Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

34 reviews

just_one_more_chapter_ok's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The story world be a remarkable success story for any woman during the Gilded Age. It is truly amazing when you add in that she was African American and passing due to the lighter tone of her skin.  
The book was well researched and I believe the collaboration between the two authors made for a compelling and realistic telling of Belle's story..

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, Colonisation, and Classism

jaycialt's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book pulled me out of a deep reading slump. It was historical, lovable, thought-provoking journey. There were several themes that carried throughout via the characters and time frame. Read this if you love period pieces, history, art and culture plus family ties.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Abortion, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Sexism, Antisemitism, and War

alissa_the_barista's review

informative

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Sexism

Moderate: Infidelity, Antisemitism, Abortion, and Alcohol

Minor: Death and Death of parent

theliterarylair's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It might be because I'm not used to reading historical fiction, but I first found this book very difficult to get into. 

While parts of this story are certainly problematic (very questionable dynamics 🚩🚩), I feel happy to have had the opportunity to learn more about this truly inspirational woman.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism

leannanecdote's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Hate crime, Sexism, Slavery, and War

kaypringle's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This novel took me on an overwhelmingly awakening experience. I honestly felt like an ancestor was speaking to me through these pages; sharing their triumphs and follies and all the hurdles in between. The one me absolutely minute and very minor detail that would’ve made this story hit home is if Murray’s Name was listed first on the cover but I know that I don’t have full background on the collaboration and that alphabetically is doesn’t work along with a slew of other factors that make this tiny hang up illogical and pretty meaningless. Despite this very small little thing this collaboration between Murray and Benedict was beautiful and painted a magnificent picture of emotions and experiences in my head, heart and soul and I am so thankful that they have chosen to retell Belle’s life in this manner, it is that I believe a read all must experience.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, Abortion, and War

nroberts016's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Lesbophobia, and Classism

Minor: Antisemitism, Abortion, and War

marrireadsandrambles's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual content, Antisemitism, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Minor: Grief, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia

bendercath's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book blew my mind. The tenacity of Belle in this time, this place, this situation … really was incredible. I loved the descriptions of her wit and intelligence, her encounters with colleagues, family, and “enemies.” This book has really left me thinking. Thank you so much for such a carefully and thoughtfully researched book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Sexism

Minor: Abortion

kaycie51782's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book tells the story of JP Morgan's personal librarian, a Black woman who passes herself as Portuguese in early 1900s New York. It is a fascinating story that was incredibly eye opening. They tell the story of how they are able to live as a white family, not shying away from that trauma. The book talks about the immediate post Civil War South, and the hope that was sadly quickly dashed.

This book covers a lot of deep topics, and it doesn't hold much back. Be warned: there blatant racism, misogyny, heavy alcohol consumption, abortion, abandonment...

My main criticism of the book is that it's told in first person, but it very deliberately and overtly points things out. I think telling it in omniscient third person would have felt less like I was hearing a summary than a story. It's like in video games where the next person you need to talk to is highlighted, the author basically points and says "Look at this" instead of molding it into the story.

The book is less about what is in the library (though it is discussed) and more about how she loves through the world carefully, deliberately, and choosing to hide in plain sight. It was a fascinating look at life in 1900s New York as a woman, moving in orbit around the ultra rich (Morgan, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, etc.) but being constantly terrified of having it all taken away.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Antisemitism, Grief, Abortion, Alcohol, and Classism