The instant New York Times Bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club Pick!
Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR and a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post!
A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.
In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. 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.
But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. 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.
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.
“Every element of this blockbuster historical novel is compelling and revelatory.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
MARIE BENEDICT
Once a New York City lawyer, Marie Benedict long dreamed about a job unraveling the larger mysteries of the past as an archaeologist or historian. While drafting her first book, she realized that she could excavate lost truths lurking in history through fiction. Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie authored THE CHRYSALIS, THE MAP THIEF, and BRIGID OF KILDARE. She is also the author of New York Times bestselling THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, THE OTHER EINSTEIN, and many more, including the forthcoming THE MITFORD AFFAIR. A graduate of Boston College and the Boston University School of Law, she lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
Represented by Laura Dail.
VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY
A native of Queens, Victoria earned a B.A. in Communication Disorders from Hampton University and an MBA from New York University. Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before launching her entrepreneurial venture, a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. Murray is represented by Liza Dawson Associates.