Wow and wow
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray kept me captivated for a weekend. I tore through this book and savored the writing, the characters, and the impressive amount of research the authors did to keep this book so authentic. Kudos.
Belle da Costa Greene is a black woman passing as white in the 1900s. She's brilliant in the world of art, books, and negotiating. As THE personal librarian for J.P. Morgan, she helps build and curate an impressive world of rare manuscripts, books, and artworks for the new Morgan Library.
Her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating made this a world class collection.
Her secret is the story.
Trust me. Just read this book and learn and appreciate an amazing woman. Who cares about her color? At that time, she was a woman beyond it all. Wow and wow and wow.
Hi Joanne - sounds fascinating ... just bought as could easily be a present in the future ... looking forward to reading it - I'd never heard of the story before - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteOh you are in for a treat. Then go to NYC and visit the actual Morgan Library. It is a gem!
DeleteHi Joanne - I may write this up (in a while) ... as it is certainly intriguing ... as you said I was in for a treat - sadly the Morgan Library visit may not happen - but who knows ... unlikely I suspect. Having just looked up the JPML and seen a link to some of its contents - I may go that route when the time comes ... with a link back here.
ReplyDeleteBelle da Costa Greene is an intriguing figure from history and her 'help' at the JP Morgan library and then with the Museum. Fascinating book and story - great ... thanks for introducing her to 'us'. Cheers Hilary