The personal librarian
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Publication Date
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Language
English
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Description
Over one million copies sold!The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A Good Morning America* Book Club Pick!Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post!“Historical fiction at its best!”*A remarkable novel about 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 in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.In her twenties, 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 in New York City society 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 create 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 a 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 she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.
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Contributors
Benedict, Marie Author
Christopher Murray, Victoria Author
Miles, Robin Narrator
Murray, Victoria Christopher author
Christopher Murray, Victoria Author
Miles, Robin Narrator
Murray, Victoria Christopher author
ISBN
9780593101537
9780593101551
9780593409718
9780593101544
9781648383304
9780593414248
9780593101551
9780593409718
9780593101544
9781648383304
9780593414248
Appears on these lists
Subjects
Subjects
African American Fiction
African American women -- Fiction
African American women librarians -- Biography -- Fiction
Fiction
Greene, Belle da Costa -- Fiction
Historical Fiction
Large type books
Literature
New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1898-1951 -- Fiction
New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1898-1951 -- Juvenile fiction
Passing (Identity) -- Fiction
Pierpont Morgan Library -- Fiction
Women librarians -- Fiction
African American women -- Fiction
African American women librarians -- Biography -- Fiction
Fiction
Greene, Belle da Costa -- Fiction
Historical Fiction
Large type books
Literature
New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1898-1951 -- Fiction
New York (N.Y.) -- History -- 1898-1951 -- Juvenile fiction
Passing (Identity) -- Fiction
Pierpont Morgan Library -- Fiction
Women librarians -- Fiction
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Similar Titles From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These New York-set stories explore African American women passing for white in the early 20th century. -- Hannah Gomez
Readers interested in the complex life of rare books librarian Belle da Costa Greene, who passed as white at the turn of the 20th century, may appreciate both the fictional (Personal Librarian) and biographical (Illuminated Life) versions of her story. -- Autumn Winters
In early 20th century New York City, ambitious Black women pass for another race and quietly gain power and influence in these engaging, richly detailed works of biographical fiction. -- Autumn Winters
These books have the theme "facing racism"; the subjects "librarians," "passing (identity)," and "racism"; and include the identity "black."
These character-driven and richly detailed works of biographical fiction trace the stories of fascinating and influential women in arts and letters from the turn of the 20th century, Isabelle Stewart Gardner (Lioness) and Belle da Costa Greene (Librarian). -- Malia Jackson
These biographical novels may appeal to readers seeking richly detailed portrayals of fascinating Black women who made their mark during the early-to-mid 20th century. Both books are well-researched and enlightening. -- Catherine Coles
These intricately plotted, character-driven novels depict ambitious women in a male-dominated society. In By Any Other, the woman is a playwright hiding her gender, while in The Personal Librarian, she is a librarian and art collector hiding her Black identity. -- Mary Olson
Although The Personal Librarian is historical fiction and Black Girls has a contemporary setting, both descriptive and engaging novels follow a character-driven narrative about an ambitious African American woman navigating the complexities of racism in work and personal life. -- Malia Jackson
These books have the appeal factors stylistically complex, leisurely paced, and multiple perspectives, and they have the theme "rags to riches"; the genre "book club best bets"; the subjects "rich people," "american people," and "north american people"; and characters that are "complex characters" and "flawed characters."
These character-driven novels are based on real African American women from Gilded Age New York City. Both focus on how passing for white allowed access to upper echelons of society, professional work, and education unavailable to most Black people of the era. -- Hannah Gomez
Readers interested in richly detailed biographical fiction about African American women who found great professional success will appreciate these engaging own voices novels about a rare books librarian (The Personal Librarian) and a real estate developer (Carolina Built). -- Malia Jackson
These engaging historical novels follow the stories of complex Black women who pass as white and fear being exposed. The Personal Librarian is based on the real-life story of Bella de Costa Greene; The Vanishing Half is entirely fictionalized. -- Catherine Coles
Similar Authors From NoveList
NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Both Melanie Benjamin and Marie Benedict write engaging, richly detailed historical fiction based on real people. Inspired by actual events, the authors imagine the interior lives of their characters and create moving portrayals of complex men and women. -- Halle Carlson
Fans of Marie Benedict's intricately plotted, richly detailed stories may also enjoy Karen Harper's historical fiction. Benedict and Harper write compelling novels that focus on the inner lives of famous figures and those adjacent to them. Strong female characters, dramatic storylines, and engaging writing are typical of both authors. -- Catherine Coles
Using real people as inspiration, Marie Benedict and Erika Robuck write compelling biographical fiction about authentic characters. Vivid period details and complex characterizations foster a sense that the reader is getting a peek into the inner workings of these famous figures' lives. -- Halle Carlson
Readers who enjoy Marie Benedict's historical stories may also appreciate Paula McLain's novels inspired by real people. Both authors explore and imagine the relationships, dreams, and heartbreaks of inimitable women and the people surrounding them. Their moving stories include rich detail and atmosphere. -- Halle Carlson
These authors' works have the appeal factors cinematic, and they have the subjects "african american women," "sexism," and "racism"; and include the identity "black."
These authors' works have the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "librarians," "libraries," and "passing (identity)"; and include the identity "black."
These authors' works have the subjects "african american women," "rich people," and "passing (identity)."
These authors' works have the appeal factors sweeping, and they have the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "african american women," "ambition," and "african americans"; and include the identity "black."
These authors' works have the appeal factors stylistically complex and leisurely paced, and they have the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "african american women," "race relations," and "identity"; include the identity "black"; and characters that are "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors cinematic and sweeping, and they have the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "african american women," "african american women journalists," and "race relations"; and include the identity "black."
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These authors' works have the genre "african american fiction"; the subjects "african american women," "upper class," and "racism"; and include the identity "black."
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