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Celia's Reviews > The Personal Librarian
The Personal Librarian
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Celia's review
bookshelves: 2021-pub, bookbrowse, netgalley, ten-year-challenge, 2021-read, 2021-kindle-counted, historical-fiction-read, fav-authors
Feb 06, 2021
bookshelves: 2021-pub, bookbrowse, netgalley, ten-year-challenge, 2021-read, 2021-kindle-counted, historical-fiction-read, fav-authors
I am reading an early copy of this book. It is about Marion Greener, a light skinned black woman. In order to realize her dreams of a career, she changes her name to Belle LaCosta Greene, and passes herself off as white. She becomes the personal librarian for J. P. Morgan who is building and stocking his own personal library, the Pierpont Morgan Library.
I am reading this book during Black History Month. How ironic to be reading about a woman who feels that the only way to get ahead is to deny her blackness. It is 1903 and she is probably right, but I am saddened by this attitude.
Contrast that with another book I am reading, 42 Today. It is a book describing the activism of Jackie Robinson 45 years later. What a huge difference.
The Personal Librarian is very well written and in the voice of Belle. I think that Benedict has put the exact proper words in her mouth, depicting Belle as a highly educated speaker and thinker.
I recommend this historical fiction book as one that really makes you think.
4 stars
I am reading this book during Black History Month. How ironic to be reading about a woman who feels that the only way to get ahead is to deny her blackness. It is 1903 and she is probably right, but I am saddened by this attitude.
Contrast that with another book I am reading, 42 Today. It is a book describing the activism of Jackie Robinson 45 years later. What a huge difference.
The Personal Librarian is very well written and in the voice of Belle. I think that Benedict has put the exact proper words in her mouth, depicting Belle as a highly educated speaker and thinker.
I recommend this historical fiction book as one that really makes you think.
4 stars
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Reading Progress
January 20, 2021
–
Started Reading
January 20, 2021
– Shelved
January 20, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-pub
January 20, 2021
– Shelved as:
bookbrowse
January 20, 2021
– Shelved as:
netgalley
February 7, 2021
– Shelved as:
ten-year-challenge
February 7, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-read
February 7, 2021
–
Finished Reading
February 25, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-kindle-counted
March 10, 2022
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction-read
May 23, 2022
– Shelved as:
fav-authors
Comments Showing 1-18 of 18 (18 new)
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by
Diane
(new)
Feb 06, 2021 09:11AM
It sounds like a lovely book.
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Diane wrote: "It sounds like a lovely book."Thank you Diane. It is a lovely book and eye-opening as well!!
Sharon wrote: "Really nice review Celia :)"Thank you Dear Sharon. xxoo
Dale wrote: "Thoughtful review Celia."Thank you Dale. With this book, it is easy to be thoughtful.
Great review. It is very sad that people of color have to deny their heritage to get ahead. I can only hope to one day live in a colorblind world. I certainly hope I live to see it.
Ashlee wrote: "Great review. It is very sad that people of color have to deny their heritage to get ahead. I can only hope to one day live in a colorblind world. I certainly hope I live to see it."TY Ashlee. I have read a few reviews and seem to be the only one to note the sadness of this book. I am glad that you agree with me.
DNAPremium wrote: "good"TY
Sounds good! Excited to read it!
Mary wrote: "Sounds good! Excited to read it!"Thank you Mary. It really is an eye opener!! And well written too.
Excellent review! Looking forward to reading it.
Sharon wrote: "Excellent review! Looking forward to reading it."Thank you Sharon. There are other 'passing' books that you might like.
Passing
The Vanishing Half
Thanks so much! I have added Passing to my TBR list after reading the description. I have read The Vanishing Half. Looking forward to sharing reviews and recommendations!
Sharon wrote: "Thanks so much! I have added Passing to my TBR list after reading the description. I have read The Vanishing Half. Looking forward to sharing reviews and recommendations!"Sharon, thanks for asking. 😘
Passing for white was not a attitude, it was a opportunity for a better life. that some could not get.
