The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Cristopher Murray

Warning: May contain spoilers

Summary:

Set in the early 1900s, Belle de Costa Greene (borne Belle Greener) lands a job as a personal librarian to the famous JP Morgan. She has lived her life as a white woman thus far however her new position will put her under more scrutiny and put in her in the public eye more than she’s ever been. She must build a budding library into the top of its class and keep the impossible JP Morgan satisfied, all while trying to keep the truth of her skin hidden.

My Thoughts:

I love period works and stories that take me to a different time. I know it’s a small thing, and it may be weird to some, but I adore the names the authors chose like Belle and Ethel. One of the things that made me fall in love with the story almost instantly was Belle’s love of books. Her work, the way she spends here days, the was she describes book. It’s a feeling I can relate to and a feeling I think many book lovers would enjoy while reading. 

Something to take note of is the transitions in this book. The authors tell the story of Belle’s life in chronological order however she focuses on the main events of her life. I genuinely loved the way they did this. You feel like you get to know Belle’s whole life without having to read five hundred pages or read dense, possibly boring, details of her life. The authors did a wonderful job of weaving historical facts with an intriguing story. If you read the author’s note at the end you find the intention was to not only make the story realistic but also one that fit with the known facts of Belle. One that could have been an actual possibility of how her life played out given how little is actually known about her.

As a reader, I have to say her mission was accomplished. After completing the book, I felt like that may have actually been her life and I even did a bit of research into Belle de Costa Greene. I cannot say enough good things about the authors because not only was the story they created plausible but they also made me want to know more about Belle and JP Morgan and the library.

The pressure Belle feels to fit in in a white male dominated world is something that is still relevant today. Something that I think many, including me, can relate to. I’m not saying we haven’t made some progress since the early 1900s. I’m just saying that for those of us who aren’t white can know what it feels like to have to work to fit in where you are not automatically accepted and to have to prove your worth. 

I feel the author has captured the true essence of her characters. All of the main characters are multi faceted which is exactly how people are. She has depicted JP Morgan, Belle, and her parents in such a way that you are able to see that despite the way they live and what they show to the world, there is so them more to them than meets the eye.

Now as for Belle herself, I fell in love with her character almost immediately. However, about half way through I really started to question some of her decisions and actions. She became strong and bold despite her fear of people finding out the truth behind her skin to the point that it seemed to fundamentally change her. Then I realized who am I to judge her and how she handled the pressure she was under. 

The death of JP Morgan. I was surprised by how sudden his death came about in the book. I believed he would play a role util the very end but the focus is on Belle through and through which I applaud and thank the authors for doing. JP Morgan is a prominent figure, however the authors decided to tell the story of Belle.

Initially I was a little disappointed with the ending. I was hoping Belle would finally feel comfortable enough in her life to live openly and more true to who she was. However, I think given the subject matter the ending was well done and realistic. After all racism still exists and Belle kept her identity a secret to the end. 

Honestly, I would say drop everything and go pick up this book! It’s such a great read and so beautifully written that it has become one of my go to recommendations.