A story of Belle, a (sometimes) monstrous titan of finance, and the fabulous library they built together. But this novel, based on the real life story of Belle da Costa Greene, is much more complicated, layered, and interesting than a fairy tale. It took me a few chapters to get into the story but I came to love the heroine’s balance of professional chutzpah and vulnerable heart, and the vibrant depictions of life in the gilded age (with attention to those not in the stratospheric heights of wealth). This would be an excellent bookclub pick, too - lots to talk about in terms of identity, race, womanhood, relationships, and, of course, books!

Its a very timely subject and the first book I have read from this author who comes highly recommended to me. I liked it but didnt really love it. I was impressed by the depth of the author's research and her sensitivity in taking on an African-American co-author to more fully understand the subject.

The Personal Librarian is a true love letter to librarians....this book captivated me from the very beginning. The author wrote so eloquently and descriptively that I felt I was there, alongside Bella working in this beautiful library. I now want to purchase multiple copies of this book to give to all of my friends.. Thank you for writing this book!

I am reading an early copy of this book. It is about Marion Greener, a light skinned black woman. In order to realize her dreams of a career, she changes her name to Belle LaCosta Greene, and passes herself off as white. She becomes the personal librarian for J. P. Morgan who is building and stocking his own personal library, the Pierpont Morgan Library.

I am reading this book during Black History Month. How ironic to be reading about a woman who feels that the only way to get ahead is to deny her blackness. It is 1903 and she is probably right, but I am saddened by this attitude.

Contrast that with another book I am reading, 42 Today. It is a book describing the activism of Jackie Robinson 45 years later. What a huge difference.

The Personal Librarian is very well written and in the voice of Belle. I think that Benedict has put the exact proper words in her mouth, depicting Belle as a highly educated speaker and thinker.

I recommend this historical fiction book as one that really makes you think.

4 stars

The Personal Librarian is an engrossing story about Belle da Costa Greene, a unique woman for her time and for our time as well. This piece of historical fiction is a well written and well plotted biography for a remarkable woman. Ms. Greene was the personal librarian to JP Morgan, helping and guiding him to build a library rivaled only by the best in the world. Greene started with Morgan in 1905 and served as his librarian until his death. Fortunately for all of us, after Morgan’s death she continued as the librarian for the collection and helped establish it as a reference library open to all in 1924.

During the time when she and Morgan were establishing the library, Greene was taking trips to Europe and buying manuscripts and other rare pieces of art - headily spending Morgan’s money (with his permission). All this doesn’t sound unusual now, but the turn of the 20th century it was rare to find a woman in business, let alone a single woman, who was entrusted with and did, spend huge amounts of money on acquisitions.

However, the crux of the story is that Belle da Costa Greene was “passing” as a white woman. At first, I was frustrated by the authors’ continuous mention of her passing and the anxiety it caused. After stepping away from the book for a couple of days, it occurred to me that as a white woman, I couldn’t possibly know or imagine the constant terror of being discovered as a member of the Black race; especially at the turn of the century with the rise of Jim Crow laws and the KKK. After that epiphany, I found the reminders of Greene’s anxiety crucial to understanding how successful she was and how amazing it was that she accomplished what she did. For you see, Greene didn’t hide in the library. As a Morgan’s personal librarian, she was invited to and attended the very rich people’s social affairs, including lavish parties and weekend get-aways. The story has other engrossing details about Greene’s life, including her affair with a married man. It was a life well lived and story well told. I hope you enjoy the book as much I did.

The Secrets Held Dear
"The Old North bell tolls the hour" begins the book and from there I did not put it down again until the very last "whose name was Belle da Costa Greene", The next day I read it again straight through. Benedict and Murray have created a wonderfully rich and well written look at life in the early 1900's and so much beyond.

Belle de Costa Greene was, historically, a very powerful woman and yet has never crossed my radar. The authors described a woman of great intelligence, style and depth one can never know enough about. For all the women I have read about and studied over the years this one should have crossed my radar sooner and yet did not. What a wonder - then or now. I look forward to continued research of Greene. Greene is the product of parents who funnel into her their deep personal though divergent passions all of which allowed her to succeed.

The secrets held dear by the characters in this amazing book are no different than many of the secrets such as race, religious and sexual identity held in the world today. The strains and constraints of holding these secrets dear are highlighted by many of the characters found in this book. The prejudice highlighted by the non-secret holders are the same against race, religion and a sexual identity proving history either keeps repeating itself or humans, as a rule, do not grow.

That being said there is so very much more to The Personal Librarian! The saga of how the Pierpoint Morgan Library grew from a small private library into the world class public institution of today primarily with the expertise of Greene, the personal librarian, and the money of J.P. Morgan along with his son Jack is fascinating.

The layers and layers of education in the areas of art, early manuscripts, fine art auctions, negotiations, politics, the early civil rights movement, "passing" for white, the suffragette movement, fashion of the day and lifestyles of the rich and famous. Anyone of these areas would have been a fine subject standing alone and yet due to expertise of the authors it is never overwhelming.

Perhaps and needless to say this is a fabulous book! This is a book which should be must for all but in particular for Book Clubs who could have many hours of discussion through the many layers.

What I love most about historical fiction is that you are twice blessed while reading the novel. One learns something new about some time or somebody in history with an added plus of a good story. This is how I feel about The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. What a wonderful story about Belle’s triumphs as an independent woman in the early 1900’s. She is knowledgeable, carries the financial support of her family and is respected and trusted by one of the most influential man of the time, J. P. Morgan. Mr. Morgan not only relied on her expertise, but at times it appears that he might even have been in love with her. She accomplishes all of this while keeping the secret of her true heritage. Belle’s interior struggle to be her own woman, both professionally and ethically, tells the story of a woman in conflict. She yearns to honor her father and to help her people. A genuinely good book, both enjoyable and informative.

The Personal Librarian story is a compelling historical fiction of a black woman working as a white woman for JP Morgan. The inner tension of hiding her background and going to the extra miles to be her best and not bring attention to herself is palpable throughout the book. The heritage from her father also brings an element of questioning the benefits of living life as a white woman versus a life of sacrifice and suffering under the promise of equality. But the story is more than transcending the skin color. Belle da Costa Green was a strong woman who made her mark in a world predominant by white males. First, working for JP Morgan was in itself an accomplishment with his demands and special attentions. But where Belle da Costa Green shines is in the world of incunabula, arts, auctions and dealerships. I learned about Hans Memling illuminated manuscript, painted by Flemish illustrator Simon Bening. Also, I was fascinated by the research and discovery of Le Morte d’Arthur, the legend of King Arthur and the Knights at the Round Table, printed in 1485 by William Caxton, to name a few of the treasures mentioned in the story.
I will recommend this novel for my bookclub. There are so may themes to discuss.
Thank you BookBrowse and Netgalley for a free ebook in return for an honest review.

I'm sure most of you are unfamiliar with the person written about in THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN (Berkley) by authors, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. She happens to be one of the most interesting people I've ever read about, and I believe you will find her intriguing too.

In 1905, at the age of twenty-one, Belle da Costa Green was hired by financier, steel, railroad and electric power magnate, J.P. Morgan to become his personal librarian for the collection he wanted to build. He entrusted her completely, to negotiate for and buy millions of dollars worth of manuscripts, books and art for Morgan. She told Morgan, who was willing to pay any price for important works, that her goal was to make his library "pre-eminent, especially for incunabula, manuscripts, bindings and the classics." Acquiring rare and valuable items was a way wealthy families showed off their status. Belle was immediately welcomed into New York City's high-society and was soon mingling with Astors, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and other members of the "swells."

But from the very beginning, Belle had a secret. It was a secret that if discovered would crumble down and destroy her and her family, who she provided for. I'm not going to give away the secret, but the whole story is true, with some literary license, and really amazing.

Belle was a trailblazer as a single, successful career woman in the early in the early 1900's. THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN deals family, sacrifice, truth and lies. A definite must read.

Combining fiction and history Benedict and Murray do a wonderful job of bringing the relationship between JP Morgan and Bella Greene to light. Bella, who’s hiding the secret of her origin is a trailblazer and interesting woman. I really enjoyed this look at history through fiction.

What a great book about someone I knew nothing about ! Belle de la costa Greene was such a trailblazer for women.. long before women had the opportunity to be in power. I can’t imagine the fear she lived in every day hoping that her secret wasn’t revealed, but she stared that fear in the eye and made her way up the professional and monetary ranks. Loved this story... was very well written and although not complete fact, was very well researched and presented as a profound historical piece.

This is a truly interesting story, relevant to the always current conversations about race and privilege in America. However, I found the writing subpar, with stilted conversation and clumsy exposition. I wish that an editor had worked with the author to improve this book.

The Personal Librarian anchors history with fiction in this well written novel by Marie Benedict coauthored with Victoria Christopher Murray. Marie Benedict writes about roles women have played throughout history. The novel portrays this role in the secret life of Belle da Costa Greener, the personal secretary to financier JPMorgan. She is born Belle Marion Greener and her early life prepares her with proper manners , protocols and respect. She has seen many injustices throughout her life. And as Belle da Costa Greene, she carries a life altering secret that impacts her and the responsibilities to her family.
The descriptive prose draws the reader in as well as the excellent dialogue. Told from Belle’s point of view, the audience becomes entrenched in the life long conflict of Belle as a colored woman living as a white woman during 1900’s.

Fascinating Story of an Amazing Woman (2/1/2021)
Once I started reading The Personal Librarian, I couldn't put it down and finished it the same day. What a truly remarkable story about Belle Da Costa Greene who became the personal librarian and curator of J. P. Morgan's unequaled collection of illustrated medieval manuscripts, incunabula ( books printed before 1500) and rare paintings.

Belle's father, a trailblazer himself, introduced Belle to at an early age. At one time she was one of the most successful business women in America, an outsider in numerous ways invited to and attending engagements with the New York elite of the gilded age. Yet, I'd never heard of her until reading this novel. This is a woman I would have loved to know. (less)

I have read and enjoyed other Marie Benedict's books, heard of this one she coauthored and the subject matter; added it to my want-to-read shelf. I have been looking forward to this book since August 2020, excited when I received it 1/26/21. I began reading reading immediately.

Travel back to November 1905, Princeton University in New Jersey
she is a librarian in all-male institution when life changes for her!

The descriptions of library/librarian matches my own.

(I have many more notes, need to check final copy before I post)
I highly recommend this book!!

As a retired public librarian, I was drawn to this title for obvious reasons. Yet I was unprepared for the non-stereotypic, incredible story of Belle de Costa Greene, personal librarian to J.P. Morgan. This fictional account of Belle Marion Greener, who became de Costa Greene in order to hide her racial heritage is a history lesson both fascinating and humbling.
While “passing” is a fundamental theme in the story, the world of the rich and famous during the early 20th century is also central. A young Greene, working as a librarian at Princeton, was introduced to J.P. Morgan by his nephew, a friend of Miss Greene. The introduction was fueled by the younger Morgan’s knowledge of Greene’s intelligence, passion for knowledge and work ethic. These qualities were so evident to the venerable J.P. Morgan, that he almost immediately entrusted her with acquiring some of the world’s most valued art and literary antiquities for his personal library. A relationship that began a lifetime career for Greene and resulted in the respected Morgan Library and Museum of today.
Bennett and Murray have done a credible job of turning Greene’s story into a real-life drama. Never a shushing bespectacled matron dusting shelves, Greene was known for her clever negotiation savvy and vibrant style. The many rumors about her non-library life are teased out to reveal how the mores of the time were navigated by this consequential woman of history. This portrayal of the diminutive (in stature only) Greene and her ability to navigate a purely (white) man’s world with her wit, tenacity and intelligence is unforgettable.
Recommended for those who crave learning about the courageous women of the past who were fearless in pursuit of their dreams.

This is the little known story of Bella da Costa Green and her life as personal librarian to J.P. Morgan. The story provides a fascinating look at the process of building and collecting a library of rare books, manuscripts and art. But, it is also the story of a beautiful, intelligent and witty black woman, living as white, pursuing a career in the affluent New York society of the gilded age.

Bella had to go to extraordinary lengths to protect her family, her secrets and Morgan's legacy while living as authentic a life as possible.

I loved this book and the manner in which the authors provides a glimpse into the life and times of both celebrities and common people of the day.

Reading this book against the backdrop of violence and racism expressed during the summer of 2020 made Bella's life and efforts even more compelling.

I would certainly recommend this book to a wide-range of readers, especially those who love historical fiction, art and above all books.

THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN
By Marie Benedict &
Victoria Christopher Murray
This book is professionally written by the combination of authors, one cannot tell the difference where one takes over a particular scene. At the end of the book the authors have notes which gives the reader a hint as to who wrote what. They have chosen to write this book in the first person, thus influencing the readers closeness to the protagonist.
The personal librarian is Belle da Costa Green, and she begins working for J. Pierpont Morgan in 1905 through the recommendation of his well-respected nephew Junius Morgan. Ms. Green had worked at Princeton University as a librarian for 5 years giving her the opportunity of meeting Junius.
Green has a secret; however, she must guard the rest of her life. She is a black woman living the life of a white person. Green’s mother Genevieve Fleet Green formerly Genevieve Greener divorced Richard Greener, the first black man to graduated from Harvard University and raised her light skin family as white, while dropping the “r” from their names. She moved the family from Washington D.C. to New York City in a rundown small apartment close to Columbia University where her son Russell studied. Bella had in addition to the brother, two sisters who were schoolteachers. Genevieve ruled the family with an iron fist teaching the children how to guard their secret life as a white family.
Belle leads a fantastic life developing a close relationship with J. P. Morgan as she buried her black life and lived and worked as an unmarried white woman the rest of her long life, while financially supporting her immediate family. She had the respect of many outfoxed art dealers not only in North America, but Europe as well. Belle was intelligent, beautiful, and had an extraordinarily effervescent personality known for her sharp quips. She turns Morgan’s renowned personal library into a library for the public after his death. A lifetime dream for Green.
This is a fascinating read following Belle’s career as she develops the J. P. Morgan library. She has many lovers and many suspects she and Morgan were lovers. Ms. Green always answered these inquiries with the quip “We tried”, which leaves the gossips still wondering.

Carolyn Leaman

Interesting Behind the Scenes of the Rich and Their Art

This was an interesting read on many levels. The novel depicts the story of Belle "Dacosta" Greene, the talented librarian of J P Morgan's vast art and manuscripts collection and her entrance into high society under a false persona given to her by her mother.

The authors intertwine issues of race, professional drive, and competition of the rich in acquiring valued, expensive pieces of antiquities into their personal collections. Belle is an intelligent, strong woman who navigates this world and the relationships it brings though her personal story is kept a mystery. An excellent read and education into the world J P Morgan and Belle.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is an engaging and fascinating historical fiction novel about J.P. Morgan's librarian, Belle da Costa Greene. At the turn of the century, American Financier Morgan hired Greene to be his librarian and help build up and curate his manuscripts and art library. Over time, he trusted Greene to run the library, make decisions about purchases, go to auctions, and more. Greene's career was a remarkable feat for a woman of that time; however, Greene had another secret that made it even more impressive. During this time, America was segregated, and people of color had very few rights. Greene had formerly been Belle Marion Greener, daughter of a black civil rights activist. Her mother took her and her siblings to New York, where they changed their names and were able to pass as white. Greene continually had to balance and moderate her life to ensure that nobody ever found out that she was of African-American descent. The book imagines what this struggle must have been like for Greene and depicts her rise in socialite society and her relationship with Morgan and their beloved library.
I was thoroughly enchanted with this book and its history. I also appreciate that when Benedict had the idea to write this story, she acknowledged that she, as a white woman, should not write it alone and should work with someone from the black community who would have a better understanding of what Greene would have gone through. Murray's grandparents were also in a situation where they would sometimes have to pass as white. Teaming up helped bring a stronger sense of understanding and empathy to the writing.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a story based on a strong, witty, passionate woman and anyone interested in this period!

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray will be published on June 1, 2021.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC.