Description
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.
Anya Abernathy @enid98_581
July 28, 2021
4
The Personal Librarian is well worth reading as it will introduce you to a person in a world you have probably never encountered before. Belle DaCosta Green, Personal Librarian to JP Morgan. The book’s title itself is intriguing. What does a Personal Librarian do exactly? The job probably varies, but Belle’s position is not only to organize and catalog Morgan’s collection of rare books and incunabula but to actually research, select, and purchase the collection! However, this novel is more about Belle, who she is, and what she accomplishes than what she does in her job. You will want to know more about this extraordinary woman and how her story intersects with current events. The Personal Librarian is an intriguing story of a woman who lived in America at the turn of the century. It is beautifully written. You will not want to put it down nor for it to end. Highly recommended.