Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

29 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

nadia_not_there's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Abortion, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Alcoholism, Antisemitism, and Death of parent

claudine2's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

A very interesting historical fiction novel about Belle da Costa Greene, personal librarian to J.P. Morgan.

I enjoyed learning about the early manuscripts and art that she helped Mr. Morgan acquire. It makes me wish I had appreciated the early books I saw at the British Museum more and also makes me want to visit NYC to see the library and its holdings.

This was my 2nd Marie Benedict and 1st Victoria Christopher Murray book. Excited to see that they also collaborated on The First Ladies!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Antisemitism, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Alcohol, 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

katie_m26's review

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Solid 4.5 stars for me. I felt like this book tackled race during an era that I haven’t heard talked about much. Belle’s story is one of strength, courage, and humanity. She went through struggles and triumphs that are displayed beautifully. While it is noted by the authors that the story is not 100% historically accurate, I felt that it was completely plausible and an extremely intriguing read

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Racism, Abortion, and Death of parent

gris_zorra's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, and War

dev921's review against another edition

dark informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Classism

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

freshbatchofbooks's review against another edition

informative 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia

Moderate: Infidelity, Antisemitism, and Abortion

Minor: Death and Death of parent

carriewnettles's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Abortion, and Death of parent

Minor: War