The Personal Librarian: A GMA Book Club Pick
The remarkable story of J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.
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Community Reviews
The subject of this historical novel, Belle da Costa Greene, is a fascinating character, a "colored" woman who passed as white and became the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan, curating and directing his growing personal library of priceless manuscripts and art pieces into one of the world's preeminent collections.
The authors were at a major disadvantage since Greene destroyed nearly all of her personal correspondence, depriving them of sources for her true voice. Unfortunately, the character of Belle always speaks in a nearly stodgy, academic way, and worse, several other characters sound the exact same way. JP Morgan sounds "real," blunt, sometimes offensive, but also very human. Belle lacks this nuance. Over time, Belle chooses to dress and speak boldly, even with an intention to shock, as a way of "hiding in plain sight," yet these instances only make her seem less coherent as a character, an odd disconnect to her otherwise overly zipped up persona. She generally sounds practiced and unnatural, even during moments of emotional turmoil. The writers also have Belle talk about "embracing my gender" back in 1908, something that is hard to imagine a woman of that era having said.
Racism pushed Belle to pass as white during her entire life for the sake of her professional achievements, which were remarkable for a man or woman in any generation, but the ongoing emphasis on racism as an immovable, implacable force in America selectively ignores the ways in which Black culture and arts were growing in the 1920s, a decade in which much of the storyline takes place. In addition to heartbreaking violence against Blacks, which is undeniable, there was also the Black Renaissance (Harlem Renaissance) where Black writers, musicians and composers gained prominence and respect among mainstream, white audiences and publishers. As Belle's life is devoted to the preservation of classic works of art and literature, she is also seen dabbling with Greenich Village society, so her failure to even notice the growing embrace of Black cultural contributions adds to the feeling that this novel was intended as much for a political statement as for a gripping story about a truly remarkable and multifaceted woman. How did Belle not notice Black writers such as Paul Laurence Dunbar, James Weldon Johnson, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston?
Finally, the historical note by the authors at the end indicates their belief that even when this book was published in 2021, almost nothing has changed in the US in terms of racism. This is so flagrantly false that it's an insult to the millions of Blacks who have notable achievements in every area of soceity.
The authors were at a major disadvantage since Greene destroyed nearly all of her personal correspondence, depriving them of sources for her true voice. Unfortunately, the character of Belle always speaks in a nearly stodgy, academic way, and worse, several other characters sound the exact same way. JP Morgan sounds "real," blunt, sometimes offensive, but also very human. Belle lacks this nuance. Over time, Belle chooses to dress and speak boldly, even with an intention to shock, as a way of "hiding in plain sight," yet these instances only make her seem less coherent as a character, an odd disconnect to her otherwise overly zipped up persona. She generally sounds practiced and unnatural, even during moments of emotional turmoil. The writers also have Belle talk about "embracing my gender" back in 1908, something that is hard to imagine a woman of that era having said.
Racism pushed Belle to pass as white during her entire life for the sake of her professional achievements, which were remarkable for a man or woman in any generation, but the ongoing emphasis on racism as an immovable, implacable force in America selectively ignores the ways in which Black culture and arts were growing in the 1920s, a decade in which much of the storyline takes place. In addition to heartbreaking violence against Blacks, which is undeniable, there was also the Black Renaissance (Harlem Renaissance) where Black writers, musicians and composers gained prominence and respect among mainstream, white audiences and publishers. As Belle's life is devoted to the preservation of classic works of art and literature, she is also seen dabbling with Greenich Village society, so her failure to even notice the growing embrace of Black cultural contributions adds to the feeling that this novel was intended as much for a political statement as for a gripping story about a truly remarkable and multifaceted woman. How did Belle not notice Black writers such as Paul Laurence Dunbar, James Weldon Johnson, Claude McKay, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston?
Finally, the historical note by the authors at the end indicates their belief that even when this book was published in 2021, almost nothing has changed in the US in terms of racism. This is so flagrantly false that it's an insult to the millions of Blacks who have notable achievements in every area of soceity.
I love the story of Belle how much she needed to work hard not just because she was a women of color but a women but I felt her whole family was expecting so much from HER and and that didnât sit well with me.
Book Club members found this to be interesting and enjoyable. Readers marveled at the main character’s knowledge, wit, business skill, and dedication to her family.
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