Gershwin’s Bess: A Novel, by Lisa K. Winkler

From Baltimore to New York City, soprano Anne Wiggins Brown refuses to be silenced. Encouraged by her mother and undeterred by a father who insists on “sensible” ambitions, Anne pursues her passion for opera amid heartbreak, prejudice, and the trials of the world in the late 1920s–1930s.

In Gershwin’s Bess, Anne perseveres and navigates the competitive world of Juilliard, a failed marriage, and the racism that denies her access to traditional stages. George Gershwin’s plans to write an opera starring all “Negroes” present an opportunity she can’t afford to lose. From her first audition to opening night two years later, she becomes an integral part in the creative process, singing melodies and lyrics as Gershwin writes them. When Anne lands the role as the first “Bess,” she challenges the famous composer to see her vision for the character—a daring act that reshapes the story itself.

Gershwin’s Bess is a vivid portrait of ambition, resilience, and artistry. It is the story of a woman who dares to dream, whose voice invokes history, and whose passion helps define an American masterpiece, Porgy and Bess.