Play Book Tag discussion

This historical novel that introduces readers to the life of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan, one of the wealthiest men of the Gilded Age. Set against the backdrop of New York's elite society in the early 20th century, this novel seamlessly blends fiction and history. Her life was largely obscured for years because exposure of her family secrets would have resulted in social ostracism.

Belle da Costa Greene née Belle Marion Greener, a woman who, in the 1900s, defied both the constraints of her time within the wealthy elite against women and blacks to establish herself as a prominent figure in the world of books and art. Employed by J.P. Morgan, Greene not only curated his vast collection of rare manuscripts and artwork but also helped shape his legendary library, which would later become part of the Morgan Library & Museum.

However, Greene’s success was achieved in part by hiding her true racial background. Born as a Black woman, she chose to present herself as white having a fair complexion, a decision that allowed her to gain access to elite spaces but also put her in a position of constant tension between her identity and her ambition. She changed her last name to further the charade.

The author delves into themes of race, identity, ambition, and the sacrifices women, particularly women of color, made to navigate a world that was often unwelcoming. Benedict does an excellent job exploring the internal and familial conflict that Belle must have faced, along with the broader societal forces that shaped her decisions. Her parents marriage ended when her father encouraged her to reveal herself as black contrary to her mother's desire to hide her true identify to allow her to enjoy a more successful career. A great book for book discussion groups.

Great review of a great book. It generated a very good conversation with my F2F book group last year. It made my top 10 list last year.

I really enjoyed this one. Nice review

Great review, John. My F2F book club also had a rather spirited discussion.

Great review. I enjoye this and am advocating for it to be one of our F2F book club selections next year.

The book was good, not outstandingly written, but it got me to visit the wonderful Morgan Library!