- Ashley S.
- Wednesday, September 28, 2022
“Changing your name is easy. Changing your soul is impossible.” - Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray
History has never ceased to amaze me. It's been my first love since middle school. So much that I spent the entirety of my undergraduate career pouring through archives, articles, manuscripts and more to get just a small glimpse of the past. Even with an educational path centered on learning the ins and outs of history, I still find myself quite surprised by the individuals and events that seemingly bypass common/universal knowledge. Prior to diving into the pages of The Personal Librarian, I knew nothing of Bella da Costa Greene and the role that she played in helping collect and curate JP Morgan's personal library. I was even more surprised to learn that she was a Black woman passing as White.
The novel itself does detail the various books, artwork, and artifacts that Greene collects on behalf of Morgan; however, the true core of the story details the complex feelings and emotions that coexist with the decision for a Black person to identify as White. The pure danger and sacrifice that comes with such a difficult decision in hopes of living a better life are felt across every single word and every single page. It was these inner thoughts and feelings that resonated with me most as a reader. For some, the decision to be White passing may seem easy, but it is clear through this narrative the enormous amount of sacrifices that coincide with such a life changing decision. Through the course of the novel, Greene reckons with the inability to have children, the constant danger that she and her family members face, and the fear of having to navigate a society that deems one's complexion to be the determining factor of worth/value. With the added pressure of having to provide for an entire family, Greene's ability to balance everything never ceased to amaze me. Some may assume that those who historically chose to be White passing had it easy; however, it is clear from this novel and many other historical accounts that these thoughts prove to be false. Like others, Greene battled with her role in helping the rest of the Black community especially during a time when laws that were established to protect Black US citizens were being overturned and replaced by new laws determined to support systemic racism.
In addition to their discussion about race, both authors work together to also illustrate the obstacles that Greene overcame as a woman in a male dominated profession. Her knowledge and skills were constantly tested and challenged and she was forced to demand the respect of other curators and collectors through her skills at society events including auctions. This little piece of intersectionality (being Black and a woman) made for an even more robust narrative. Along with the personal relationships Greene had with her family, JP Morgan, his children, other librarians, and more, readers can expect to get an interesting and complex fictionalized account of Greene's life. Though filled with tough discussions related to racism and misogyny, it is also filled with moments of happiness and joy especially those moments where Greene builds her way up to becoming one of the most well known collectors/curators in the world.
The Personal Librarian isn't one to miss even if you're not a huge fan of historical fiction. The text is accessible and captivating and reminds us all of the parts of history that sometimes become forgotten. It is a true and constant reminder of the experiences and challenges faced by Black Americans that have had a lasting impact to this very day.