steds's review against another edition
3.0
As audiobook. Dear lord I haven’t hated a narrator more- the voice actor just was terrible, stilting, zero capacity to handle the task of this book. Other than that fascinating read. Learned a lot about a figure I would have otherwise not known- complex, poised at a unique point in history and context. Would’ve enjoyed more had I read it hard copy.
ohsheread's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
alixglz's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
inkwitchery's review against another edition
4.0
BELLE GREENE by Alexandra Lapierre
This solidly written, meticulously researched and pseudo-biographical book will transport you to late 1800s through early 1900s New York where you will follow the inspiring life of Belle da Costa Greene.
It starts when Belle, her mother and siblings vow to never reveal their true African American heritage to anyone. Since they were light skinned, they were able to “pass” as white in their new community. Their promise to one another leads all of them to make many difficult decisions throughout their lives.
Then Belle meets the magnate JP Morgan and lands her dream job - to be the personal librarian and curator for his library. With her skills, intelligence and wit, she becomes the highest paid woman in the US, who is respected and renowned in her field. Belle defied the odds and her circumstances in a society that was (and still is) deeply prejudiced and racist.
There is SO much history within these pages! I was compelled to look up the locations, artwork and other bits mentioned in the story. Belle’s remarkable life is one that needs to be taught in all schools.
**ARC courtesy of @NetGalley & Europa Editions
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
This solidly written, meticulously researched and pseudo-biographical book will transport you to late 1800s through early 1900s New York where you will follow the inspiring life of Belle da Costa Greene.
It starts when Belle, her mother and siblings vow to never reveal their true African American heritage to anyone. Since they were light skinned, they were able to “pass” as white in their new community. Their promise to one another leads all of them to make many difficult decisions throughout their lives.
Then Belle meets the magnate JP Morgan and lands her dream job - to be the personal librarian and curator for his library. With her skills, intelligence and wit, she becomes the highest paid woman in the US, who is respected and renowned in her field. Belle defied the odds and her circumstances in a society that was (and still is) deeply prejudiced and racist.
There is SO much history within these pages! I was compelled to look up the locations, artwork and other bits mentioned in the story. Belle’s remarkable life is one that needs to be taught in all schools.
**ARC courtesy of @NetGalley & Europa Editions
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
mitchk's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a fascinating story of the life of Belle Greene - a spirited and determined young woman who rose to become the highest paid woman in 1920s America, as the librarian of the JP Morgan library. With a fierce passion for books and manuscripts she built the library collection and laid the foundation for public access. Inspiring enough - and then you remember she did this whilst holding a secret that could ruin her. Great story - I wish I’d of read it before our epic trip to the library in 2019. It reads love narrative non fiction - deeply researched and faithful to source material whilst also being a page turner.
mweaver's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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
5.0
annemariewhelehan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
5.0
I adored this book. Based on a true story, which I didn’t realise till the end, so made it even more enjoyable. The daughter of a black activist, she presents herself as a white person. She achieves great success. Born at the turn of the century, we learn her story through to the end. Aside from the black/white element to the book, there is a huge amount about setting up libraries in the 20th century which I found fascinating.
ldcornell's review
5.0
I had this as 4-stars. I couldn't do it. It has to be five :-)
What an incredibly well-written, thoroughly researched , and totally fascinating novel that tells the story of Belle da Costa Greene, who became the director of magnate J. Pierpont Morgan’s library in 1905.
Belle became a librarian at Princeton in 1902, where she met and impressed JP Morgan’s nephew. From him she learned a great deal about collections and collecting. When he suggested to his uncle that she might make a fine director for the personal library he was building, he (eventually) hired her. She was a dynamo ... hard-working, flamboyant, extremely intelligent, beautiful, and a most talented appraiser and connoisseur of manuscripts and works of art. She became the highest paid woman in America and was well-known in the top auction houses and in the most prominent social and cultural circles. (And she knew many of the men in these realms intimately.)
In fact, Belle da Costa Greene was born Belle Marion Greener, daughter of a lawyer (the first Black graduate of Harvard) and a Black mother. By 1898 her father had left the family, and her mother and siblings decided that they would leave their extended family, change their name, and move from Washington, DC, and ... being light-skinned ... pass as white. They fully realized that they could never go back, and if they were discovered in a violently racist America, they would lose everything.
What an incredibly well-written, thoroughly researched , and totally fascinating novel that tells the story of Belle da Costa Greene, who became the director of magnate J. Pierpont Morgan’s library in 1905.
Belle became a librarian at Princeton in 1902, where she met and impressed JP Morgan’s nephew. From him she learned a great deal about collections and collecting. When he suggested to his uncle that she might make a fine director for the personal library he was building, he (eventually) hired her. She was a dynamo ... hard-working, flamboyant, extremely intelligent, beautiful, and a most talented appraiser and connoisseur of manuscripts and works of art. She became the highest paid woman in America and was well-known in the top auction houses and in the most prominent social and cultural circles. (And she knew many of the men in these realms intimately.)
In fact, Belle da Costa Greene was born Belle Marion Greener, daughter of a lawyer (the first Black graduate of Harvard) and a Black mother. By 1898 her father had left the family, and her mother and siblings decided that they would leave their extended family, change their name, and move from Washington, DC, and ... being light-skinned ... pass as white. They fully realized that they could never go back, and if they were discovered in a violently racist America, they would lose everything.