential of Mulebone in their lifetimes is one thing. The love and loss of their friendship, played out over letters, articles, essays, and other people over decades was painfully another thing altogether.

[La La · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book six stars if I could! It's very well researched, and not only is it a wonderfully written double biography of Hurston and Hughes, it's also an interesting history lesson about the Harlem Renaissance, Harlem itself, and Black American history in general. It was an engaging read.

If you are ever looking for a great Black History Month book to read, look no further... this is it!

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting telling of what caused the rift between Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. Entertaining and informative.

[Carol Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a lot of fun to read, and it has all kinds of great stories and fascinating facts about the Harlem Renaissance and African-American writers of the early 20th century, especially Langston Hughes and Zora Neal Hurston. Ultimately, though, it's not a very satisfying book, because the author never really explains the real nature of the famous feud between these two legendary figures. Nor does he explain the relevance of the unexplained quarrel in the context of today's social problems.

What really comes across more than any insight into black life is a white intellectual's nostalgia for the days when even the most outspoken and radical black leaders were openly grateful to have white friends and the support of wealthy white patrons. Taylor trashes the old white lady who wrote all the checks while at the same time sighing over how whites and blacks could mix freely without any nasty confrontations or angry black militants stirring up trouble. And we never do find out just why the "lost play" was so special. I guess it was like "Smile" by the Beach Boys!

This book reminds me of what Winston Churchill said about Neville Chamberlain -- always remember there's a lot less there than meets the eye!

[Haven Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay this one, unlike the others, I would recommend to a nonfiction fan. This was incredibly well written and extremely engaging and descriptive. I read this to gain more information about a topic I was doing a presentation on and it was helpful but also incredibly interesting, which is quite reflective of the friendship of Zora Neale Hurston and Hughes.

This book put a wonderful emphasis on the friendship and joy of their relationship that is often times clouded by the quarrel that ended it all. There tends to be bypass of all the good that did occur when their friendship is discussed. They both deeply shaped American literature and one another. And in the words of Alice Walker, “each was to the other an affirming example of what Black people could be: wild, crazy, creative, spontaneous, at ease with who they are, an funny.”

[Shahara’Tova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was everybody involved in the Harlem Renaissance INVOLVED? This biography is just as messy as a soap opera. Lol

[Etain Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, well researched and filled with lots of information not only about Zora and Langston but also the Harlem Renaissance as a whole. These two extremely talented artists enjoyed a brief but mutual admiration and friendship.

Their fallout seemed to have so many outside factors involved including jealousy and the interfering 'Godmother' butting in and pitting them against one another. It was clear though that at one point they had a lot of love and respect for one another and their work. It would be lovely to think that despite all the hurt that this still existed to some degree.

Both are two of the most prominent names of the Harlem Renaissance and it was wonderful to gain a better understanding of what they were trying to achieve with their work. We also learn about the personal relationships between other black writers and artists from Harlem and how they all contributed to the this cultural movement. Very excited to read Wallace Thurman's 'Infants of the Spring' for his fictional account of the same period.

[Khadejah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes are as talented as you thought they were, but neither was as admirable as we want them to be. This review could easily become an academic paper since literature is pretty much my jam but I'll try to keep it to two of the most interesting topics I learned most about: primitivism and patronage.

At the beginning of their careers, both Zora and Langston deliberately ignored peer pressure from other Black authors to make their work more sophisticated, mainstream, and "appropriate" for white audiences. Instead, they leaned pretty damn hard toward primitivism, which basically means that they wrote as simply as possible in an attempt to fully capture the *essence* of *true Negro culture*. This involved lots of moving language, but also lots of talk about the jungle. Pretty double-edged sword. This book does a great job of explaining how primitivism affected Zora and Langston's work and how it informed their relationship, as well as how it led to their interesting patronage.

I knew that most Black creators during the early 20th century had wealthy white benefactors (patrons) who supported them monetarily, but I had NO IDEA the extent of how Charlotte Mason, Zora and Langston's mutual patron, exerted a cult-like control over both of them. At least--that's what the letters say. But the letters...between Zora and Langston, Langston and Mason, Zora and Mason...are pretty wild. This book has 'em.

I won't go into the details of their split, but rapidly changing times, extreme passion (not that kind), lack of boundaries, and misogyny played large roles in the eventual end of their friendship. If you've enjoyed any works by either of these authors, reading this book can definitely help inform the contexts of pretty much all of their work.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was...intense. I was glad to learn more about these two literary legends and their circle of friends; it also fleshed out the loathsome personage of Charlotte Osgood Mason, who I was previously a bit familiar with from having read Hurston's solo works. A huge undercurrent of this book for me was "watch whiteness work," because it was the narcissistic machinations of their white supremacist wealthy patron Osgood that ultimately destroyed Hughes and Hurstons' friendship, although I don't know if they would have seen it that way. Mason financially supported them both and made so much of their work possible because of that, but also controlled them both through that, was emotionally abusive, and pitted them and her other benefactors against one another. It was sad to see how much pain she caused, especially for Langston Hughes after he disengaged himself financially from her so he could regain creative control. It was pretty horrific. I was also fascinated to read about this presentation of Hughes' queerness, which was there but also not there; I've always thought of Hughes as queer, but this complicates that and makes his inclusion in the queer writers' pantheon that I've always known a little bit more complex. I appreciated this book for refusing facile characterization of either of these legends, or any of their contemporaries. Recommended.

[Degenerate Chemist · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Zora and Langston" is exactly what it says on the tin. Yuval Taylor explores the relationship between Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes from their meeting in 1925 to their eventual fallout in 1931.

Taylor does a fairly good job of telling the story of Zora and Langston's friendship from the information available. Unfortunately, the most interesting character in this book ended up being Charlotte Mason, or as I like to think of her, Rachel Dolezal. I did learn a lot from this book and it was absolutely worth the time it takes to read. Unfortunately, there were parts of the story that didn't feel all that fleshed out. I would have loved to have read more about Z and L's friendship before their fallout, especially their roadtrip across the south.

Most of this book is focused on the years they worked for Charlotte Mason, a horrible racist rich lady of the 'white savior' variety. That is an absolutely fascinating story in and of itself, but not exactly what I wanted to read. I have issues with black stories that end up focusing on white protagonists and that is exactly what this book did. Although that may not be entirely the authors fault given the information he had to work with, this was still a major let down for me.

[Rick Rapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor's book is a fascinating account of the friendship (and its bitter conclusion) between two important Black writers of the Harlem Renaissance. They were both heavily influenced by the self-appointed doyenne of African-American works, Charlotte Mason, a wealthy white woman who unduly influenced and "supported" them financially (with huge strings attached.) This woman was a deluded soul who believed she was championing the work of African-Americans, but all the while her support was steeped in condescension and blind racism. Her influence negatively impacted both writers. It is interesting that both were more respected and touted by the white community than by fellow Black writers and thinkers. It is also interesting to wonder what both of them might have produced without the emotional baggage Mason inflicted upon them. This book is well-researched and enlightening. It provides a glimpse into the lives and minds of two key Black writers of the "golden age" of African-American creativity.

[Karen Ashmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the complicated relationship between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, culminating in the controversy of who really authored the play Mule Bone, which resulted in the end of their friendship and split the loyalties of the Harlem Renaissance artists. Because they were the two leading writers of the Harlem Renaissance, you also get a good depiction of the history of the Harlem Renaissance.

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be called Charlotte & Zora & Langston as the book devotes roughly the same amount of pages to Hurston and Hughes’ relationship with their patron, Charlotte Mason.

[Aaron West · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it's true that this book took me much longer to finish than it should have, I was taking on several different books at the same time, a feature of my reading habits that leads to wasted time, unfortunately.

This book was quite interesting, and seems very well-researched. I have taught pieces by Hurston and Hughes throughout my years in the classroom. The Harlem Renaissance is a topic I find exciting and intriguing. And so I went for this book after seeing it some years ago at a bookstore, having not known that Zora and Langston actually knew each other, let alone had a falling out.

Some of Taylor's assertions about how Black artists and citizens carried themselves and lived in not only New York but the South require second glances. But on the whole, I learned a lot about the personalities of both Hughes and Hurston. They are masters of their craft; they are unique and were positioned well to make a specific impact on the work of American artistry and the literary world; They are...sort of the worst?

It's hard for me to pass judgment. I know Taylor did a lot of research, especially from primary sources, but it could be easy to paint these artists in a certain light based on what is available or still exists--or even what was selected to include. One of the greatest insights I took from this book was the figure of 'Godmother,' Charlotte Mason, who influenced both artists in some intense and disturbing ways.

Either way, the book was interesting enough to keep me going, but it didn't change my life.

[Courtney Reads Stuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very interesting to see the direction that this book was going in. It started kind of dry, but I believe that the narrator gets to the point of making readers feel like they have traveled back in time. There is enough from the letters and the extensive research to really make the reader feel like they have been transported back to the time, this era.

I was always curious about how Zora, who died in poverty, would have had any money to even get "There Eyes Were Watching God" into publication. I honestly did not know about the friendship between Langston and Zora before the book. This gives an interesting look at how they became friends and how the friendship eventually went up in smoke.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ✨!

Nothing makes me happier than reading about MY PEOPLES!!! This book has reignited my need to read both Langy’s and Zora’s Autobios… it’s a must cause I own all 3, smh!!! I laughed, learned and lingered on the words in this novel— what beauty is a true friendship! I believed that they were close friends that just so happened to go separate ways as time passed on… both are amongst my favorite writers Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin would most definitely start my top 5 tho for sure. Overall, a wonderful book, I’m not surprised of the divisiveness they endured via their funding source. It goes to show you that all money ain’t good money; move around lady 🙄— couldn’t have been me.

If you’re remotely curious about the two, read this book; I truly enjoyed it!!!

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at the friendship and later betrayal between Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. A dip into the history and benefactors into the Harlem Renaissance. A look at the friendship between Zora and Langston and the work they created together in the literary magazine for African Americans they traveled to collect the stories of African Americans in the Rural South. Their competitiveness in the literary circles and their benefactor would lead to their falling out. Langston would go on to major acclaim while Zora would be derided by the critics for not doing more and speaking out more by the African American Community. Her writing was criticized for making her characters seem like they fell off the turnip truck. She died a pauper and was buried in an unmarked grave. Then comes present day and we realize the true depth in her writing and what she was echoing in her stories. She has come under her own renaissance with the help of contemporary African American authors like Alice Walker (who located her grave and had a monument erected) and others who have found writings in her papers. If you have not read any of Zora's or Langston's works now would be the time to pick them up and acquaint yourself with these two Harlem authors.

[Tracee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"'I loved my friend,' begins and ends one of Langston's best known poems, first published in May 1925, the month he met Zora."

"Theirs was the friendship of those who, as Langston wrote in his 1926 poem 'Harlem Night Song,' 'roam the night together / Singing./ I love you.'"

"Together Zora and Langston invigorated the Harlem Renaissance."

"Zora and Langston's position in American literary history is by now firmly established."

"I think of Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes as literary parents... I am always amazed when I read of their arguments and fallings out..."

"...Their first meeting in Harlem in 1925 to their final breakup in Cleveland in 1931..."