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sarakomo 's review for:
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
informative
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
2023: A good start to the new year
This fictionalized account of the true story of Belle da Costa Greene was a great dive into the past and a wonderful way to learn about a very brave woman. She was portrayed as much less of a librarian, and much more of an art curator. Which is cool, just not what the title of this book originally led me to believe. I hope this is true to the real Belle da Costa Greene and what she found most interesting. There were parts where they got <i>really</i> into art that I just couldn't get excited about. But it was very fun reading about Bernard's time spent at the Boston Public Library back in the late 1800's.
That all being said - I cannot believe how they interpreted her love life! Now, it could be that most of what they made up is true. However, the afterward goes into some detail about how much embellishments and liberties the two authors took upon themselves to create some drama in the book. First off, I know I don't like age gaps, but 40 years is WAY too much, no matter who it is. Secondly, I don't know if I could stick with a man who ditched me while I was incapacitated after having an abortion. Belle deserved SO much better; all of the men in her life were incredibly toxic.
This fictionalized account of the true story of Belle da Costa Greene was a great dive into the past and a wonderful way to learn about a very brave woman. She was portrayed as much less of a librarian, and much more of an art curator. Which is cool, just not what the title of this book originally led me to believe. I hope this is true to the real Belle da Costa Greene and what she found most interesting. There were parts where they got <i>really</i> into art that I just couldn't get excited about. But it was very fun reading about Bernard's time spent at the Boston Public Library back in the late 1800's.
That all being said - I cannot believe how they interpreted her love life! Now, it could be that most of what they made up is true. However, the afterward goes into some detail about how much embellishments and liberties the two authors took upon themselves to create some drama in the book. First off, I know I don't like age gaps, but 40 years is WAY too much, no matter who it is. Secondly, I don't know if I could stick with a man who ditched me while I was incapacitated after having an abortion. Belle deserved SO much better; all of the men in her life were incredibly toxic.