The Personal Librarian

 By: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray   

Location: FIC MUR

Genre: Historical Fiction 

“The deeper we each read, the more we would understand about this world”

The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan's personal librarian - who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true, from 'New York Times' best-selling author Marie Benedict and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.

In her late 20s, 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 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.

Review Goodreads: Marilyn

What an extraordinary historical fiction novel these two talented authors, Marks Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray have succeeded in writing together! The talents of these two brilliant authors meshed together flawlessly to write this incredible novel, The Personal Librarian. Before reading The Personal Librarian, I had never heard of Belle da Costa Greene. Her story was one of courage and inspiration during a time when it was not only difficult for women to succeed in a man’s world but posed even more so for an African American woman. I listened to the audio CD that was well narrated by Robin Miles. The Personal Librarian, both a fascinating and timely historical fiction book , was meticulously researched.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray was about deceit and allegiance. It was both captivating and fascinating and depicted the life of such a courageous and brave woman that history had little to say about. Belle da Costa Greene was forced to live a guarded life, always afraid that her secret would be exposed. The Personal Librarian was a very timely novel. Although women have made strides in the workplace, men still remain dominant and in some instances still earn more than women. Racism and equality for all still remains a big problem that must be rectified. I really enjoyed listening to The Personal Librarian and recommend it very highly. I hope these two talented authors team up again to write another inspiring historical fiction novel.