The Personal Librarian: A GMA Book Club Pick
Books | Fiction / Biographical
3.9
(631)
Marie Benedict
Victoria Christopher Murray
Over one million copies sold!The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A Good Morning America* Book Club Pick!Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post!“Historical fiction at its best!”*A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps create a world-class collection.But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.
Historical Fiction
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More Details:
Author
Marie Benedict
Pages
352
Publisher
Penguin
Published Date
2021-06-29
ISBN
0593101537 9780593101537
Community ReviewsSee all
"The amazing story of the unlikely rise of a woman, Belle Greener, to build and manage JPMorgan’s personal library in the early 1900’s. She also faced the very real obstacle of Black heritage which she managed by dangerously living as white - constantly living in fear of discovery but giving herself the opportunities that would not otherwise have been available to her. Looking forward to a tour of The Morgan Library and Museum later this month!"
"Top 3 of 2023 reads so far. Great writing and story! "
S G
Samantha Goodnight
"The plot wasn’t too crazy and sometimes the themes seemed a little too spelled out, but those are my only complaints. Belle’s life experience was very unique and her commentary on society of her time was really engaging, so I enjoyed being immersed in her perspective. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in the nuances of how race and racism shaped lives in the early 1900s from the perspective of an ambitious, witty woman."
"Excellent book about the African American woman who passed for white, and became the personal librarian of JP Morgan. "
B J
Barbara Jenkins