THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN

Narrator Robin Miles employs her terrific performance skills to enhance this historical novel on the life of Belle da Costa Greene. Born Belle Marion Greener--daughter of activist Richard Greener, Harvard's first Black graduate--she "passes" as a white Portuguese woman while working as the personal librarian of financier J.P. Morgan. Belle is an astute observer of the wealthy class. Her shrewd intellect, charm, and, most of all, her boldness enable her to become an important figure in the male-dominated field of arts acquisitions. Miles creates vibrant portrayals of each Morgan family member, as well as a mélange of New York and European society, affording listeners an illuminating picture of the opulence, prejudices, and restraints of this insular social milieu. M.J. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2021]