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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

I don't read all that much historical fiction these days but I really loved this! What an interesting woman with a compelling story.

I had never heard of Belle de Costa Greene. I knew of the JP Morgan Library, but I had no idea of the woman behind library or her fascinating story. It is so appropriately a book for our time - spanning the time from the Civil War to the 1940's, as they enveloped the story of Belle's parents and how she came to live the secret life she chose. I enjoyed this book and recommend to everyone who loves art and literature, as well as social challenges and changes.

In The Personal Librarian, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray weave together a fictional account of the life of Belle La Costa Greene, the personal librarian to JP Morgan. Belle helped him develop a world renowned collection of rare books and manuscript in the early 1900s. She did this as a Black woman while passing for white.
This work of historical fiction is an interesting look at the life of a remarkable woman.
I was given an ARC of The Personal Librarian by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#thepersonallibrarian
#mariebenedict
#victoriachristophermurray
#netgalley

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray does what I love best about historical fiction. It introduces me to a history I might never otherwise have learned. This book tells a story of surviving in a racist, segregated society and the compromises made to endure. It keeps me turning pages beginning to end and sends me on a search for the actual history that underlies the fiction.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/10/the-personal-librarian.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Excellent historical fiction! The true story of a librarian who worked for JP Morgan and was also passing as white. This was a fascinating story based on a true story. I enjoyed the Morgan Library story because I used to live in NYC. The Morgan Library and its origins is defined by the relationship of Belle, the librarian, and JP Morgan. The history and details of racism in the US are excruciating and necessary. I loved the stories of how the treasures were found and purchased by Belle.

After reading multiple historical fiction/biographical fiction books by Marie Benedict, I was excited to read one about a topic like this.

Belle De Costa Greene is a light skinned African American woman who has found luck in being employed by one of the the richest men in the world, J.P Morgan. Pierpont Morgan, as he goes by, puts her to the task of being his personal librarian, helping him procure rare books and items that make his library one of the most enviable and illustrious libraries in the world. Part of Belle's job is hiding who she is in plain sight and toeing the line the ever precarious line of obtaining these materials for Mr. Morgan and not being caught out for who she is.

Firstly, Belle is amazing. I loved that she went from someone who helped Pierpont keep track of items, to reading to him, to actually negotiating with people to acquire materials. I LOVED that growth. Some of the materials she found too. Just beyond enviable. I ended up researching some of the items too because I hadn't even heard of them and was just in absolute awe once I had heard of them. Belle and her characterization was the strongest part of this story.

I think two things really pulled this story down. A. The book needed more outside interaction showing us Belle's life beyond the library. I understand that the book really wanted to make readers aware of Pierpont, who he was and how their relationship built over time. But the book was mainly supposed to be about Belle. I just feel like her life was probably so much more than the library. Maybe I'm wrong?

The book how it's built though? Should have quit with Pierpont dying or close after. I just had a lot of trouble finishing it. If the book had built more layers to Belle's life outside of the library I think finishing it would have been easier. It's too bad because Belle is just fascinating. But the way it's built it does come off as a book who needs two strong voices off and on. So eh.

Overall, I did enjoy it. I hoped it would be my favorite, not the case unfortunately.

Thank you for the ARC!

A moving account of the life of an extraordinary individual that served behind the scenes yet played an important role in the life of JP Morgan and New York’s art society world as a strong visionary, creative, and bold influencer yet silently waged the wars of racism.

There are many books lately about librarians out there, but this one really has an intriguing backstory. The characters were very well written and the plot was well built up.

5 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, even if you don't ask

This one was a well researched historical fiction based on the life of Belle de Costa Greene. Even though she was the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard, her complexion allowed her to pass as a white lady. Her family used this to her advantage and changed her name to allow her more opportunities.

I learned many things, and it made me want to go learn more about people like her.

An excellent addition to Marie Benedict's collection and perfect for library and museum lovers.
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What a fascinating figure in history. I’d not heard of Belle Dacosta Greene before but her story was moving and left much to consider.

Amazing topic but didn’t quite hit the mark. I was not a fan of the writing style but could see how others could love it. The story of a colored female’s accomplishments at a time when all females had a hard time in the working industry was an amazing topic to read about. I just wish it was executed differently. I would still recommend as a nice read for lovers of historical romance.

I received a free copy of Personal Librarian from Net Galley. Belle de Costa Green was the first Librarian of the J. P. Morgan Library in New York City. This is a fictional account of her life and her potential struggles. Belle had two strikes against her when she applied for the job and one was a secret that could have seen her severely punished. Belle was pretending to be a white woman in what was initially a man's world of purchasing acquisitions of art and rare books. She made her mark in history and helped make the institution into what it is today. I recommend this book to librarians and to readers of historical fiction

I was given the opportunity to read the ARC for my honest review from NetGalley. I LOVED this book!

This is the first book that I have read by Marie Benedict, but it definitely will not be the last. I own quite a few of her books and cannot wait to read them.

The Personal Librarian is based off of J.P. Morgan's personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene. A black woman who passes as white during a time where racism is strong. I was immersed in this book from the first sentence. As Belle rose to become a star in the New York society pages and the art world, I was finding myself routing for her and holding my breath every time that she thought that her secret could be found out. Her intellect, perseverance, strength, charm, and style made her into the woman that she was during a time where women had the lower hand. I am looking forward to my trip to New York City to see the Pierpont Morgan Library and relive all of the pages in this book.