Whether you have been a tourist visiting the main attractions in New York City, grew up in one of the five boroughs, or simply dream of seeing Times Square and Lady Liberty, there’s no doubt you have heard of the Morgan Library. Founded by iconic banker J. P. Morgan in 1906, it began as a place for Morgan to keep his own private book collection, which had expanded to the point that it could no longer fit in his home. His books were not ordinary tomes, but rather a highly selective collection of illuminated manuscripts, famous authors’ original manuscripts, autographed and annotated scores from the likes of Beethoven and Chopin, and even some Renaissance artwork.

What you might not know about the Morgan Library is that, while Morgan himself was devoted to his cause and had a good eye for purchases, he was greatly aided in his endeavor by his personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene. And what you definitely don’t know --- don’t worry, you’re not alone --- is that this esteemed woman of Portuguese descent was born Belle Marion Greener, a Black woman.

In THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, Marie Benedict, best known for her works uncovering the private lives of famous forgotten women, and Victoria Christopher Murray, author of STAND YOUR GROUND, introduce readers to Belle, who is forced to pass as white by her mother, whose light skin affords her opportunities that place her with the upper echelon of Manhattan’s elite. A devout reader and lover of art history, Belle is recommended to the role of personal librarian by Morgan’s nephew, Junius. Rather than wilting under the mercurial banker’s gaze, Belle is proud, confident and witty, and she soon earns his respect as both his employee and his colleague.

Taught to respect art and its history by her father, a proud Black activist, Belle is primed for the role. More importantly, she is hungry for it, driven not only by the income she needs to support her mother and siblings, but also by her respect and awe for the books and artworks that Morgan acquires. Though Belle has passed as white --- her olive tone explained by a “Portuguese grandmother” --- for a decade already, she tries a new tactic while working for Morgan, choosing to stand out rather than blend in. She wears bright dresses, attends the best galas, and shocks and delights her male coworkers with her wit and confidence.

In true Benedict fashion, we are immediately immersed in Belle’s world, full of glorious descriptions of illuminated manuscripts, silk- and velvet-lined libraries, and jewel-toned dresses worn at elaborate balls and galas. Her relationship with her employer provides the drama, as Morgan is demanding and stubborn but also proud and supportive of her. Belle herself succeeds at every task save one: acquiring Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d'Arthur by the printer William Caxton, the man credited with bringing the printing press to England. The volume Morgan wants is one of only two copies, and no one knows quite where it is, though Belle is certain that if anyone can find it, she can. As her hunt continues in the background, we watch as she upends entire auctions, forms relationships with collectors and gallerists, and puts her own mark on the Morgan Library.

All the while, the women’s suffrage movement simmers in the background, with Belle becoming a role model for other young women desperate to succeed in a world full of men. Through it all, Belle grapples with her own identity. Is it wrong, she wonders, to use the color of her skin to rise in the ranks as so many white people have done before her? Is she letting down her ancestors by hiding her Blackness and passing as white? And, most troubling of all, what will happen if Morgan and the rest of the art world discover her secret?

Although Belle makes quite a name for herself in Manhattan’s art scene, she is not without her detractors. Morgan’s daughter, Anne, makes constant references to the idea that Belle has “tropical” roots. Later, as Belle rises to her own fame, she takes on a lover who seems at first to understand her struggle, but then abandons her when she needs him most. Even her relationship with Morgan is occasionally contentious, full of “blink and you’ll miss it” moments of sexual tension and bouts of volatility. No matter the circumstance, Benedict and Murray’s depiction of Belle is unwavering, compelling and relatable. The authors have infused Belle with an innate sense of courage and power that makes her absolutely leap off the page, and her grapples with identity, race and otherness are full of deeply explored pain, timely commentary and an intoxicating sense of recklessness.

I am a longtime Marie Benedict fan, and though I have not read any of Victoria Christopher Murray’s works before, it is easy to see what she brings to this book. While Benedict is skilled at historical research and fiction writing, Murray validates and expands upon the racism that Belle experiences and observes. There is a timeliness here, an immediacy, that I am not sure Benedict could have found on her own, and I am grateful and laudatory of her decision to include a Black author to help bring Belle to life. The microaggressions and internal conflicts are written with spellbinding honesty and vulnerability, and without them I fear Belle never would have felt as real.

Benedict and Murray each include an Author’s Note in the book’s back matter, and it is a real treat to hear about their research processes, approaches to writing and the parts of Belle that felt most crucial to them. Interestingly, the real Belle destroyed many of her records in an attempt to hide her secret, but I feel that she would be honored and moved by the work that these authors have done to introduce her to the world once again.

Both a stunning tribute to an amazingly courageous woman and a searingly timely exploration of race relations in America, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN is an extraordinary novel that will have you frantically googling the key figures to learn more. I won’t be ready to part with Belle and her contemporaries for a long time after finishing this one.

I enjoyed everything about this novel— from the beginning of the book to the story behind it and how these two authors came together to write it. It was so beautifully done and intriguing to learn so much about this incredible, gifted woman.

J. P. Morgan was looking for someone to curate and oversee his the library he was building - a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork. He hired Belle de Costa Greene - a woman of Portuguese descent. She had all the knowledge necessary of the important rare works, and with Morgan's finances and support she became fierce competitor in the rare antiquities market, intimidated by no one (other than Mr. Morgan).

But Belle had a secret. She was not of Portuguese descent. She was black. A negro. And in the 1920's a black woman was not allowed to be so educated or rubbing elbows with the rich and famous (unless it was as a servant). But Belle's light shade of skin allowed her to pass as a white woman. To do so, however, meant turning her back on who she really was, as well as constantly being wary of saying or doing the wrong thing or having someone uncover her secret.

I am quite new to the world of historical fiction books, but I've really come to appreciate a well-written tome in this genre. And The Personal Librarian is very well written.

Authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray have clearly done an incredible amount of research but they have not only presented a great deal of fascinating history, they've presented a very believable series of raw emotions of a woman who is both in her element (extremely knowledgeable about rare art antiquities) and out of her element (a black woman who has the absolute trust and support of one of the world's wealthiest men of the time).

There is a brief section dealing with a romance and the consequences of that romance that feels out of place with the rest of the book. This may be historically accurate and I recognize that some of the emotional trauma comes in to play much later in the book, but this felt like pandering to a particular readership and I didn't think it was necessary. If it were not included in the book, I would not have missed it as everything else about Belle and her work in the library and her secret as a black woman isn't impacted by the romance. For me, the suggestion and hint at a possible relationship with J.P Morgan was enough (and that's all I'll say about that).

I am not familiar with either author so I can't speak to recognizing who wrote which parts. This blended well and these two authors most clearly worked well as a team.

Looking for a good book? I very much enjoyed learning about Belle da Costa Greene, the librarian for the J. P Morgan library of rare books and art through the historical fiction novel, The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, and you will, too.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful book with fabulous research and fascinating characters. Everything Marie writes is exceptional and her collaboration with Victoria is inspired!

DNF'd at 65%. There was just too much morally questionable content and it made me really dislike all of the characters. In addition, I was just really bored with the writing. I did appreciate the context of Belle passing as white and the effect it had on not only her but her whole family.

I am so glad I read this book. I loved reading about Belle da Costa Greene and her life as JP Morgan's personal librarian. I thought she was portrayed as a strong, incredibly smart woman, which she must have been to succeed in a high profile job like she had. I loved her wit and wisdom. I was also very interested in learning about her family and why they made the choice to pass as white and the impact that had. I thought that part of the story was very thoughtfully done and sparked compassion and empathy in me. I was, however, a bit let down by the pacing at times and thought a few parts were quite slow. Overall I did really enjoy this book.

Benedict’s new book focuses on a little-known woman who rose to prominence through deceit, hard work and determination. Her name was Belle da Costa Greene, at least that’s the name she used. For a young fair Black woman at the turn of the century, becoming a crucial player in the world of rare books and documents, would necessitate a persona that would fit in. So Belle’s mother changed their names to help her children succeed, without the racial barriers that they would otherwise face. With Murray co-writing, the story of Belle’s rise to prominence explores the unusual story of someone in disguise, portraying a woman of Portuguese heritage who could maneuver through the world of the rich and powerful. Belle impressed the great JP Morgan with her savviness at outbidding or undercutting other book collectors. She became one of the most influential private librarians and helped Morgan amass a huge, impressive collection of unique books and manuscripts.

What makes this so riveting is the fact that Belle actually got away with her deception for all of her career. She ran the Morgan Library and built a remarkable collection that the public can delight in today. Benedict uses the facts and adds some flare with personal details to make Belle more than a book woman.

An interesting factor in the story is Belle’s father who was a real champion of Civil Rights and was not receptive to his wife’s efforts to re-invent the family and pretend to be White. He was an interesting man who lived a fascinating life and his refusal to abet his wife is an important part of the plot.

Having visited the Morgan Library in NYC, the vastness and uniqueness of the collection is readily apparent, as is the striking décor of the library. Morgan came to rely on Belle as he became obsessed with getting extraordinarily rare items that he coveted. Belle learned how to out-maneuver book buyers who were highly regarded. She loved her job and the opportunities her position afforded her.

There would have been no story had Belle’s mother not made the decisions she made. It would have been inconceivable for a Black girl to secure the job she had or hobnob with the wealthy at parties and gatherings. This all calls into play questions about racism and opportunities, or lack thereof, for people of color. A powerful and enthralling story of a real woman who accomplished the seemingly impossible.

Readers of Marie Benedict won't be disappointed by "The Personal Librarian!" Richly detailed and well-researched, Benedict and Murray have shed some much-needed light on another female figure obscured by history--Belle de Costa Greene.

Fans of "The Personal Librarian" may also enjoy "The Lions of Fifth Avenue" by Fiona Davis.

From the blurb: “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.”

This was a departure from what I normally read, but I enjoyed learning more about Belle da Costa Greene. It made me want to learn more about Belle! (I also deep dived the Morgan family to find out how exactly Sonja fits it to the family tree!) Definitely check this out if you like historical fiction!

Thanks to @NetGalley and Berkley for my ARC!

Another great entry from Marie Benedict. I truly appreciated the author's note, and her conversation with Victoria Christopher Murray, her coauthor. It is clear that they both wish to honor their historical subject, and imagine the world through the eyes of Belle da Costa Greene. The pace is a bit slower than I usually enjoy, but it suits the story and the style of narration. Belle is a compelling character, and I appreciated learning about her incredible accomplishments. A compelling read about a woman history should remember.

I'm sure this book will be a hit for this popular author. I found it a little dull. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Imagine having to adapt to a different persona as a white woman of Portuguese descent to justify the color of your skin day in and day out to fit in society. That’s the story of Belle da Costa Greene, a black woman able to pass as white and the personal librarian of J.P. Morgan that not only helped him acquire valuable items but earned his trust.

I found this book extremely interesting and it left me wanting to learn more about this intriguing woman and her family.

This is an interesting book. It is about Belle de Costa Green, a woman hired by JP Morgan to curate a collection for the Pierpont Morgan Library. She becomes well known in the social scene and also the art and book world.. But she has a secret. She is passing for white in a society that is not particularly open to African Americans. She goes to great lengths to protect her family and herself in a racist world. I do take a bit of exception to her being referred to as a librarian. She is more of a dealer in books and art than what we now consider a librarian to be. This is not a book about how the library was curated or how the items were acquired as much as about her relationships with people, including JP Morgan who was known for being racist. Overall, I rather enjoyed this book, but the writing was a tad dry and slow moving at times.

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 on the New York society scene 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 build 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 to which she must go—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives

I’d been looking forward to reading this novel for months. Although I received an advance reader copy some time ago, I’d been waiting for the audiobook as I enjoy alternating between the two. This is my third Marie Benedict book and thus far my favorite. Partially because of the subject, but also because her partnership with Victoria Christopher Murray lent a depth to the writing I haven’t seen in her solo work.

The Personal Librarian is fascinating. I love historical fiction because I am transported to an unfamiliar place and time and I always learn something (I'm great at a cocktail party). The authors clearly did extensive research to present the story, but also to delve into the world of rare books and art.
The book is a wonderful retrospective of many famous people, sung and unsung, and I especially enjoyed learning about the main character, Belle da Costa Greene, who possessed qualities I so admire in women operating in a man’s world. She had pluck, courage, intelligence, flair, cunning, and guttural instincts, and she found success despite having to hide her true identity—she fooled her employer, competitors, business associates, even intimate partners for decades. That level of secrecy must have been terribly stressful. Not only did she sacrifice her ethnicity for career success, her fear of discovery also affected her romantic life. She couldn't be herself with anyone other than her family. (I do wish, however, that her “passing” wasn’t mentioned so many times. It was redundant, and readers clearly understood the premise.)

The book was also an interesting character study of financier J.P. Morgan, a man who was bigoted and ruthless, yet trusted Belle implicitly to negotiate in his stead. A woman with that level of influence in the early 1900s was unheard of!

As an aside, I’m one of those book nerds who enjoys reading the author’s note as much as the narrative. In this case there were two, so it was double the fun. I thought they were over the top, though; too long, and too focused on racial issues instead of the broader context of the novel. There was more to Belle da Costa Greene than the color of her skin.

The Personal Librarian is an absorbing read by talented storytellers, and it lives up to the hype. Oh, and the audiobook’s narrator is excellent. 4.5 stars.

Loved it. Have had many patrons tell me how much they loved it too. Benedict paints a beautiful portrait of the time period, the characters, and the library! I'm always interested in reading fiction based on history and this was a study I'd never heard. Bella really lived a tremendous life despite faxing hardships and Benedict did justice to her story.

This was a fascinating story that I knew nothing about before reading. I'm now contemplating a visit to the Morgan to revisit the treasures detailed the book.

A wonderful look at a historical librarian with some of the greatest influence of her time, and likely modern time as well. In a time when being an outsider in any way could ruin opportunities, Belle Marion Greener balances her own identity as an African American woman with her impressive qualifications as the personal librarian to J. P. Morgan in a time when her heritage would prevent her from climbing ladders based on her skin tone.

Although I have read other books by Marie Benedict, including Lady Clementine, a fictional account of Clementine Churchill and The Other Woman and The Other Einstein, a fictional account of Mileva Maric, I was only able to get through the first few chapters of The Personal Librarian. Although I enjoy reading about lesser-known women in history, the characterization in this novel seems two-dimensional. I expected to be far more interested in the book.

I was so excited to see more people reading and learning about Belle De Costa Greene. I first learned about her from a classmate’s presentation in library school, and she seemed amazing. Female librarians weren’t well respected at the time, forget about the challenges of being a Black woman passing as white.

But…. This book was kind of a slog. There’s one pure moment of triumph, and it’s immediately followed by bittersweet interactions with other characters. Belle drinks too much and seems to want to escape her life. The whole book reminded me of that 30 Rock joke where Tracy Morgan’s character is going to get his Oscar by being in a movie called “Hard to Watch.” I believe it absolutely depicts De Costa Greene's life accurately (or as accurately as historical fiction allows) but... just not for me right now.

In another time, I might have liked it better, but alas, pandemic-fatigue Savanna wants fun reading, not “Hard to Read” books.

This is an interesting historical fiction novel about J. P. Morgan's personal librarian who helped him build his collection of art and rare books. Belle da Costa Greene was well known in New York society of the early 1900's, what was not known was that she was actually from a prominent black family passing as white. Belle must protect her secret and pursue her dream.
I enjoyed the book for the most part, though it did get a little predictable and start seemingly like I've read this book/story before. It will be enjoyed by historical fiction fans.