The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray

by Emily Harper

Genres: Audiobook, Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2022

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the personal librarian to JP Morgan. It tackles so many issues that are still prevalent in today’s world.

[Kathy Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book to be a little heavy handed on the racial issues because there were such profound societal upheavals during that immigration time period. It wasn't just black citizens who were oppressed and maligned but also Russian Jews. Italians, Irish and others. The book didn't set the story in the larger context.

[Lorraine McCleary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction of JP Morgan's art/ rare book librarian. She passed herself as white in order to support her family and to fly in the white world of the 20's and 30's. She became one of the most successful women of the century. The author teamed up with a black author which gave the novel credibility in how this woman would have felt and dealt with a racist world. I do have issues with made up stories based on conjecture .

[Karen Brownell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. I had never heard of Belle Da Costa Greene. Of course, I knew a lot about J. P Morgan.

I read the actual book by Marie Benadict and Victoria Christopher Murray. This is the second time recently that I used the search feature on Goodreads to find the book that I had just read. I clicked on it. And what was posted to my "Read" page was the summary rather than the book. What is up with that?

[Donna Isroff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a phenomenal well written story of a long, forgotten Woman from the Gilded Age. This is the story of Belle, a young, intelligent, black woman who lived As a white woman and her story as JP Morgan’s Right hand in amassing the finest collection of manuscripts , books , snd art for the Morgan library in New York City. I couldn’t put it down.

[Nedra Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both authors added lengthy notes at the end of the book but neither thought to include information about when it was discovered she was black (during her lifetime, or after death?), how that came about and how it affected her legacy and her family. This is information I would very much like to have without deep research. They obviously had this information.

[Brandon Dillenback · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about a light skinned African American was able to become the personal librarian for J.P Morgan in an era where it would have been detrimental for people to learn about her ethnicity. Very slow start, but gradually got better every step of the way.

[Sarah Meytin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book by Marie Benedict that I’ve very much enjoyed. Going to look for more by this author!

[Claude Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of survival.

[John W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a Black American who was the personal librarian of J.P.Morgan and had to hide her Black identity to build her career.

[Lucia Sharpley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book! The love of art and art history permeate the pages. Just so wonderful to read and soak up all the history. I loved it. Will be one of my favorite books to recommend to friends.

[Judy Herzig-marx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to visiting the Morgan Library next time I visit NYC.

[Ajay Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't care for the writing style. My inner editor kept wanting to rewrite it, so it might be better for other readers, but not for me.

[Ruth A. Martz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, informative, well-written, great book!

[Lesley]

terrific read

[Velma Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book about the woman who became the foremost buyer of art and manuals for the J P MORGAN LIBRARY.

[Kathleen Valeriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story based in early 20th century
Characters well developed

[Shirley Laliberte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the book. Great historical fiction.

[Roz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and engaging insights into a fascinating era of our nation’s history.