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
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.