Belle’s painful secret and her inspiring courage will capture – and break – your heart. This unflinching look at one woman’s meteoric rise through New York’s high society is enthralling, lyrical, and rife with danger.

Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star By holding up an unflinching mirror and illuminating this little-known chapter in American history, these two gifted authors have penned a work that is a must-read.” “An extraordinary tale that is both brilliant historical fiction and an important and timely commentary on racism. Like Belle and her employer, Benedict and Murray had almost instant chemistry, and as a result, the book's narrative is seamless.I became hooked.” “Benedict, who is white, and Murray, who is African American, do a good job of depicting the tightrope Belle walked, and her internal conflict from both sides-wanting to adhere to her mother's wishes and move through the world as white even as she longed to show her father she was proud of her race. “Historical fiction at its best… The Personal Librarian spins a complex tale of deceit and allegiance as told through books.” 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.

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. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. 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.īut Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. 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.

Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post!Ī remarkable novel about J.

The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A Good Morning America* Book Club Pick!

Authors of the personal librarian