The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Compact Disc Benedict)
Working in a library, as I do, I
tend to flag any new books with “library” in the title, for my personal reading
enjoyment. Sometimes they end up as duds, but sometimes you find a gem. This
falls into the latter category.
The Personal Librarian is historical fiction,
based mostly on historical fact. Born Belle Marion Greener, to black parents,
under her mother’s influence, Belle changed her name to Belle da Costa Greene,
and as a light-skinned woman of color, managed to pass her self off as “white”
in early 1900s society. While working at the Princeton University Library,
Belle was encouraged by a nephew of the great financier, J. Pierpont Morgan, to
apply for the position as Morgan’s “personal librarian” at the eponymous
library he was establishing to house his collection of rare manuscripts and art
work. She was hired for the position, despite her young age.
This novel, based on what historical
records have survived, explores Belle’s life and experiences as she helps J.P.
Morgan create one of the world’s foremost libraries, and her efforts to
continue their work after his passing, all while she has to conceal her true
heritage from the world at large. This is 50% “love letter” to the passion for
the preservation of knowledge, and 50% about Belle’s personal life and the
challenges she faces maintaining a public persona that differs from her true
self.
All in all, I enjoyed The Personal Librarian quite a lot. There are lots
of great “moments” or “scenes” throughout the book, though in the end I felt
that the driving central plot was a bit lackluster. I found Belle’s
on-again/off-again relationship with a distant suitor to be a bit tiresome and
overwrought. Fans of historical fiction, and of literature exploring the
sacrifices made by those of African-American descent in order to fit into a
racist and demeaning society, will both find much to appreciate in this one. I
listened to the book-on-CD audio adaptation of The Personal Librarian, narrated by actress Robin
Miles, and she does a terrific job with this novel.
( US publisher’s official The Personal Librarian web page ) | (
official Marie
Benedict and Victoria
Christopher Murray web sites )
Recommended
on audio by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service
When twenty-six-year-old Belle da
Costa Greene interviews with J. P. Morgan in 1905 for the position of personal
librarian to help collect rare manuscripts and art for his private Pierpont
Morgan Library, she has to speak carefully. In part, she is hiding her limited
library experience working at Princeton University Library and her teacher’s
education. However she also is hiding a much bigger and dangerous secret. Belle
is not who she seems. Her middle name is not da Costa and she doesn’t get her
dark complexion from a Portuguese grandmother. Belle da Costa Greene is
actually Belle Marion Greener. Her heritage is African American and her father
was the first Black graduate from Harvard and a vocal advocate of equal rights.
Although the book is fiction, authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher
Murray create a story of what it must have been like for real-life Belle Marion
Greener to work with the out-spoken Morgan, act as an intelligent and witty
competitor in a world of men, and all the while keep her true identity
protected. Some women celebrate her accomplishments and use her as a model as
they fight for equal rights; others would prefer to see her fail. In addition,
she has to keep her romantic relationship discreet because of his heritage and
her employer’s dislike and competition with the man.
As a historical fiction novel, I
enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about this strong, clever, and inspiring
woman, as well as the rare manuscript and art collection she helped assemble
and eventually make available to the general public. Although there was always
the underlying threat that Belle might be discovered, I didn’t feel an
overwhelming urgency to the story. I didn’t find myself racing to get to the
next chapter. Perhaps the two authors felt that it was important to put
together a book to educate its reader rather than entice. I will say that if
you are a lover of historic fiction, this is one to put on your reading list
just to learn about this inspiring woman.
(If you enjoy this, you may also
wish to try The Paris Library by Janet Skeslian Charles or The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin.)
Recommended in print by Cindy K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service
Have you read or listened to
this one? What did you think? Did you find these reviews helpful?
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