The Personal Librarian

Trigger warnings: racism, antisemitism, abortion, parental abandonment

During the early 1900s, Belle is a colored woman passing for white and is hired by J. P. Morgan to work on his library.

Belle da Costa Greene, born Belle Marion Greener, is a colored woman living in New York City at the beginning of the twentieth century. Because of her light complexion, she is able to "pass" for white and uses the name da Costa to explain her olive skin as a result of having a Portuguese grandmother.

Belle is working at the Princeton library in Boston when she hears from patron Junius Morgan that his cousin J. P. Morgan is looking for a librarian for his personal Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City.

Belle and Mr. Morgan's relationship is an odd one, with her as a beloved daughter most of the time and him like her father. Morgan shows intense ownership of Belle as if she is one of the items in his personal collection. He becomes jealous if another man shows her affection, like a child getting mad when someone plays with his favorite toy. There is also a slight romantic relationship between the two despite him being decades her senior.

Belle must deal with her personal issues of pretending to be white while knowing inside that her life is a lie. She must also deal with romantic entanglements while keeping her huge secret from the men she becomes involved with.

Robin Miles delivers a great performance with her narration of Belle's story.

Recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially those looking for non-white narratives. Lovers of art and antiquities may also find something to enjoy.

Marie Benedict is a lawyer and bestselling author who writes historical fiction about women.

Victoria Christopher Murray is a former financier and grandmother. The Queens native now resides in Washinton, D.C.

Publisher: Berkley (print); Penguin Audio

Narrator: Robin Miles

Running Time: 12 hours, 23 minutes

Length: 347 pages

Release Date: June 29, 2021

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I also received a digital audio recording of this title from the publisher through the Volumes App as a librarian review copy. I read the latter edition.