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The Personal Librarian

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Member Reviews

"The Personal Librarian" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that offers readers a rich and immersive journey into the past. Benedict and Murray's collaboration brings Belle da Costa Greene's remarkable story to life with sensitivity, depth, and compassion, offering readers a timely reminder of the power of courage, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a captivating story that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page, this book is sure to enchant and inspire.

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Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms, who found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues. She embarked on a new, thematically connected series of historical novels with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself, and the role she might have played in his theories. The next novel in this series is the USA Today bestselling CARNEGIE'S MAID -- which released in January of 2018 -- and the book that followed is the New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the story of the brilliant inventor Hedy Lamarr, which published in January of 2019. In January of 2020, LADY CLEMENTINE, the story of the incredible Clementine Churchill, was released, and became an international bestseller. Her next novel, the Instant NYTimes and USAToday bestselling THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, was published on December 29, 2020, and her first co-written book, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, will be released on June 29, 2021. Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare.

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This was fascinating, educational, and really a joy to read. I loved the history in it, the diversity, and all the research that was done to make it true to life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I really had a difficult time getting through this one. In general, the subject would be of interest to me. I usually like historical fiction. I just couldn't connect to this one. I just wanted to get through it. I almost didn't finish but I kept going.

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I read this book quite a while ago, and I read A LOT of books, but I do remember that the story stayed with me for quite some time. I don’t consider myself a big fan of historical fictions. It’s not my favorite genre, but I did really enjoy this story of Belle de Costa Green. Thanks for the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy!

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I love when books weave in historical facts, and this is the case with The Personal Librarian. It shares the story of the personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, to J.P. Morgan. Period rich in details, this is perfect for book lovers and historical lovers alike.

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Great historical fiction. Well written..ending surprised me. Would recommend for upper high school and definitely book clubs. Characters well develop through out story.

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I enjoyed reading The Personal Librarian and learning about the first black librarian at JP Morgan's library. The authors did an excellent job weaving in facts with fiction. Having listened to the authors discuss the research that went into writing this novel, they worked well as a team to produce a gripping work. I have added this book to my personal collection.

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(thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.)

a bold and engaging historical romp that book lovers will heartily devour.

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3 stars, a good, solid read. I love historical fiction based on real-life characters, especially "hidden figures" such as our main character here, who was largely responsible for the fantastic collection of the J. P. Morgan Library in New York, and was a very interesting person. I can't say the story shines, but I would recommend this book to a very wide spectrum of readers. In addition, our library ultimately chose it for our Morning and Evening Book Club, and the book elicited great discussions at both.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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I'm glad my sister and her women's group introduced me to this book. It was a great read and a wonderful insight into this woman's life. I don't usually like biographical fiction because I'm concerned that I will take some incident to heart that is not real at all. The authors of this book did me a great favor with their afterward explaining where they had played with the truth and where they had to speculate. I was grateful that Marie Benedict, who has such a wonderful reputation as an author, recognized her need for further insight into the life experience of a person of color. She sought the help of another wonderful writer in Victoria Christopher Murray. I appreciated each author's story of their writing relationship which they shared at the end. I'm afraid I leapt ahead of the Women's Spirit group because I found the book so hard to put down. I will have to read Passing by Nella Larsen which was first published in 1929. It will be an education to see the comparison.

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This fictionalized account of Belle da Costa Greene, personal librarian to J.P. Morgan and inaugural director of the Pierpont Morgan Library, exposed the secret she kept hidden for nearly her entire life. Belle's ethnicity is Black, which, in addition to her being woman, doomed her to a life of servitude and destitution. When her mother made the decision to pass her children off as White, her marriage collapsed but her children had a fighting chance in the society of the Gilded Age. Industrious, studious and intelligent, Belle snatched the introduction to J.P. Morgan by his nephew and was given the chance to prove herself and create a world-renown library.

Top-notch account of Belle da Costa Greene, and the creation of the Piermont Morgan Library. This was an inspiring story of self-motivation and determination and pushing back against societal mores. I think the most cringe-worthy part of this book was Belle not being able to have children; not due to physical issues, but because of what color skin her children might have. The personal sacrifices she made for her career, and to leave the world with a breath taking collection of rare books in a beautiful facility is admirable and heart-breaking at the same time.

Definitely recommend this book to historical fiction buffs who enjoy reading about real-life characters and the history behind monuments and historical facilities.

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I loved this historical fiction novel about Belle de Costa Greene. In a time when being a women and being a women of color were both detrimental to your success, Belle got hired by JP Morgan and turned his personal library into a library unrivaled around the world. I know that Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray took some liberties with the story because Belle erased so much of her personal paperwork but I like to think that the relationship that Belle shared with JP Morgan in this novel was equivalent to their real relationship. I love that the authors included references to major events that happened during Belle's life, like the Titanic, and the fact that she probably knew people affected by these events. Highly recommend this novel.

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Belle da Costa Greene is a young, ambitious librarian who is hired to be the personal librarian for J.P. Morgan and curate his collection of rare manuscripts and artwork. Yet, she has a secret: she is a Black woman passing as white. Her career, her family's well-being, and her reputation all hinge upon the secret she carries. So begins the narrative and reality of the risks many Black people endured after the Civil War and throughout segregation and Jim Crow laws.
This was a fascinating read into a little-known librarian who made a huge impact on the museum and curation fields. This historical fiction novel details the life of da Costa Greene with speculation on the details of her day-to-day using research and historical documents. The authors had the challenge of piecing her life together within the scope of historical events and in relation to other historical figures. There are definitely moments of repetition of da Costa Greene's importance and influence (which sounds like arrogance because this is written in her 1st person POV), her bidding prowess, and style. Nevertheless, I enjoyed learning about the Black librarian who became the first director of the Pierpont Morgan Library.

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Based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, aka Belle Marion Greener, personal librarian to JP Morgan in the early 20th century. Belle’s secret: She’s African American passing for White.

I applaud the writers for their collaboration, research and dedication to the (fictionalized) telling of this extraordinary woman. While the life and story of Belle was so intriguing, the early 20th century writing style was a bit dry for my taste. Benedict is a historical fiction author, while Murray is a contemporary fiction author, and I understand that the style reflects the time period of the book. I laughed aloud at Murray’s author note when she said she just wanted one of the characters to say, “Are you kidding me, dude?” Because same!

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Thank you to NetGalley for a pre-pub copy of this book. Another rich work of historical fiction by Marie Benedict. This title brings us the story of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian of J. P. Morgan who hid her true identity as an African American woman in order to secure and maintain her position in this role. Greene's father, Richard Greener, the first Black Harvard graduate, was quite outspoken in his push for equality, so Miss Greene distanced herself from her family and passed herself off as being of Portuguese descent, which worked for the most part, due to her light Black skin tone. Over time, she began to be known for her flamboyant attire (as well as her skill in acquisition and negotiation), which she used as a distraction to keep people from focusing on her physical features in order to keep her cover. Greene was a powerful, brilliant, tough individual who mesmerized Morgan and many other key figures of the day. Well-researched and well-written!

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Ms. Benedict has written a believable work of historical fiction. This story is based on Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian of J.P. Morgan. She is mulatto and passes as white to apply and keep her job.

Recommended for public libraries.

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Belle da Costa Greene works for J. P. Morgan at the Pierpont Morgan Library. She acquires and organizes rare books and art for the library. She is creative and intelligent. She is passing for white in a time of racism and segregation. What a wonderful story of strength, determination, and success while giving a bit of insight into the difficulty, pain, and heartache she endured!

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Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

The Personal Librarian is the story of the Belle da Costa Greene (Belle Marion Greener is her birth name) and her journey as the curator at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City. The book is written by two authors – Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. A very fine tale they have crafted. I am just getting into the historical fiction genre and I must say, I am very glad I was presented with the opportunity to read this book as it was a tremendously engaging read.

Set in the early 1900’s, this story chronicles the professional and personal life of Bella da Costa Greene as she rises to become a well respected, knowledgeable curator for the Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle Marion Greener had to learn early on to hide her authentic self if she was to succeed in the world to which she aspires – being a curator at a museum. Especially given that she is a woman… and a black woman at that. Though it should be noted that Belle is light skinned and passes herself off as a white woman. Belle is overjoyed when she secures the position of personal librarian for J.P. Morgan.

The reader is lead through Belle’s rise professionally as well as her personal life. I found the very divergent views of her parents and equality quite interesting. Their divisiveness led to a life for the most part without her father – which can be hard on a young family. Belle seemed to be under a lot of pressure to provide for her family – but she did it willingly as a result of the sacrifices that were made by the entire family.

I found Belle’s personal relationship with Bernard was interesting and a bit disturbing all at the same time. It was no surprise that Belle should fall in love and that an affair such as this may have been more common in these times than I would have thought – but the way everything played out was disconcerting to me (and yes – you will have to read the book to get the details).

I am sufficiently intrigued by Belle da Costa Greene that I will more than likely seek out further factual information about her life and life’s work for JP Morgan.

The writing flowed as well as the story. I enjoyed my first introduction to the writing of both Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. If you are interested in a well penned historical fiction (though very much based on the facts) – I suggest picking up The Personal Librarian and setting aside some quality time to read.

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I'm a big fan of The Morgan Library and had learned about Belle la Costa Greene just prior to hearing buzz about this novel. I could not wait to read it. It was enjoyable to learn about Greene's work as Morgan's librarian -- the authors could have gone into much more detail on this topic. (Admittedly, I'm currently in library school and love reading about librarians and library work.) The racial struggle between Greene's parents was heartwrenching and added a lot of depth and food for thought regarding the concept of "passing." This was a good read and it left me wanting to learn more about Greene and other women librarians of the time period.

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