The Personal Librarian is a historical fiction book based on the life of Belle De Costa Green, who was hired by J.P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. What a fascinating book! I knew absolutely nothing about Belle before starting this book. I love learning through books!
📚 Book Review 📚
Title: The Personal Librarion
Author: Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Belle was fascinating, courageous, and oh boy was she driven! It was during a time just when woman were being noticed and finding a professional place in society. But, Belle did it all as a Black woman passing as a white woman. Unbelievable! Belle became 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 helped create a world-class collection. ⬅️ This was so fun to read about. So many times was I thinking #yougogirl Cliche? Maybe. But true!
This book is a book about books. But, it also has an underlying tone and theme of racial injustices since Belle is actually the daughter of the first Black graduate of Harvard, Richard Greener.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a slow burn book. I enjoyed learning about a new woman in history. I will basically read any books about books, libraries, or art. Admittedly, I am also very fascinated by the concept of a Black person passing as a white person. I did not know this was a thing in history until I read The Vanishing Half.