Book Review: The Personal Librarian
Rating: 4.05/5 (Goodreads)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 341
Published: June 29, 2021
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
My Reaction
I had never heard of Belle prior to reading The Personal Librarian. Her story is one that is truly inspiring and captivating during a time in history when women’s rights and racial equality were merely dreams. If you’re someone who loves art history and literature you’ll be memorized by this enchanting tale.
Belle became one of the most successful self made women of her time and climbed the ranks of the New York City social scene in the process. After reading her story I’m amazed and a bit angered she’s not a figured who’s taught of in history classes- yet grateful the authors of this book finally gave her a recognition that’s most deserving.
I do have to admit the story was a bit slow moving at first, but I may have felt this way due to my last read being pretty drama filled. This book was a very relaxing and peaceful read, so I found it to be a wonderful escape.
A Quick Summary
Belle da Costa Greene is hired by financier and collector J.P. Morgan in 1905 to curate and manage his personal library, which later becomes the famous Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Belle quickly becomes a key figure in the rare book and art world, building one of the most impressive collections in history.
However, Belle is living with a dangerous secret: she is a Black woman passing as white. Born Belle Marion Greener, she changed her name and fabricated a Portuguese ancestry to escape the racial discrimination. Her father, Richard Greener, was the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known activist, but Belle distances herself from him and her heritage to maintain her position and safety in high society.
The novel explores Belle’s double life—balancing her ambition and achievements with the constant fear of exposure. It delves into themes of race, identity, power, and sacrifice, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of her decision to live as someone she is not.
As Belle rises in society and becomes a powerful woman in a world dominated by wealthy white men, she must keep her true identity secret to protect her career and her family. The novel explores her internal conflict—balancing her ambition and love for art with the painful sacrifices required to live a lie.
It’s a story of resilience, intellect, and the cost of passing in a racially segregated society.
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