Tuesday, June 29, 2021

The Personal Librarian; Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray - First Chapter First paragraph Tuesday Intros


Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews
Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book we are reading or plan to read. This week's pick is part of a book tour. The book releases today!

The Personal Librarian; Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Berkley (The Penguin Group) - June 29, 2021

Chapter 1
November 28. 1905
Princeton, New Jersey

"The Old North bell tolls the hour, and I realize that I'll be late.  I long to break into a sprint, my voluminous skirts lifted, my legs flying along the Princeton University pathways.  But just as I gather the heavy material, I hear Mama's voice: Belle, be a lady at all times.  I sigh; a lady would never run.

I release the fabric and slow down as I weave through Princeton'a leafy Gothic landscape, designed to look like Cambridge and Oxford.  I know I must do nothing to draw any kind of extra attention.  By the time I pass Blair Arch, my stride is quick but acceptable for a lady."

What do you think? Read more or pass on this one?  

Here's more from the book's description:

Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator. A graduate of Boston College and the Boston University School of Law, she is the New York Times and USAToday bestselling author of The Only Woman in the RoomThe Mystery of Mrs. ChristieCarnegie's MaidThe Other Einstein, and Lady Clementine. All have been translated into multiple languages. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

 

Victoria Christopher Murray is an acclaimed author with more than one million books in print. She has written more than twenty novels, including Stand Your Ground, a NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Fiction and a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.


The remarkable story of J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.

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.

25 comments:

  1. I just read a review and the person really liked this book. I am not sure if I will read it or not yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the reviews seem pretty good. From the overview I'm quite curious.

      Delete
  2. I don't know if the first paragraph would have caught my attention, but the idea Belle da Costa Greene certainly does!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to find out more - will start it in a few days.

      Delete
  3. What an amazing story! Great opening lines and blurb. Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “DREAM GIRL”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dream Girl is a fun ride as well - hope to post my review tomorrow.

      Delete
  4. This is very interesting. I'm definitely curious, hence, you should continue!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'd keep reading. I like the description of the book. Sounds good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. In my opinion, Marie Benedict is one of the best historical fiction writers of our time and I am looking forward to reading this book, which is patiently sitting in one of my reading piles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is very popular and the reviews thus far seem really good.

      Delete
  7. I'm looking forward to reading this one. I will be curious what you think about it when you finish it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd definitely keep reading...but then, everything about this book intrigues me. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, when I read the overview it was pretty sure it would be one I'd enjoy.

      Delete
  9. I was just reading about this book on Goodreads. Based on that and your excerpt, I think you may have a winner here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had my hands on this one this morning while briefly browsing in a Barnes & Noble store. While it is an intriguing story, definitely one I'd like to know more about, I found the old fashioned prose style a bit of a turnoff. Not sure I could make it through this one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree about the old-fashioned prose but, I can understand why the style is being used. Hope to start it soon.

      Delete
  11. I think the opening is pretty good. I'd love to know more about Belle da Costa Greene, so I'd probably keep reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope to enjoy this and will be starting it in a day or so.

      Delete
  12. I'd keep reading. I have several books by this author on my TBR but haven't jumped in yet. It seems like people really like the author or really don't so I've been a little hesitant. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.