Book Notes | The Personal Librarian
This historical fiction book written by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray narrates the compelling story of archivist and librarian Belle da Costa Greene, who developed the Pierpont Morgan Library, now the Morgan Library & Museum, in Manhattan during the early 20th century.
Belle had a secret: her mother changed Belle’s name from Belle Marion Greener to Belle da Costa Green and concealed their Black heritage to protect her from discrimination. This alienated Belle’s father, Richard Theodore Greener, the first Black American to graduate from Harvard (1870), who was an activist for racial justice and dean of Howard University.
Belle's relationship with J.P. Morgan was complicated. He was a curmudgeon with a temper. She was constantly on guard to keep anyone from discovering her cultural roots. Belle did not have a physical relationship with Morgan, but they were deeply connected through their love of books. Despite his level of entitlement, she found a way to work with him, to develop his archives into a world-class collection, and to keep secret her whole professional life that she was African American.
The Personal Librarian went beyond describing Belle’s position as personal librarian and how she developed a talent for locating and purchasing many important manuscripts. In the second half of the book, we learn of her interactions with New York feminists and her love affair with Bernard Berenson, a renowned American art historian and author who had an “open marriage” with his wife. Bella stepped into the world of the arts with flair, learned to flirt, and outcompeted others in auctions and sales of ancient books and manuscripts as she built the library.
Our book group discussion was rich and lively. Members really liked the book, though a couple felt the writing was “stiff.” We agreed Belle's story was the most compelling thread, and that as whites we have no clue what people of color went through back then and even now. One member, who said she usually does not like historical fiction, found it “readable and likeable.” Another recommended other works by Marie Benedict: The Only Woman in the Room, about Hedy Lamarr, the film actress and scientist, and The Other Einstein, about Einstein’s first wife, whose research he took and published as his own. One recommended the movie Passing, about a woman who passes as white in the 1920s, even concealing her heritage from her husband.
I recommend reading The Personal Librarian authors' notes that describe their sources for Belle's story.
— Judy Helgen, UMRA Book Club I member
Book Club I to meet September 16
Fri, Sep 16 2022, 2pm
Judy Helgen will lead the discussion of The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray when the UMRA Book Club I meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 16.
Email Pat Tollefson for more information, including suggestions for starting a new book club.
Upcoming Events
Silk Parachute, an anthology of essays and the 40th of 44 published books by author John McPhee, will be the topic of discussion when UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club meets via Zoom from 2 to 3:30 p.m. CDT on April 26.
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.