Stormy Weather (novel)

Stormy Weather is a 1941 novel by American author Carl Van Vechten. Set primarily in Harlem during the Jazz Age and the early years of the Great Depression, the novel explores the vibrant and complex social and cultural landscape of the African American community.

The narrative follows the life of Essie May Johnson, a young Black woman who rises to fame as a blues singer and dancer. Her journey intertwines with those of a diverse cast of characters, including musicians, socialites, intellectuals, and members of the Harlem Renaissance artistic movement. Van Vechten examines themes of race, class, identity, ambition, love, and the challenges and triumphs of Black artists navigating a society rife with prejudice and discrimination.

While Stormy Weather was praised for its portrayal of Harlem's dynamism and its celebration of Black culture, it has also faced criticism for its use of dialect, perceived stereotypes, and the author's position as a white observer writing about Black experiences. Despite these controversies, the novel remains a significant work of literature that provides a glimpse into a pivotal era in American history and continues to spark discussion about representation, authenticity, and the complexities of racial dynamics in the arts. The title of the novel is a reference to the iconic song of the same name.