The Personal Librarian

The Personal Librarian
By Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Berkley, 2021. 336 pgs. Historical Fiction

In 1906, J.P. Morgan hired Belle da Costa Greene to run the Pierpont Morgan Library and its fabulous collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork.  Belle has thousands of dollars at her disposal as she participates in high-stakes auctions, while also navigating the tenuous social world of New York's elite and the volatile personality of Mr. Morgan himself.  As she attains international renown for her success, she hides a dangerous secret: she was born Belle Marion Greener, a black woman, the daughter of prominent African American parents.  Born with fair skin, Belle must keep her heritage a secret or risk all that she has accomplished, along with her family's safety.  Maintaining her secret drives every decision she makes and word she utters, as she rises through the ranks of an all-white, all-male world of curators and dealers, as well as a society that would love a good scandal.

This book was based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, a fascinating historical figure who seemingly did the impossible in a time when the stakes were incredibly high.  The real Belle left almost no records of her personal thoughts and correspondence, so the authors have taken the known facts of her life and inferred or made educated guesses as they filled in the rest.  The closeness of Belle's relationship with Mr. Morgan himself is one of the most astonishing aspects of the novel.  Supported by true details, it's clear that the two were close, although how close is left to conjecture.  It's a pleasure to come to know Belle better through this book, as such a remarkable life needs to be remembered and celebrated.

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BHG