Gershwin’s Bess by Lisa K. Winkler

An immersive historical novel about a gifted young soprano leaving a lasting imprint on American music

Gershwin’s Bess follows the life of Anne Wiggins Brown, an ambitious, determined, and musically gifted soprano whose voice and performance helped shape George Gershwin’s iconic opera, Porgy and Bess.

Winkler casts a luminous light not only on Brown’s artistic journey and her influential role in the creation of Bess, but also on her growth, dedication, and the challenges she faced as a young mixed‑race woman in 1920s America.

Spanning into the 1930s, the novel begins with Anne’s early years in Baltimore, where she was surrounded by music. At just six years old, she was already singing church hymns, performing in school plays, and creating musical arts with friends and family. At the recommendation of her teachers, she skips a grade to enter high school early and focuses on developing her voice. By the age of sixteen, she moves to New York City to attend the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

These early chapters of Anne’s life give the novel much of its emotional grounding and momentum. It’s inspiring to watch her talent develop, grow, and slowly gain recognition from those around her. We also get to witness Anne shaping herself through discipline, passion, and unwavering resilience to build her career as a singer.

“But I see the passion in your eyes, the fire in your heart, and the devotion in your singing. You are a perfectionist, in a good way. Yours is a talent not to be wasted.”

Gershwin’s Bess exudes the author’s obvious passion for opera and music, not just through Anne, but through her friends Ruby and Alvon and other fellow performers like Todd.

Winkler’s deeply felt love for the musical arts radiates off of every page. The scenes devoted to Anne’s collaboration with George Gershwin during the creation of Porgy and Bess pulse with energy: the grueling rehearsals, the creative tensions, and the quiet labor behind every performance. Through this, Winkler shows us that music, for Anne and those around her, was not only art but survival and deep expression of the soul.

As with most historical novels, Winkler takes creative liberties in Gershwin’s Bess, but she does so thoughtfully and creatively. Because little is known about Anne Wiggins Brown’s private life, Gershwin’s Bess brings a delicate balance between factual historical record and imagination.

Historical moments such as Anne’s rejection from the Peabody Institute due to the color of her skin, her becoming the first African American to be admitted into Juilliard and then receiving a scholarship, her marriage and eventual divorce, and her meeting with Gershwin are woven naturally into the narrative, educating on the true story as the fictive narrative drives the momentum forward. Even the dialogue and secondary characters like Mrs. Walters add depth and creativity to her story.

In all, Gershwin’s Bess reintroduces a pioneer to a new generation of readers with the skill and devotion that Anne’s legacy demands. If you come to this novel knowing nothing of Anne’s story, you will leave inspired and appreciative of the hard work and dedication of theatre performers.

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